Every so often, the world of baseball card collecting gets a shake-up that has enthusiasts buzzing, and Topps is no stranger to orchestrating these moments. With the release of its ‘All Kings’ insert in the 2025 Topps Baseball Series 2, the card maker has redefined what it means to wear the crown in baseball. After the resounding success of their ‘All Aces’ insert honoring the game’s elite pitchers in Series 1, Topps pivots to celebrate the regal company of major league hitters with a set that’s bound to make a splash.
It’s not every day that a blend of athletic acclaim and nostalgia is captured on a 2.5 by 3.5-inch canvas, but ‘All Kings’ attempts precisely that. This new insert rolls out the red carpet for today’s titans of the plate, including Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, whose epic moments in recent seasons have made them household names—and rightly earned them the throne.
Being featured in this illustrious set are 25 players whose bat-wielding achievements have left an indelible mark on the 2025 season, as well as on the annals of baseball history. Besides Judge and Ohtani, familiar faces like Juan Soto, Elly De La Cruz, Bryce Harper, and Bobby Witt Jr. grace the checklist, continuing their impressive careers with a fervor that attracts both fans and collectors. Each addition to the lineup is a nod to the extraordinary talent spread across today’s batting ranks, reassuring hobbyists that each pack contains a glittering bit of potential.
Among the sluggers stealing the show is James Wood, a rookie stepping into the limelight with the Washington Nationals. It’s a season to remember as Wood has racked up stats that have made top scouts take notice—11 home runs and 25 RBIs are nothing short of dazzling for someone so fresh to the major league arena. Wood’s inclusion could very well be the unicorn chase card within this set, especially if Topps decides to sprinkle a few numbered or autographed versions into the mix later in the season.
But what elevates ‘All Kings’ beyond a mere contemporary showcase is its tribute to historical luminaries of the game. The inclusion of revered legends like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson, Derek Jeter, and Ken Griffey Jr. spins an awe-inspiring narrative across generations. Their presence stitches a thread of continuity through time, beckoning collectors of all ages to dream of power-plays past while hunting for treasure today.
The market landscape, primed by the ‘All Aces’ inserts, sets a tantalizing stage for ‘All Kings.’ If the collectible card stock followed from pitchers has burst with value, hitting legends are poised to make a fortune. The sales numbers tell a compelling tale: Shohei Ohtani’s ‘All Aces’ autograph card, numbered to a mere ten, recently passed hands for a wallet-emptying $6,500. By comparison, hearts raced when his base insert, graded a PSA 10, fetched a cool $1,775. Even Paul Skenes, a pitching prospect, witnessed one of his ‘All Aces’ graded cards sell for $1,800 earlier this year. If pitchers can draw such price tags, expect position players like Judge and Ohtani to become the prized jewels of Series 2.
Anointed with an artful balance of sleek design and well-chosen themes, Topps sustains its reputation for crafting sought-after inserts. While ‘All Aces’ has doubtlessly cemented a favored place among trading card enthusiasts, the incoming ‘All Kings’ feels ready to build upon—or perhaps even surpass—that legacy. This kaleidoscope of batting prowess is bound to resonate with collectors, whether they covet the latest rookies, revere seasoned icons, or want to amplify their collections with the era’s elite like Judge and Ohtani.
From charismatic concepts to card art that dazzles, Topps is not just reiterating a royal strategy; they’re setting a new standard. If you’re inclined toward collectible memorabilia that captures the essence of the sport at its most majestic, ‘All Kings’ is not just a series. It’s an invitation to partake in history, one awe-inspiring pack at a time. For loyalists who savor the crack of the bat and the thrill of a chase card, the 2025 Topps Series 2 presents an offering rich with opportunity—and possibly, a crown jewel for the ages.