Twelve years ago I wrote a post about the return of the Topps Future Star(s) label and my lack of appreciation for it when Topps first broke it out in the late 1980s (although it also used "Future Stars" to describe its three-player prospect cards at the start of the decade).
Since first returning in 2014 -- actually its second return as the Future Stars went on hiatus for 1992 and 1993 before coming back in 1994 -- the Future Star has continued strong for every Topps flagship set except for one. It's so much a standard part of the base set now that I don't think anyone even notices it anymore, at least certainly not like collectors did in the late 1980s.
There's a reason for that, I think, outside of showing up every year. I went through the last 12 years and broke down the Future Stars for each. The idea for this post began as a dissection of the Future Star(s) logo, but I found totaling Future Stars for each year more interesting.
Let's start with the return:
2014
18 - Jurickson Profar, Rangers
24 - Manny Machado, Orioles
63 - Tyler Skaggs, Diamondbacks
89 - Jarred Cosart, Astros
92 - Martin Perez, Rangers
136 - Will Middlebrooks, Red Sox
169 - Nick Franklin, Mariners
179 - Gerrit Cole, Pirates
190 - Kevin Gausman, Orioles
215 - Jean Segura, Brewers
266 - Zack Wheeler, Mets
283 - Andrelton Simmons, Braves
288 - Julio Teheran, Braves
293 - Mike Zunino, Mariners
383 - Chris Archer, Rays
414 - Michael Wacha, Cardinals
439 - Jackie Bradley Jr., Red Sox
468 - Wilin Rosario, Rockies
474 - Carlos Martinez, Cardinals
508 - Sonny Gray, Athletics
521 - Anthony Rendon, Nationals
528 - Shelby Miller, Cardinals
530 - Danny Salazar, Indians
555 - Adam Eaton, White Sox
581 - Tony Cingrani, Reds
611 - Patrick Corbin, Diamondbacks
Total: 26
If that seems like a lot, it was the second-most Future Stars for a set at the time. The 1994 set had 28. But it's still quite a jump over the 5 and 6 Future Stars that Topps was handing out when it first began.
There were actually more Future Stars in this set, but they were short-printed parallels of players' base cards so I didn't count them.
2015
30 - Tanner Roark, Nationals
37 - Arismendy Alcantara, Cubs
58 - Evan Gattis, Braves
63 - Chris Owings, Diamondbacks
90 - Marcus Stroman, Blue Jays
129 - Jacob deGrom, Mets
147 - Andrew Heaney, Marlins
151 - C.J. Cron, Angels
158 - Kevin Kiermaier, Rays
176 - Jose Abreu, White Sox
253 - Gregory Polanco, Pirates
294 - Aaron Sanchez, Blue Jays
306 - Juan Lagares, Mets
318 - George Springer, Astros
333 - Billy Hamilton, Reds
358 - Jon Singleton, Astros
370 - Marcell Ozuna, Marlins
385 - James Paxton, Mariners
389 - Mookie Betts, Red Sox
480 - Matt Harvey, Mets
491 - Rougned Odor, Rangers
497 - Hunter Strickland, Giants
503 - Joe Panick, Giants
509 - Danny Santana, Twins
521 - Nick Castellanos, Tigers
523 - Christian Bethancourt, Braves
527 - Carlos Martinez, Cardinals
532 - Dellin Betances, Yankees
539 - Jimmy Nelson, Brewers
544 - Travis d'Arnaud, Mets
597 - Matt Shoemaker, Angels
603 - Jose Fernandez, Marlins
634 - Roenis Elias, Mariners
653 - Rafael Montero, Mets
656 - Adeiny Hechaverria, Marlins
Total: 35
A new high. The Future Star isn't rooted in any kind of standard, like the rookie cup is so I don't know if Topps had any formula at this point. It doesn't seem like it.
2016
19 - Delino DeShields Jr., Rangers
43 - Noah Syndergaard, Mets
54 - Jung Ho Kang, Pirates
68 - Odubel Herrera, Phillies
91 - Yasmani Grandal, Dodgers
95 - Kole Calhoun, Angels
97 - Ender Incarte, Diamondbacks
110 - J.D. Martinez, Tigers
121 - Roberto Osuna, Blue Jays
132 - Joe Ross, Nationals
140 - Carlos Carrasco, Indians
186 - Yasmany Tomas, Diamondbacks
205 - Taylor Jungmann, Brewers
207 - Maikel Franco, Phillies
224 - Billy Burns, Athletics
242 - Matt Wisler, Braves
258 - Devon Travis, Blue Jays
263 - Joc Pederson, Dodgers
267 - Chris Heston, Giants
279 - Alex Guerrero, Dodgers
288 - Jake Lamb, Diamondbacks
316 - Jake Odorizzi, Rays
326 - Kevin Plawecki Mets
350 - Kris Bryant, Cubs
391- Matt Boyd, Tigers
402 - Daniel Norris, Tigers
439 - Francisco Lindor, Indians
440 - Tommy Pham, Cardinals
523 - Blake Swihart, Red Sox
524 - Justin Nicolino, Marlins
528 - Byron Buxton, Twins
551 - Steven Matz, Mets
562 - Addison Russell, Cubs
563 - Lance McCullers, Astros
585 - Raisel Iglesias, Reds
647 - Eduardo Rodriguez, Red Sox
650 - Carlos Correa, Astros
656 - Randal Grichuk, Cardinals
666 - J.T. Realmuto, Marlins
667 - James McCann, Tigers
668 - Javier Baez, Cubs
686 - Brandon Finnegan, Reds
699 - Justin Bour, Marlins
Total: 43
Wooo, another reason to dislike 2016 Topps, My typing arms are tired! That's the record for Future Stars in a set. I don't remember all of those guys becoming stars.
2017
Nothing.
There were no Future Stars. I didn't notice then, nor at any time since until doing this research. That's how much impact Future Stars were making. Perhaps Topps knew they were handing out too many and went back to the drawing board because when the Future Star returned, there was a clear number in mind.
2018
1 - Aaron Judge, Yankees
42 - Cody Bellinger, Dodgers
118 - Ian Happ, Cubs
167 - Dansby Swanson, Braves
182 - Alex Bregman, Astros
196 - Orlando Arcia, Brewers
249 - Christian Arroyo, Giants
267 - Yoan Moncada, White Sox
285 - Trey Mancini, Orioles
296 - Lewis Brinson, Brewers
366 - Tyler Glasnow, Pirates
374 - Bradley Zimmer, Indians
416 - Derek Fisher, Astros
430 - Manny Margot, Padres
462 - Paul DeJong, Cardinals
556 - Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox
593 - Luke Weaver, Cardinals
607 - Sean Newcomb, Braves
611 - Josh Bell, Pirates
660 - Mitch Haniger, Mariners
Total: 20
A nice, round 20 Future Stars in their return. I wonder if the arrival of Judge and Bellinger was what got Topps back into the FS game?
2019
4 - Dereck Rodriguez, Giants
82 - Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Blue Jays
113 - Willie Calhoun, Rangers
186 - Franmil Reyes, Padres
212 - Brian Anderson, Marlins
265 - Joey Lucchesi, Padres
271 - Shane Bieber, Indians
320 - Ronald Guzman, Rangers
321 - Jack Flaherty, Cardinals
329 - Jordan Hicks, Cardinals
402 - Victor Robles, Nationals
412 - Clint Frazier, Yankees
414 - Michael Soroka, Braves
446 - Francisco Mejia, Padres
472 - Scott Kingery, Phillies
561 - Ozzie Albies, Braves
564 - AustinMeadows, Rays
624 - Amed Rosario, Yankees
655 - Tyler O'Neill, Cardinals
671 - Alex Verdugo, Dodgers
Total: 20
This is the first rainbow Future Stars design since the 1987 and 1988 sets. It won't be the last.
2020
44 - Tommy Edman, Cardinals
46 - Jeff McNeil, Mets
130 - Michael Chavis, Red Sox
179 - Ramon Laureano, Athletics
225 - Oscar Mercado, Indians
244 - Chris Paddock, Padres
266 - Austin Riley, Braves
290 - Nick Senzel, Reds
297 - Mike Yastrzenski, Giants
327 - Cavan Biggio, Blue Jays
355 - Max Fried, Braves
386 - Dakota Hudson, Cardinals
408 - Brendan Rodgers, Rockies
410 - Luis Urias, Brewers
440 - Carter Kieboom, Nationals
447 - Griffin Canning, Angels
574 - Brandon Lowe, Rays
585 - Kyle Tucker, Astros
612 - Luis Arraez, Twins
646 - Kevin Newman, Pirates
Total: 20
The Future Star design is a little difficult to see on this design. But that's a nice, compact checklist with some legitimate stars. I think 20 is the way to go.
2021
46 - Jesus Luzardo, Athletics
83 - Gavin Lux, Dodgers
85 - Brusdar Graterol, Dodgers
116 - Nico Hoerner, Cubs
215 - Justin Dunn, Mariners
240 - Jose Urquidy, Astros
245 - Aristides Aquino, Reds
249 - Trent Grisham, Padres
257 - Brendan McKay, Rays
310 - Bo Bichette, Blue Jays
355 - Dustin May, Dodgers
361 - James Karinchak, Indians
393 - Edwin Rios, Dodgers
427 - Mike Brosseau, Rays
435 - Dylan Cease, White Sox
440 - Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks
518 - Adrian Morejon, Padres
583 - Nick Solak, Rangers
600 - Randy Arozarena, Rays
658 - Albert Alzolay, Cubs
Total: 20
2022
6 - Jazz Chisholm Jr., Marlins
7 - Bobby Dalbec, Red Sox
56 - Ke'Bryan Hayes, Pirates
120 - Andrew Vaughn, White Sox
156 - Logan Gilbert, Mariners
197 - Alex Kirilloff, Twins
223 - Christian Pache, Braves
235 - Jarred Kelenic, Mariners
244 - Shane McClanahan, Rays
248 - Alex Manoah, Blue Jays
388 - Joe Adell, Angels
423 - Tarik Skubal, Tigers
434 - Joey Bart, Giants
452 - Alec Bohm, Phillies
466 - Nick Madrigal, Cubs
470 - Tristan McKenzie, Guardians
511 - Jake Cronenworth, Padres
568 - Keibert Ruiz, Nationals
596 - Trever Larnach, Twins
621 - Sixto Sanchez, Marlins
Total: 20
2023
35 - CJ Abrams, Nationals
149 - Josiah Gray, Nationals
155 - Hunter Greene, Reds
160 - Cal Raleigh, Mariners
195 - George Kirby, Mariners
215 - Wander Franco, Rays
237 - Brandon Marsh, Phillies
242 - Jarren Duran, Red Sox
285 - Oneil Cruz, Pirates
295 - Bryson Stott, Phillies
365 - Spencer Torkelson, Tigers
406 - Nick Lodolo, Reds
422 - Jake McCarthy, Diamondbacks
451 - Royce Lewis, Twins
455 - Lars Nootbaar, Cardinals
505 - Jose Miranda, Twins
559 - Roansy Contreras, Pirates
568 - Alek Thomas, Diamondbacks
587 - MJ Melendez, Royals
629 - Ramon Urias, Orioles
Total: 20
The most in-your-face Future Stars design.
2024
30 - Hunter Brown, Astros
111 - Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles
115 - Bobby Miller, Dodgers
128 - Christopher Morel, Cubs
180 - Anthony Volpe, Yankees
191 - Bo Naylor, Guardians
197 - Eury Perez, Marlins
268 - Gabriel Moreno, Diamondbacks
274 - Riley Greene, Tigers
298 - Logan O'Hoppe, Angels
383 - Francisco Alvarez, Mets
437 - Tanner Bibee, Guardians
447 - Garrett Mitchell, Brewers
471 - Michael Busch, Cubs
513 - Tristan Casas, Red Sox
541 - Miguel Vargas, Dodgers
545 - Zach Neto, Angels
565 - Ezequiel Tovar, Rockies
584 - Matthew Libatore, Cardinals
589 - Taj Bradley, Rays
591 - Nolan Gorman, Cardinals
606 - Brayan Bello, Red Sox
642 - Jordan Walker, Cardinals
679 - Bryce Miller, Mariners
690 - Brett Baty, Mets
Total: 25
Bumped up five for 2024 and the most colorful Future Stars logo yet as Topps returns to the rainbow style and the first script treatment since 2014. Another reason to like 2024 Topps!
2025
72 - Tyler Soderstrom, Athletics
142 - Jordan Westburg, Orioles
148 - Ceddane Rafaela, Red Sox
150 - Elly De La Cruz, Reds
177 - Kyle Harrison, Giants
210 - Nolan Schanuel, Angels
220 - Jackson Holliday, Orioles
288 - Evan Carter, Rangers
290 - Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs
367 - Wilyer Abreau, Red Sox
388 - Andy Pages, Dodgers
452 - Jordan Lawlar, Diamondbacks
477 - Junior Caminero, Rays
541 - Jared Jones, Pirates
554 - Gavin Williams, Guardians
557 - Kyle Manzardo, Guardians
576 - Parker Meadows, Tigers
590 - Jasson Dominguez, Yankees
617 - Zack Gelof, Athletics
628 - Noelvi Marte, Reds
630 - Heston Kjrstad, Orioles
636 - Tobias Myers, Brewers
651 - Sal Frelick, Brewers
673 - Ben Brown, Cubs
674 - AJ Smith-Shawver, Braves
Total: 25
Twenty-five again last year with a more muted rainbow script style and the first sideways Future Star.
2026
60 - Rhett Lowder, Reds
66 - Roki Sasaki, Dodgers
72 - Coby Mayo, Orioles
86 - Dylan Crews, Nationals
103 - Dalton Rushing, Dodgers
125 - Kristian Campbell, Red Sox
269 - Marcelo Mayer, Red Sox
275 - Luisangel Acuna, Mets
296 - Hayden Birdsong, Giants
306 - Spencer Schwellenbach, Braves
336 - Kumar Rocker, Rangers
342 - Chandler Simpson, Rays
Total: 12, so far.
Through Series 1 it looks like 2026 is on track for 25 again.
For reference, here are the Future Stars totals prior to 2014:
1987: 6
1988: 5
1989: 5
1990: 5
1991: 6
1994: 28
1995: 15
1996: 10 (consecutively numbered)
Though the collectability of the Future Stars cards was lost on me in the late 1980s, I can see how they would be more valued with just five or six to a set.
I also would think I would have heard of dedicated Future Stars collectors by now. Sure, they're not based on anything like the rookie cup or even the rookie card, but the checklist is almost always more impressive than either of those two other things.
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