One of the sets I just try and buy full sets of is the Topps Pro Debut, the official set of MiLB (Minor League Baseball). The reasons are simple:
- It's not something that's sold on a regular basis at the card shops I do frequent.
- Not too many people in the area actually collect minor league cards, and those that do are in it for the player or organization, not trying for a full set.
- That patience issue again.
- Cost. It's cheaper for me to buy a full set of 200 plus cards online than it would be to buy boxes and not even guarantee a full base set (although this applies to the eponymous MLB sets, at least those are readily available everywhere).
That said, I've managed to get every Pro Debut set since Topps acquired the license back in 2010. Prior to that year, I would not have even considered adding these sets to my collection. But, it's Topps. They've been using the flagship designs on these minor league sets. How can in NOT want to include them, if nothing more as a supplement to the eponymous set. All the Pro Debut sets get their own binders as there is no way that I can fit another 200 plus cards (the 2010 set has 400 cards alone) into a six-inch binder (forget even trying to lift them).
A couple of weeks ago, I finally hunkered down and bought a base set and, because someone actually had these, a "master insert set" for 2025 Topps Pro Debut. Both arrived yesterday. so tonight, while the Bears are playing their first playoff game since 2021 (season was in 2020) and trying to win their fist playoff game since 2011 (season was in 2010), let's unbox this 292-card master set and see what's inside.
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| The packaging. |
The base Pro Debut set consists of 200 cards. The design is the same as the Major League set, with the two-colored lines along the left side of the card, the team name in outlined all-caps lettering in front of the design element. Along with the Cubs, White Sox, Yankees, etc (thanks to the Arizona and Florida Complex League), teams represented include Carp, Storm, Mighty Mussels, Jumbo Shrimp, Biscuits, Trash Pandas, and Spartanburgers. Yes, the creativity of these minor league organizations are top notch. Among the players in this set that have already made an impact in the majors include Luke Keaschall (Wichita Wind Surge), Kyle Teel (Charlotte Knights). Jac Caglianone (Quad City River Bandits), Nick Kurtz (Midland Rockhounds), Roman Anthony & Kristian Campbell (Worcester Red Sox), Trey Yesavage (FCL Blue Jays) among others.
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| 2025 Topps Pro Debut Luke Keaschall #PD-193 |
In recent years, the Pro Debut cards featured the player in gloss finish while the background would be in a matte finish. That does not appear to be the case with this year's product.
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| 2025 Topps Pro Debut Trey Yesavage #PD-45 |
In recent years, it's been easier to acquire the insert sets, and just like the team names that litter the minor leagues, the concepts of the insert sets are just as varied and unique. This year's sets are no exception.
Ballpark Promos highlight alternate team identities and uniforms that were worn during actual games. Whether the team took part in "La Copa de Diversión" or celebrated a city's local heritage, a nice exposition explaining the significance of the alternate name is included.
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| 2025 Topps Pro Debut Ballpark Promos Dalton Rushing #BP-5 |
Drafted is a sketchbook inspired insert set with the fronts featuring images that would have appeared to be drawn with colored pencils, while the reverse talks about the player's journey in the MLB draft.
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| 2025 Topps Pro Debut Drafted Jac Caglianone #DF-20 |
League Elites features players and logos from the respective minor leauges. From the Eastern League (AA), to the Midwest League (A), the Pacific Coast League (AAA) to the Florida State League (A), and everywhere in between.
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| 2025 Topps Pro Debut League Elites Colson Montgomery #LE-6 |
Stars of MiLB, just like the Stars of MLB, is pretty much self-explanatory. The best players in the minors in 2024 who were well on their way to the big show are featured. The team logos are large and proudly displayed on the front.
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| 2025 Topps Pro Debut Stars of MiLB JJ Wetherholt #STAR-12 |
MiLB Legends features pictures of retired major leaguers during their time in the minors using designs from Topps history (this year's design if based off the 1976 set).
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| 2025 Topps Pro Debut MiLB Legends Alex Gordon #ML-4 |
One of the things I like to do is open a past year's binder of Pro Debut cards and be pleasantly surprised by the fact that I have a player's minor league card to go along with his MLB rookie card.
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Nick Kurtz's Rookie Card from 2025 Topps Update Series #US201 and 2025 Pro Debut #PD-1
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I'm not a prospector by any means, and I know that speculators prefer the Bowman Chrome cards of players they're hoping become superstars in the majors because it's the first card (in most cases) of their subject in a major league uniform. But I like these Pro Debut cards. They do make a great supplement to the major league product. Maybe in 5 years, I'll revisit this set, and appreciate in awe at the fact that I have cards of the now established superstars of the 2030 season before they hit the big time.
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| 2025 Topps Pro Debut Travis Bazzana #PD-100 |
And maybe that's the whole point of the set in the first place.
Sincerely,
JayBee Anama
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