Buzz Break: 2019 Topps Update baseball cards (blaster box)

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2019 Topps Update baseball cards
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby/jumbo)

Packs per box: 8 (seven standard, one commemorative patch pack)
Cards per pack: 14
Cards in this box: 99
Base set completion: 
88 of 300 (29 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards of note – Mookie Betts, Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Cody Bellinger, Albert Pujols, George Springer, Willson Contreras, Noah Syndergaard, Max Muncy, Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw

Rookie Cards (34) – Pete Alonso, Austin Riley, Will Smith, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Nick Senzel, Cavan Biggio, Eloy Jimenez, James Bourque, Jake Noll, Mike Ford, Luis Rengifo, Michael Chavis, Josh Fuentes, Justus Sheffield, Darwinzon Hernandez, Corbin Martin, Cole Irvin, Skye Bolt, J.D. Hammer, Pedro Avila, Jared Walsh, Merrill Kelly, Matt Festa, Adam Haseley, Dylan Moore, Austin Allen, Thomas Pannone, Kevin Cron, Kyle Bird, Taylor Clarke, Richie Martin, Andrew Knizner

Insert/short-print cards: 11 (all in gallery below with some base)
Gold parallel (1) – Merrill Kelly (/2,019)
150 Years parallel (1) – Cody Bellinger
1984 Topps (2) – Ted Williams, Xander Bogaerts
Bryce Harper Highlights (2) – Bryce Harper (Walmart blasters only)
Iconic Card Reprints (1) – Honus Wagner T206
Perennial All-Stars (1) – Sandy Koufax
150 Years of Professional baseball (1) – George Springer
150 Years of Professional baseball 15o Years parallel (1) – Cody Bellinger (/150)
150 Years of Professional baseball Commemorative Patch (1) – Sammy Sosa

Autographs/Memorabilia: None

What's Buzz-worthy: This box, as well as my second one to come later, included a pair of numbered cards that seems to be more than the norm for a blaster and it was in the case of that Bellinger card that's one in 311 packs. That gets it a solid grade as well as the rookies -- they are a given with this brand -- but it ultimately was all a rip that fueled one thought in my head ... I should have grabbed a jumbo hobby box. Series 2 delivered a ton of stuff in jumbo boxes and all of the names and newcomers I found here (as well as those numbered cards) would be found in much higher volume in a jumbo box along with some guaranteed ink and more. I definitely still don't like the backwards-name design here -- that will bug me for years to come -- but the mix of veterans on All-Star cards, Home Run Derby cards, Rookie Cards and a mess of inserts all help make this a comfortable break that should keep people happy on a few fronts when you consider all of those good-player finds have parallels, too. I had one pack here that included two different Pete Alonso cards, for example, with a third following up in the next pack. That will only be amplified with larger packs in a larger box ... with a number of good players to be found. I landed fewer inserts this time vs. Series 2 and I didn't land any photo variations -- cards that aren't that tough even here -- but I still liked a lot of what I found here. I just wanted more.

Product Grade: A-
Box Grade: A- (not super-flashy but one rarer find and a boatload of rookies)
Fun Grade: B

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