2015 Topps High Tek Baseball Pattern Print Runs
With the second release of Topps High Tek Baseball, I have started a yearly tradition of trying to figure out production numbers on the different patterns. The math is not complicated, but it does require some basic information, that always isn’t available. Take for example the total number of cases produced. This information is held by Topps, and I don’t have access to this knowledge. So, I had to use some hobby reporting to crunch the numbers.
It is a strong rumor that the Blade pattern is limited to 25 copies. It isn’t rumor that the Blade pattern is seeded at 1:24 packs (1 in every other case) and only applies to the Group A subjects. We also know that the Group A Subjects represents one half of the 112 card set (56 players). So, here is the backwards math.
So, this is our production number for cases produced (2800 cases). We can apply a bit more math here and say:
Base patterns 1: Group A Grass and Group B Waves (one of each per pack or twelve of each per case).
Estimated print run of 600 cards per pattern 1.
Pattern 2: Group A Spiral and Group B Dots (one of each per pack or twelve of each per case).
Estimated print run of 600 cards per pattern 2.
Pattern 3: Group A Circuit Board and Group B Pipes (one of the two per pack or six of each per case).
Estimated print run of 300 cards per pattern 3
Pattern 4: Group A Cubes and Group B Chain Link (one of each in every three packs or two of each per case). Estimated print run of 100 cards per pattern 4.
Pattern 5: Group A Pyramids and Group B Diamonds (one of each in every six packs or two total per case). Estimated print run of cards 50 per pattern 5.
Pattern 6: Group A Stripes and Group B Grid (one of the two per case or one of each in every 24 packs). Estimated print run of 25 cards per pattern 6.
Pattern 7: Group A only (one in every other case) Estimated print run of 25 cards per player in Group A for pattern 7.
With the numbers in, it is interesting to note that pattern 2A and 2B aren’t seeded any differently than the base pattern 1A and 1B. Additionally, it is fascinating that pattern 7 (Blades) is perceived as the best or hardest to find, but pattern 6 (Stripes and Grid) are equally as rare. It is somewhat deceptive, but it’s hard to argue with the numbers.
It is a strong rumor that the Blade pattern is limited to 25 copies. It isn’t rumor that the Blade pattern is seeded at 1:24 packs (1 in every other case) and only applies to the Group A subjects. We also know that the Group A Subjects represents one half of the 112 card set (56 players). So, here is the backwards math.
- 56 players x 25 players per card (Blade Pattern) = 1400 cards (Blade Pattern)
- 1400 cards (Blade Pattern) x 2 cases (1 in every other case) = 2800 cases
So, this is our production number for cases produced (2800 cases). We can apply a bit more math here and say:
- 2800 cases x 12 packs per case = 33600 packs
Base patterns 1: Group A Grass and Group B Waves (one of each per pack or twelve of each per case).
Estimated print run of 600 cards per pattern 1.
- 2800 cases x 12 cards per case = 33600 cards
- 33600 cards / 56 players = 600 cards per player
Pattern 2: Group A Spiral and Group B Dots (one of each per pack or twelve of each per case).
Estimated print run of 600 cards per pattern 2.
- 2800 cases x 12 cards per case = 33600 cards
- 33600 cards / 56 players = 600 cards per player
Pattern 3: Group A Circuit Board and Group B Pipes (one of the two per pack or six of each per case).
Estimated print run of 300 cards per pattern 3
- 2800 cases x 6 cards per case = 16800 cards
- 16800 cards / 56 players = 300 cards per player
Pattern 4: Group A Cubes and Group B Chain Link (one of each in every three packs or two of each per case). Estimated print run of 100 cards per pattern 4.
- 2800 cases x 2 cards per case = 5600 cards
- 5600 cards / 56 players = 100 cards per player
Pattern 5: Group A Pyramids and Group B Diamonds (one of each in every six packs or two total per case). Estimated print run of cards 50 per pattern 5.
- 2800 cases x 1 card = 2800 cards
- 2800 cards / 56 players = 50 cards per player
Pattern 6: Group A Stripes and Group B Grid (one of the two per case or one of each in every 24 packs). Estimated print run of 25 cards per pattern 6.
- 2800 cases x .5 cards = 1400 cards
- 1400 cards / 56 players = 25 cards per player
Pattern 7: Group A only (one in every other case) Estimated print run of 25 cards per player in Group A for pattern 7.
- 2800 cases x .5 cards = 1400 cards
- 1400 cards / 56 players = 25 cards per player in Group A
With the numbers in, it is interesting to note that pattern 2A and 2B aren’t seeded any differently than the base pattern 1A and 1B. Additionally, it is fascinating that pattern 7 (Blades) is perceived as the best or hardest to find, but pattern 6 (Stripes and Grid) are equally as rare. It is somewhat deceptive, but it’s hard to argue with the numbers.