2010 Topps 2020 in 2020: First 10 of 20

A decade ago, Topps inserted a set of 3D cards into its series 2 packs (1:6 hobby and retail, 1:1 jumbo) called 2020. It attempted to predict which players would be stars ten years later. 2020 is here, and while the season has yet to begin, why not look now at whether the 20 players found in the set have turned out as expected.

All images are from COMC.com.

#1 Ryan Braun. In the years leading up to 2010, Braun was one of the best in the game. However, after some PED scandals, he has not been as successful. He is still playing, however, with a .298 career batting average, 1933 hits, and 344 home runs.

#2 Gordon Beckham. Including the 2009 AL Rookie of the Year certainly seemed like a good idea. Despite getting off to a slow start, Beckham finished the year with a .270 average. But that would be the peak of his career; he hit .267 in 2013, but overall he has a .237 batting average. In fact, since 2013, he hasn't even hit .230 in a season. He signed with the Padres earlier this year, but was released last month, and might not play in the majors again.

#3 Andre Ethier. We've reached our first player to already be retired. Ethier played through 2017 for the Dodgers, hitting .285 for his career. He started the 2010 season with a bang, but finished the year with a .292 average. Injuries later in his career led to an earlier retirement than he had hoped, I'm sure.

#4 David Price. Price was the AL Comeback Player of the Year in 2018 and a member of the World Series champion Red Sox. He was part of the trade that also saw Mookie Betts come to the Dodgers in February. Through 2019, Price has a 150-80 record with a respectable 3.31 ERA.

#5 Justin Upton. Now with the Angels, B.J.'s brother has hit .266, with 298 home runs since his 2007 debut. He was most recently an All-Star and Silver Slugger in 2017, but in 2019 he hit only .215 in only 63 games. His contract is through 2022.

#6 Hunter Pence. While he spent the 2019 season with the Rangers, Pence returned to the Giants for the 2020 season. He was an All-Star last year, batting .297 in 83 games; he has a .280 career average through 2019.

#7 Ryan Howard. The Big Piece last played an MLB game in 2016. 2010 would be the last year he would win any notable recognition, being a part of the All-Star team that year. He did set a couple more speed records (fastest to 1000 RBI in 2014) but injuries and lack of production meant less and less playing time. He attempted to come back with the Braves and later the Rockies in 2017, but finally announced his retirement at the end of the 2018 season.

#8 Buster Posey. One of the youngest players in the set, Posey had his debut in late 2009 but won the 2010 NL Rookie of the Year award. He had a decent season in 2019, batting .257 in 405 at bats after hip surgery at the end of 2018. His career batting average is currently .302.

#9 Madison Bumgarner. Bumgarner had his debut around the same time as Posey, and was a member of the Giants through the 2019 season, with a 119-92 record and 3.13 ERA. He was also the NLCS and World Series MVP in 2014, and has a career 0.25 ERA in World Series play. He signed with the Diamondbacks for 2020 after what could be called an average 2019 season.

#10 Evan Longoria. In 2010, Longoria was with the Rays, but from 2018 he has played for the Giants. 2010 would be his last All-Star year, though in 2017 he won his third Gold Glove and hit for the cycle for the first time in his career. However, from 2017 through 2019 he has been lackluster at the plate; he hit .254 in 2019 with 20 home runs. His career batting average sits at .267 with 297 career home runs.

This post is another two-parter; I'll finish up the set tomorrow with the last ten cards!

Until then...