Dandy Dozen: 2025 Topps Series 1 standout base card photos

This year's first installment of Topps baseball cards is almost here in the form of 2025 Topps Series 1 and with some sleuthing, we've made our picks for 12 standard cards that are stand out from the pack this time.

Sure, there will be more to chase -- and likely even more interesting photos among the planned variations -- but here are some notables from the base cards we've seen so far in advance of its Feb. 12 arrival -- get yours at the link above.

BACK TO SCHOOL 
Taylor Ward -- OF, Los Angeles Angels
This is a pretty standard photo maximizing the looseness of a horizontal frame and yet it's still properly cropped and clean. Why would a simple image make the list? His Players' Weekend Victus No. 2 pencil bat, of course -- see it in action here.

Keep reading for the rest of this dandy dozen from Series 1 ... and for a look at almost the entire base set after that.

WALKING IT OFF ... AND WALKING OFF
Michael Busch -- 1B, Chicago Cubs 
It looks like a moment, because it is a moment -- a ninth-inning homer for the rookie (watch it here). The rain is contained in the frame but his excitement is not, showing how this year's design will have its breakout moments. Note the Padre in the background walking it off, too.

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CAUGHT IN THE ACT
Elly De La Cruz -- SS, Cincinnati Reds
This image was teased earlier in the year and it's no surprise it makes this list ... it's tight and right -- and the helmet about to take flight is some foreshadowing of what's to come among my dozen.

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FRAMED PERFORMANCE
Joey Ortiz -- 3B, Milwaukee Brewers 
It's a somewhat standard high-end action photo -- a gem on its own but something we see a lot of these days -- but the way all of the elements work together here along with all those proper team colors ... it's even more solid.

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IN THE GAME
San Diego Padres Team Card 
About half of the franchises have a team card in this series and the Padres' card stands out as one of those pesky on-field photographers got all up in the mix for this celebration. How many players can you name?

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CAUGHT IN THE ACT
Adolis Garcia -- OF, Texas Rangers
You might not think of this slugger glove-first -- he's averaged 31 homers per 162 for his career -- but a Web Gem is a Web Gem and it makes for a gem of a card, too.

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FRAMING IT UP
Minnesota Twins Team Card
The photographer is Jhoan Duran and there were at least two others on hand to document it all who we don't see here as there was somebody taking this card photo -- I'm sure you can find the original on Getty Images for that -- and then another camera to get this moment on the video screen. If it wasn't for the crop of that video board, this would be a new take on an infinity card ... but it makes a relatively standard inclusion a bit more interesting.

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HOLY COW, IT'S LEVITATION
Nico Hoerner -- 2B, Chicago Cubs
I know there are collectors who loathe horizontal cards -- you know who you are -- but this is a perfect example of how it should always be an option. This also would look nice with a meaty in-person autograph on there, too.

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TIGHT & RIGHT II
Jarred Kelenic -- OF, Atlanta Braves 
It's another tightly cropped action shot -- and one that could even have been used as a horizontal card. If there's one thing that a critic could harp on with flagship-style sets of the past, it would be distant crops ... this year's looks like that this year's set won't be anywhere near the roughest of the bunch on that front. We're in the here and now and the action is in your face.

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... SUPERLIDE!
C.J. Abrams -- SS, Washington Nationals
This speedy star stole 31 bases last year -- down from 47 the summer before -- but he as still caught in the act with plenty going on here. I like how three sides of the framing are being challenged with this design ... that would have/could have never happened with some past designs.

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JUST FOR KICKS
Jonathan India -- 2B, Cincinnati Reds 
It's not a soccer card but you might think it with that helmet not where it's supposed to be ... and, well, Kansas City is probably not where people think India is supposed to be, either. He gets a last Cincinnati hurrah here in Series 1.

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FEEL THE BURN
Jake McCarthy -- OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
There's a lot going on in this sliding photo -- the face, the dirt, the flying helmet, the opposing team's player, all that lettuce ... oh, and the ball behind him. Even the little details on the uniform stand out here when it's all up close and personal.

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And to see the rest ...

Who's on card No. 1? We still don't' know -- but Buzz's money is either on this guy, Shohei Ohtani, or Aaron Judge who is on the boxes of Series 1 this year. Want to see even more cards from 2025 Topps Series 1? Click here.

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Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com. 

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