Buzz Break: 2017 Panini Chronicles baseball cards (hobby 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: 2017 Panini Chronicles baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 12
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 60
Base set completion: 
42 of 100 (42 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Mookie Betts, Ryne Sandberg, Justin Verlander, Ken Griffey Jr., Pete Rose, Carlos Correa, Clayton Kershaw, Gary Sanchez, Jose Altuve, Mike Schmidt, Buster Posey, Mickey Mantle, Kris Bryant, Nolan Ryan

Insert cards: 14 (all inserts in gallery below with some base)
Chronicles Rookies (1) – J.T. Riddle (/499)
Chronicles Rookies Gold (1) – Lewis Brinson (/399)
Chronicles Rookies Blue (1) – Sam Travis (/299)
Chronicles Gold parallel (2) – Corey Seager, Adam Jones (/999)
Chronicles Green parallel (1) – Javier Baez (/199)
Donruss Rated Rookies (3) – Christian Arroyo, Trey Mancini, Braden Shipley
Prizm (3) – Anthony Rizzo, Joey Votto, Franklin Barreto
Prizm Light Blue (1) – Dansby Swanson (/299)
Prizm Wave (1) – Mitch Haniger (/199)

Autographs/Memorabilia: 4
Chronicles Swatches (1) – Alex Rodriguez (/499)
Contenders Rookie Playoff Ticket (1) – Carson Fulmer (/99)
Contenders Rookie Ticket (1) – Jordan Montgomery
Gold Standard Rookie Jersey Autographs Double Prime (1) – Raimel Tapia (/25)

What’s Buzz-worthy: In a nutshell, this is a non-traditionally designed set (100 base cards, 50 serial-numbered rookies atop that) with its own range of parallels, autographs and memorabilia cards with a smattering of other brand names here as inserts and hits, primarily but not exclusively focusing on the deep rookie class of this past season. You’ll find rare Mickey Mantle memorabilia cards alongside Aaron Judge ink and plenty of others of note from this season and all in a mix that’s so vast it’s really a surprise as to what you’ll find in a box. Some types of rookies found here are an update to previously released products this season, while others are new arrivals for baseball — perhaps to see if the popularity is there for them to stand on their own as standalone brands in the future. Absolute is here, Prizm is here, Contenders is here, Donruss is here, Signature Series is here, Gold Standard is here, Spectra is here and they’re not alone as there are other inclusions — and full rainbows of parallels for all of them. The base set is dramatically different with fronts and backs that will slow you down to read a basic nugget of info — for example Pete Rose’s 4,192nd career hit, Mickey Mantle’s 500th home run or simply the sound of a Kris Bryant home run. Reinforcing this non-traditional approach? There are no stat packs on the cards, meaning the focus is purely on the photo package and the anecdotes. You get four hits and eight serial-numbered inserts per box — this one delivered just that — and those hits will be a mix of a little bit of everything. This particular box included a double-patch auto (on-card), a standard auto, an auto parallel and a memorabilia card. While this one feels like it’s focused on the rookies there’s more in here than just that. It’s one of the more-interesting rips I’ve seen this year — a situation where I’d definitely want to rip and see more to see how the mixes look. This is one that a collector should appreciate and it’s one with enough flash that the rip-and-flip crowd might dig in well, too.

Product Grade: A
Box Grade: A-
Fun Grade: A-

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