2005 Topps Baseball has a clean design. Thick white borders give way to a colorful inner frame. The player's name and team run vertically up the side of the frame. The last name is repeated in bold foil across the top. The team, year and Topps logo are at the bottom.

The best card in 2005 Topps Baseball is the Justin Verlander rookie. Other first-year cards in the set include Ian Kinsler, Billy Butler, Andre Ethier and Melky Cabrera. Card 263 is an uncorrected error. Despite being a Michael Young card, it pictures Rod Barajas.