The 2017 Bowman Baseball card set was full of exciting rookies and prospects for collectors to chase. With its retro design that pays homage to cards of the past, Bowman has become one of the premier brands for finding the next generation of superstars before they reach the majors. This 2017 edition contained a treasure trove of players that have since become household names.
Some of the biggest rookie cards in the 2017 Bowman set included future MVPs and all-stars like Cody Bellinger, Whit Merrifield, and Rhys Hoskins. Bellinger’s scintillating rookie season that helped lead the Dodgers to the World Series put him on the map in a big way and his Bowman cards skyrocketed in value as a result. Likewise, Hoskins made his highly anticipated debut for the Phillies in August of that year and immediately demonstrated his elite power skills that would make him a fan favorite.
Merrifield wasted no time making an impact either, establishing himself as the Royals effective leadoff hitter and two-time all-star. His blend of hitting ability and defensive versatility proved he belonged in the majors from day one. With such standout performers finding success so soon after collectors could acquire them as rookies in 2017 Bowman, it’s no wonder the set attracted such a strong following.
Beyond just the future stars, Bowman offered a first glimpse at the next wave of prospects still developing in the minor leagues. Names like Victor Robles, Kyle Tucker, Willie Calhoun, and Gavin Lux were heralded as can’t-miss talents and collectors jumped at the chance to add their rookie cards knowing their values had huge upside. While injuries slowed Robles’ progress to the majors slightly, Tucker, Calhoun, and Lux all became solid big leaguers right on schedule.
Having those rookie cards of top prospects before their call-ups satisfied that thrill of the hunt that makes card collecting so exciting. And with the depth of talent showcased in 2017 Bowman, collectors had no shortage of options to pursue. Whether going after stars who were already performing or future stars still in the minors, Bowman gave an early peek at the next great players.
The paper stock on 2017 Bowman cards maintained the vintage aesthetic Bowman has become known for with its thick, high-quality cardboard feel. But what truly set this release apart were the innovative inserts and parallels that added numerous hit possibilities. The Five Tool inserts spotlighted a specific tool for each featured player like Contact, Power, Speed, Arm, or Defense. This provided a fun new lens to examine prospects’ skills and gave multiple parallel variations to collect for each.
The Trajectory inserts took things a step further by projecting a statistical path to stardom for players. Charts predicted future batting averages, home run totals, and WAR through a hypothetical six-year career. While obviously speculative, it brought an interesting scouting and analytical perspective that Bowman fans embraced. Rainbow foil, red, and sepia parallel versions of the base rookie cards became coveted short prints to locate in packs as well.
Specialized sets within 2017 Bowman like Black, Blue, Green, and Orange Wave parallelled the base cards with distinctive colors and even lower print runs. The Black Wave parallel in particular stood out with its sleek all-black borders. With so many parallel and insert sets available throughout the different Bowman products from packs to boxes, there was incredible chase appeal regardless of collector’s budget or interests.
The 2017 Bowman Baseball card release showed why the brand remains the premier destination for rookie card enthusiasts. By spotlighting a stellar freshman class before they made their pro debuts as well as heralded prospects still climbing the minor league ranks, Bowman captured the next wave of baseball’s brightest young stars. With its retro designs and innovative insert sets, the 2017 edition excited fans both as an on-Product to open as well as long-term investments. Several of the rookies featured like Bellinger, Merrifield, and Hoskins went on to superstardom, turning their early Bowman cards into highly valuable keys to the set due to authenticating their potential before they made the majors. For these reasons, 2017 Bowman Baseball stands out as one of the most memorable and collectible issues in the last decade.
