The 2020 Bowman Chrome Baseball set was released in July of 2020 by Topps and contained some of the best rookie cards and prospects from that year’s MLB Draft Class. While the traditional paper version of Bowman is known for its prospects, the Chrome parallel takes things up a notch with its flashy refractors and prospects poised to make an impact at the MLB level. Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout rookies, parallels, and cards that have stood out since the set was released.
Perhaps the biggest star and cards from 2020 Bowman Chrome was Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell. As the 10th overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, Adell entered his first Bowman Chrome set with hype having risen through the minors. His main rookie card, the standard base version, can be found for around $20-30 nowadays. It’s the parallels and short printed variations that really hold value. The Adell Chrome Refractor is considered the true flagship “hit” card and can fetch $100-200 in PSA 10 condition. Even rarer is the Adell Chrome Orange Refractor, limited to only /50 copies. High-grade examples of the Orange Refractor have sold for well over $1000. With Adell now in the big leagues and looking like a future All-Star, his 2020 Bowman Chrome cards seem like a really solid long term investment.
Another Angels prospect turning heads was Reid Detmers, the 10th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft from Louisville. While he only had a handful of pro games under his belt at the time, Detmers’ stock was rising quickly. His standard base Bowman Chrome rookie sits around $15-20, but parallel and autographed versions hold much more appeal. The Detmers Chrome Refractor jumps up around the $50-75 range in a PSA 10. The true chase card was the Detmers Chrome Orange Wave Refractor, numbered to only /5 copies. A PSA 10 of this ultra-short print card recently sold for over $2000 on eBay. With Detmers looking polished in his rookie 2021 season with the Angels, his early Bowman Chrome cards seem poised to gain value as he establishes himself.
While Los Angeles was well represented, the stack of star prospects from 2020 Bowman Chrome hailed from all over. Like in Detroit Tiger’s pitcher Casey Mize. As the overall #1 pick from the 2018 Draft, Mize entered his first Bowman Chrome set with enormous hype. His base rookie sells in the $15-20 range on average, but parallel cards like the Mize Chrome Refractor ($60-80 PSA 10) and Mize Chrome Orange Refractor (/50 copies) bring vastly more dollars. Mize struggled with injuries in 2021 but still looks like an ace in the making long term. Holding onto a high grade Mize rookie from 2020 Bowman Chrome seems smart given his potential.
Cincinnati Reds’ top prospect Jonathan India also boasts some appealing options from 2020 Bowman Chrome. As a 5th overall draft pick, India entered with buzz and his cards sold strongly upon release. While his base sells for $10-15 today, the India Chrome Refractor holds steady around $40-60 in top PSA 10 grade. An India Chrome Orange Refractor (/50 copies) would be a true vault piece for any Reds PC collection. India smashed expectations by winning NL Rookie of the Year in 2021, cementing his Bowman Chrome cards as a vital early investment. Reds fans would be hard-pressed to find a better player PC collection focus.
Top White Sox pitching prospect Garrett Crochet also made his acclaimed debut in 2020 Bowman Chrome. As an 11th overall pick out of Tennessee, Crochet’s electric arm speed translated well to his Bowman card stock. His base sells around $15, with the prized parallel being the scarce Crochet Chrome Orange Refractor /50. High grades of this short print parallel recently sold north of $500. While Crochet suffered an injury in 2021, his long term potential seems immense. For Sox fans looking to own a piece of their future potential ace, hunting down an early Crochet Chrome rookie seems ideal.
2020 Bowman Chrome also housed the debut of Adley Rutschman, the #1 pick in 2019 and top prospect in all of baseball property of the Baltimore Orioles. As such a revered prospect, Rutschman’s demand came fast upon release. Though his base can be found around $10-15 today, the true hits remain his parallels. The Rutschman Chrome Refractor holds around $50-75 PSA 10 value, with the prized Rutschman Chrome Orange Refractor (/50) eclipsing over $1000 for top grades. With “best prospect in baseball” status and potential franchise changing ability behind the plate, owning Rutschman’s first Chrome offerings seems like a no-brainer investment.
Now two years after its original release, 2020 Bowman Chrome stands out as housing some true blue-chip prospects and early rookie cards of burgeoning superstars. While parallels and short prints naturally command top dollar, even base versions of names like Adell, Detmers, Mize, India, Crochet and Rutschman profile as sound long term holds. For today’s savvy baseball card investors, identifying the future faces of MLB from their earliest card offerings can yield tremendous returns. 2020 Bowman Chrome provided an excellent opportunity to do just that with its star-studded class of prospects.
