The 2023 Bowman Chrome baseball set is one of the most highly anticipated releases each year for baseball card collectors and investors. While the base set offers prospects and current MLB stars in colorful refractors, it’s the short printed parallels and prospect autographs that create the most buzz. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the top cards collectors will be chasing from the 2023 Bowman Chrome release.
One of the marquee rookie cards in the set is likely to be Julio Rodriguez. The Mariners center fielder had a phenomenal debut season in 2022 that saw him named American League Rookie of the Year. His base refractors can be pulled in the set, but collectors will be hunting colorful parallels like green /50, orange /25, and red /5. Julio also has autograph cards in the set that will be extremely scarce. Expect any Julio Rodriguez parallel or auto to demand big money on the secondary market given his star power as one of the game’s brightest young talents.
Another rookie generating hype is Cardinals’ Brendan Donovan. While not as high profile as Julio, Brendan had a solid debut season that saw him become a versatile utility player for St. Louis. His base cards will be plentiful in the set, but parallels like /50 green and /25 orange could emerge as short prints. Brendan also has autograph cards in the set that collectors will be on the hunt for. With his promising start and playing for a marquee franchise, Brendan Donovan rookies have breakout potential in 2023.
On the prospect side, one name creating a buzz is Druw Jones. The son of former MLB star Andruw Jones, Druw was selected second overall by the Diamondbacks in the 2022 draft. He has five-tool skills that could make him a future star. Look for his base refractors to be plentiful in the set, but parallels like /50 green, /25 orange, and /5 red to be scarce. Druw also has autographed cards, and any parallel or auto pulls could be big long term holdings given his pedigree and potential.
2023 is likely the last year Mickey Moniak will be eligible for Bowman Chrome as a prospect. The Phillies 2016 top pick saw his prospect star dim some after injuries slowed his development path. But he broke out in 2022 with the Angels and looks primed to be their starting center fielder in 2023. His base refractors will be available, but any parallel or autograph pulls could emerge as a value long term given his rebound season. Moniak’s prospect swan song in 2023 Bowman Chrome could create some collector demand.
One of the most intriguing international prospects eligible for the 2023 Bowman Chrome set is Dominican shortstop Robert Puason. Signed by the Athletics for $5.1 million as a 16-year-old in 2021, Robert already has impressive tools and skills for his age. His base cards will be plentiful in the set. But collectors will no doubt be hunting his short printed parallels and autographs with fervor given his huge upside. Any Puason parallel or auto pulls could emerge as long term keepers if his development continues upward.
Another international prospect that could create buzz is Dominican outfielder Gabriel Rodriguez. Signed by the Reds for $2.7 million in 2021, Gabriel has five-tool skills and a sweet left-handed swing that could translate to impressive power. While still young at 18, his tools are enticing for collectors long term. Look for his base cards to be available, but green /50 and orange /25 parallels as well as any autographed cards to be scarce and in high demand. Rodriguez is a prospect with breakout potential.
On the college side, one name that could emerge is Florida high school shortstop Cole Young. Drafted 15th overall by the Rangers in 2022, Cole turned down a football scholarship and $1.4 million signing bonus to attend North Carolina. His hit tool and athleticism make him one of the top college position player prospects for the 2023 draft. Collectors will be seeking any of his base, parallel, or autograph cards in hopes his development path leads to stardom. Young is one of the top prospects without professional experience in the set.
While the above prospects and rookies will create much of the hype, savvy collectors will also be seeking short printed parallels and autographs of established young stars like Wander Franco, Bobby Witt Jr, Adley Rutschman and others. Rarest of all are 1/1 printing plates, which feature the exact colors used to create the card but without an image. These ultra rare pieces can fetch huge sums online.
The 2023 Bowman Chrome baseball release offers a combination of current stars, top prospects and rookie cards that make it one of the most anticipated issues each year. While base refractors of big names will be available, it’s the short printed parallels and autographs of prospects like Druw Jones, Robert Puason and Gabriel Rodriguez that have potential to yield long term rewards. For collectors, the thrill is in the hunt for those elusive short prints and 1/1s that could emerge as valuable keystones to a collection in future years.
