The 2023 Bowman Chrome Baseball set is one of the most highly anticipated releases each year for baseball card collectors and investors. Bowman Chrome offers collectors the opportunity to get their hands on shiny rookie cards and prospects at the beginning of their careers. While it’s still early and player development can vary, some of the top cards from the 2023 Bowman Chrome release have already started to generate buzz.
One of the biggest names collectors are chasing is Druw Jones. As the son of five-time All-Star Andruw Jones, Druw was selected second overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2022 MLB Draft. Considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball, Jones showcased impressive skills during his debut professional season. He hit .281 with five home runs and 19 RBI in 35 games split between the Diamondbacks’ rookie ball affiliates. His pedigree, early pro success, and potential five-tool talent make Jones’ rookie cards some of the most desirable in the set. Both his base chrome and refractors could be long-term blue-chip investments.
Another top prospect generating early buzz is Jackson Holliday. The 18-year-old was the number one overall pick in the 2022 draft by the Baltimore Orioles. A left-handed hitting shortstop, Holliday put together an outstanding freshman year at Oklahoma where he hit .371 with 15 home runs and a .732 slugging percentage. Considered one of the best pure hitters to come out of a draft in years, Holliday’s cards are flying off shelves. His autographed chrome refractor parallel in particular could emerge as one of the true blue chips from the set in the years to come if he develops into the all-star caliber player most scouts project.
2023 Bowman Chrome also provides collectors their first glimpse of cards featuring top international signing Omar Cruz. The 17-year-old Dominican shortstop received a $3 million signing bonus from the Tampa Bay Rays in July 2022, making him one of the highest paid international prospects ever. Cruz is an outstanding athlete with impressive raw tools and skills. If he develops as hoped, his rookie cards, especially serial numbered parallels, could emerge as long-term keys in the set given his early big league contract.
Another name creating a lot of buzz is Daniel Espino. The right-handed pitcher was selected 24th overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2022 draft. Espino features a fastball that sits in the upper 90s and has touched 102 mph. He also shows the makings of a solid slider and changeup. His size, stuff, and pedigree make Espino one of the most intriguing pitching prospects in the league. Collectors are eager to get their hands on his rookie cards, and his autographs and low-numbered parallels could emerge as some true gems in the set if he develops as projected.
2023 Bowman Chrome also gives fans their first look at the cards of high school shortstop Mikey Romero. The 18-year-old was selected 13th overall by the Chicago Cubs in the 2022 draft. Considered one of the best pure hitters in the draft class, Romero has the potential for both average and power. He hit .412 during his senior year with six home runs and will likely remain at shortstop as he progresses. If Romero develops as hoped, his base rookie cards could emerge as long-term keys given his early draft selection and offensive potential.
In addition to top prospects, collectors will also be chasing stars of tomorrow with 2023 Bowman Chrome. Players like Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Walker, and Termarr Johnson all had impressive debut campaigns that have collectors eager to see how their careers progress at the highest level. Autographs, refractors, and serial numbered parallels of any of these young talents with superstar upside could emerge as true gems.
While it’s still very early in the careers of these players, 2023 Bowman Chrome offers collectors a chance to potentially get in on the ground floor of the next generation of baseball stars. The top rookies from the set have already generated buzz, but savvy investors will also be tracking players further down the prospect lists for potential long-term upside. It should make for an exciting release for anyone collecting the cards of baseball’s future.
