The 2021 Bowman baseball card set featured many elite prospects and young stars that have already seen MLB success. As the hobby exploded in popularity over the last year, certain rookie cards skyrocketed in value. While it’s still very early in the careers of these players, some of their Bowman rookie cards have proven to be quite valuable investments. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable 2021 Bowman cards on the market today based on recent sales data.
Without a doubt, the single most valuable card from the 2021 Bowman set is the Justin Crawford paper rookie card. Considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball coming into the 2021 draft, Crawford had a monster pro debut after being selected by the Dodgers with the 17th overall pick. His paper rookie card has exploded in value, recently selling for over $800 raw in near mint condition on eBay. As Crawford continues to develop in the Dodgers’ system and moves closer to the majors, this card’s value is only expected to rise substantially given his immense upside. At just 19 years old, Crawford has all the makings of a true five-tool superstar and this paper card could end up being a holy grail for Dodgers collectors down the line.
Another incredibly valuable card is the Rangers prospect Jack Leiter’s paper rookie. The son of former MLB pitcher Al Leiter, Jack was taken second overall in last year’s draft and signed for well over slot value thanks to his electric four-pitch mix headlined by a high 90s fastball. Considered by many to be the most polished pitching prospect in his draft class, Leiter dominated in his pro debut and showed why he was such a coveted prospect. His Bowman paper rookie has sold for around $500 in top-notch condition, a massive return for any 2021 baseball cards at this early of a juncture. As Leiter continues pushing towards Arlington, this low-numbered card looks poised for huge price appreciation.
For position players, the Wander Franco extended paper rookie has been a huge hit. Franco took the baseball world by storm in 2021 with an otherworldly .333/.435/.567 slash line across Double and Triple-A before a midseason promotion to the Rays. He has not skipped a beat against MLB pitching and looks like a perennial all-star. Franco’s extended paper rookie from Bowman has sold for $350-400 recently, placing it firmly among the top 2021 cards value-wise. With Franco’s ascension to superstardom seemingly inevitable, that price tag has nowhere to go but up. Few prospects in history can match Franco’s résumé of production and poise at such a young age.
Of the 2018 international signing class, no one has generated more buzz than Robert Hassell III. Signed by the Padres for $1.4 million out of an Oklahoma high school, Hassell has attacked each level with aplomb since inking his first pro contract. A true five-tool package, Hassell can spray line drives from gap to gap while providing excellent defense in center. He continued mashing in Double-A as a 20-year old in 2022, cementing his status as one of the top overall prospects in the minors. Hassell’s Bowman paper rookie has sold for $250-300 given the excitement around his breakout, continued development, and safe bet to become a true cornerstone for San Diego.
Other extremely valuable cards from the 2021 Bowman set include Gunnar Henderson’s paper rookie (recently sold for $200-250 range), Marcelo Mayer’s extended paper rookie ($200-225 range), and Roosevelt Garcia’s extended paper rookie (hit $200 before a promotion to Double-A in 2022 dampened some hype temporarily). This set featured a bounty of future stars, from established talents like Franco to risky high-upside prospects like Hassell and Crawford. While it’s anyone’s guess exactly how their careers pan out, savvy collectors jumped on securing these rookies from the rip knowing they could yield huge long-term returns with relatively small initial investments. The 2021 Bowman class, headlined by these aforementioned names, appears poised to produce some true modern gem cards for team and player collectors alike as their big league careers progress.
The 2021 Bowman baseball cards stand out as housing some of the most valuable rookie cards in the entire hobby at this early junction. Headlined by the unprecedented success of players like Wander Franco immediately upon reaching the majors, cards like his as well as Jack Leiter, Justin Crawford and Robert Hassell III from this set command immense price tags already. While careers can obviously unfold in unpredictable ways, collectors recognized the immense talent levels of these young players and prospects. They pounced on obtaining low-serial numbered cards from what is shaping up as perhaps the most impactful Bowman release in recent memory. As these careers continue progressing towards stardom, 2021 Bowman appears primed to spawn some true blue-chip vintage cards that could end up appreciating exponentially in value. Only time will tell just how lucrative an investment year 2021 proves to be from the set.
