The 2023 Bowman set is one of the most highly anticipated baseball card releases each year as it provides the first cards featuring rookie players. While rookie cards have skyrocketed in value in recent years, predicting which players will go on to stardom is extremely difficult. Still, here are some of the top rookie cards to watch out for from the 2023 Bowman set based on players’ prospect rankings and early minor league success.
Druw Jones (CF, ATL) – As the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, Jones comes into the set with immense hype as the son of five-time All-Star Andruw Jones. Scouts rave about his combination of five-tools with elite speed, power, fielding and throwing ability. He slashed .354/.486/.578 in his pro debut and could rocket up prospect rankings in 2023. His Bowman Chrome rookie card will likely be the most coveted and valuable in the set.
Termarr Johnson (SS, ATL) – Though he was Atlanta’s fourth round pick, Johnson exploded onto the scene in 2022 by slashing .340/.419/.540 between rookie ball and Low-A. He showed elite bat speed and contact ability from both sides of the plate at just 18 years old. Johnson is already ranked among Baseball America’s top 100 prospects and his stock will only rise. If he continues developing, his rookie card will be a hot commodity.
Brooks Lee (3B, SD) – The 2021 1st rounder had a strong pro debut slashing .326/.390/.509 between rookie ball and Low-A. Lee has incredible hands and plate discipline for a player his age and regularly squares up pitches. He profiles to hit for both power and average as he matures. Lee will be one of San Diego’s highest-rated prospects entering 2023.
Elijah Green (OF, CIN) – Considered a potential No. 1 pick prior to the 2022 draft, Green fell to the Reds at 17th overall due to signability concerns. He has phenomenal raw power potential and athleticism at 6’3″ 200 lbs. Green will start his pro career at age 19 and is ranked among Cincinnati’s top prospects. If the power starts to emerge next season, his Bowman Chrome RC will gain value.
Frankie Tostado (2B, CHC) – A 20th rounder in 2021 out of high school, Tostado lit up the Arizona Complex League with a .361 average and .981 OPS in 2022. He makes consistently hard contact from the left side and has above-average speed. If Tostado continues surprising with his bat at higher levels, he could climb Chicago’s system quickly and be a sleeper prospect on the rise.
Robby Ahlstrom (SP, TEX) – Considered one of the top high school arms in the 2022 draft class, Ahlstrom was selected 23rd overall by Texas. He sits low-90s with his fastball and shows feel for a sharp slider and changeup as well. Ahlstrom brings good size at 6’4″ and has projectable stuff as he matures physically. He should move quickly and could emerge as a frontline starter if development goes as planned.
Carson Whisenhunt (SP, COL) – Whisenhunt was a huge steal for Colorado in the 3rd round of the 2020 draft and is on the fast track in their system. He sits 92-94 with his heater and pairs it with a plus slider that generates whiffs. Whisenhunt already saw Double-A action in 2022 and could debut in the majors by 2024 if he continues making quick progress. His Bowman RC is one to watch long-term.
Walter Ford (SP, LAD) – Ford missed all of 2022 due to Tommy John surgery but was considered one of the top prep arms in the 2021 draft class before falling due to injury. When healthy, he sits 91-94 with smooth arm action and potentially plus secondary pitches. The Dodgers will take it slow with Ford in his return next year, but his future potential is immense if he can stay on the mound.
Jackson Ferris (SP, TB) – A first rounder in 2022 out of high school, Ferris has strong command of four pitches including a lively 92-95 fastball. He profiles as a future workhorse with potential for three plus offerings. Ferris should move quickly in the Rays system once he signs and debuts professionally next season. With Tampa Bay’s development track record, his upside could be massive long-term.
Jordan Brown (OF, TB) – Though he was just a 13th rounder in 2021, Brown had a phenomenal pro debut by slashing .354/.436/.588 with 18 homers between rookie ball levels. He makes consistent hard contact from the left side and has sneaky raw power potential at 6’4″. Brown could climb Tampa’s ranks quickly in 2023 if he keeps impacting the ball like he did in his first season.
Jhoan Soriano (SS, ARI) – Signed for over $3 million as an international free agent in 2021, Soriano has incredible speed, range and actions at shortstop at just 17 years old. His offense is quite raw, but he showed some emerging power and contact ability in the DSL last season. If Soriano starts to make more consistent contact next year and handle higher levels defensively, his future upside is immense as a potential five-tool talent.
Geraldi Diaz (OF, OAK) – Diaz received $1.2 million as an international free agent in 2022 and there is a reason for that large bonus. He has the tools to be a true five-tool talent with impact power potential, plus speed and athleticism in center field. Most IFA prospects are quite raw, but Diaz should get Stateside time next season to show if his bat can start to catch up to his tools. His ceiling is immense if everything clicks.
Marco Luciano (SS, SF) – While no longer a true prospect rookie card, Luciano will be one of the most sought after Giants in the 2023 Bowman set. He is already one of baseball’s top 10 prospects after smashing 21 homers at High-A in 2022. With his combination of elite power and speed for a middle infielder, Luciano is a future perennial All-Star if he stays on track. Any card from his pre-professional days will remain highly coveted.
Gabriel Hughes (SP, TOR) – Though used primarily in relief since being selected 23rd overall in 2020, Hughes throws a potential plus sinker that sits 94-97 mph out of an easy, repeatable delivery. His secondary stuff is developing as well and Toronto is taking a slow approach to develop him as a starter long-term. Hughes already reached Triple-A in 2022 and could make his MLB debut sometime next season if all continues going well.
Enrique Pinales (SS, CHW) – Signed for $1.5 million in 2021, Pinales showed encouraging signs in his U.S. debut by slashing .305/.383/.472 between rookie ball levels in 2022. He has excellent speed and actions up the middle with developing pop in his compact swing from the left side. Pinales is still just 17 years old, so there is plenty of development still ahead, but his ceiling is immense if it all clicks together.
Luis Matos (CF, SF) – Though he only received a $37,500 bonus as an IFA in 2019, Matos has since proven to be an incredible find by the Giants. He has elite speed and defense in center field while also showing emerging power and contact skills at High-A in 2022. Matos is still just 20 years old, but he could debut in San Francisco as early as 2024 if his ascent continues at this pace. His pedigree as a future star will make any early Giants cards quite desirable long-term.
There are many other intriguing prospects that could emerge from the 2023 Bowman set like Cam Collier, Spencer Steer and Chase Petty. While predicting the next generation of young stars is an inexact science, those mentioned offer potentially the highest long-term value based on their current prospect profiles and production. The true gems may still be complete unknown at this point, making it part of the thrill of collecting each year’s first glimpse at the next wave of MLB talent.
