The 2020 baseball season was unlike any other due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Spring training was cut short in March and the regular season did not begin until late July. While the season itself was shortened, card collectors and investors still had plenty to look forward to with the release of new baseball card products.
One of the biggest and most anticipated releases each year is the Bowman brand, known for featuring prospects and young stars just starting their careers. The 2020 Bowman set had its fair share of rookie cards and prospects that are already proving to hold value. With rookies like Gavin Lux, Luis Robert and Dylan Carlson making impacts in their first MLB seasons, their rookie cards from 2020 Bowman have seen a significant rise in secondary market value over the past year.
Gavin Lux was considered one of the top prospects in the Dodgers’ stacked farm system. He made his MLB debut in 2019 but really broke out in 2020, hitting .376 with 5 home runs over 26 games. Lux’s prized rookie card from 2020 Bowman Draft is the Green Auto /99 parallel. Due to his early success and star potential with the Dodgers, Lux’s green auto has skyrocketed in value, now regularly commanding over $300 on the secondary market. His base rookie from the set also increased from around $20-30 to over $100.
White Sox outfielder Luis Robert was one of the biggest breakout stars of 2020. He slashed .338/.376/.612 with 11 home runs and 31 RBI over 51 games, finishing second in AL Rookie of the Year voting. Robert’s prized rookie card is his Sapphire Refractor Auto from 2020 Bowman, numbered to just 50 copies. This ultra-short printed parallel skyrocketed in value from under $500 to over $2,000 within a year as Robert established himself as a true five-tool star. Even his base rookie jumped from around $30-40 to $150-200 currently.
Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson also made his MLB debut in 2020 and impressed with a .268 average, 4 home runs and 13 RBI over 23 games. He is expected to be a core part of the Cardinals’ future plans. Carlson’s top rookie from 2020 Bowman is the Green Auto parallel, numbered to just /99 copies. Due to his early success and future potential, this short printed parallel increased from around $150-200 last year up to $500-600 now. His base rookie also rose from under $20 to $75-100 currently.
Some other notable rookies and prospects from 2020 Bowman that hold value include Sean Murphy (A’s), Ke’Bryan Hayes (Pirates), Deivi Garcia (Yankees), Nico Hoerner (Cubs) and Cristian Pache (Braves). While they may not have skyrocketed as much as the top stars, cards like Murphy’s Sapphire Auto /50, Hayes’ Chrome Auto, Garcia’s Chrome Auto and Pache’s Sapphire Auto are still selling for 2-3 times their initial prices on the secondary market a year later.
Of course, 2020 Bowman also featured prospects who had not even made their MLB debuts yet when the cards were released. Players like Rays shortstop Wander Franco and Mariners outfielder Jarred Kelenic were considered two of the top prospects in all of baseball and their rookie cards reflect that. Franco’s prized card is his Green Auto from 2020 Bowman Draft, which has increased from around $150-200 to $600-800 over the past year. Meanwhile, Kelenic’s Green Auto parallel jumped from $150-200 to $400-500 as he continues to be one of the game’s most touted prospects.
While star rookies and top prospects drive most of the value in the 2020 Bowman set, savvy collectors have also found value in parallels and short prints of lesser known players who are starting to emerge. For example, the Green Auto /99 of White Sox pitcher Dylan Cease has increased from under $50 to over $150 as he established himself in their rotation in 2020-2021. Reds pitcher Tyler Mahle’s Chrome Auto jumped from under $20 to $75-100 after a breakout 2021 season. Even depth players like Joey Bart (Giants), Gavin Sheets (White Sox) and Alec Bohm (Phillies) have seen increases of 2-3x on parallels and short prints from 2020 Bowman.
The 2020 Bowman release occurred during an unusual season but still featured many rookies and prospects that are already proving to hold long term value. Stars like Lux, Robert and Carlson leading the way with their base rookies 2-3x initial prices. Meanwhile, short printed parallels of the top prospects like Franco and Kelenic have 5x’ed in the secondary market. For savvy investors, 2020 Bowman remains one of the top recent releases to hold for future gains as many of these young players continue developing their careers. While individual cards may cool off temporarily, the entire set has proven to be a solid long term basketball to stash away for continued appreciation.
