The 2023 Bowman baseball card set is one of the most highly anticipated releases each year from Topps. As the first major set featuring prospects and young MLB stars each season, 2023 Bowman gives collectors their first cards of baseball’s future stars right as they begin their professional careers. With prospect autographs, color parallels, and short printed cards, 2023 Bowman offers collectors numerous chase cards at both the high-end and more affordable levels. Let’s take a look at some of the most desirable rookie and young star cards collectors will be hunting for in the 2023 Bowman set.
One of the top rookies in the 2023 Bowman set is Druw Jones (#152). As the #2 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Jones generated huge hype leading up to the draft as one of the best prep prospects in years. The son of former MLB star Andruw Jones, Druw has five-tool potential and his autographed rookie cards from Bowman are sure to be hot commodities. Another prized rookie is Elijah Green (#153), who was taken #3 overall by the Detroit Tigers in the 2022 draft. Green has tantalizing raw power that could make him a perennial All-Star if it develops as expected. His autographed rookie cards will be must-owns for Tigers collectors and prospect hounds.
Two other top prospects to watch for are Jackson Holliday (#154) and Brooks Lee (#155). Holliday was the #1 overall pick in 2022 by the Baltimore Orioles and has impressive all-around skills that could allow him to hit for average and power while providing defensive value up the middle. Lee was a 1st round pick by the Minnesota Twins in 2022 and hit his way to a college World Series title at Cal Poly earlier this year. Lee has a polished all-fields hitting approach that could serve him well in pro ball. Autographs of Holliday and Lee are sure to be among the most sought-after rookie cards in 2023 Bowman.
Beyond the premier rookie cards, collectors will want to track down color parallels and short prints of the top prospects. Green, Holliday, Jones, and Lee can all be found in various parallels like green, blue, purple, orange and red refractors that number to /499 or less copies. These limited color parallels exponentially increase the value of the cards. Additionally, Topps often short prints select rookie cards, meaning they are printed in far lower quantities than the base rookies. Short prints of the top names could potentially be worth 10x or more than their base counterparts.
In addition to the headliner rookies, keep an eye out for prospects like Emmanuel Rodriguez (#156), Daniel Susac (#157), Chase DeLauter (#158), and Owen Caissie (#159). All four were drafted in the 1st or 2nd round in 2022 and could emerge as impact talents. Their autographed rookie cards will be worth obtaining. Other international prospects to watch include Livan Soto (#160), who signed with the Giants out of the Dominican Republic for $3 million in 2021, and Masahiro Sakaguchi (#161), a promising young arm from Japan.
While rookies take top billing, 2023 Bowman also offers affordable cards of current young MLB stars just before they break out. Cards like Wander Franco (#77), Bobby Witt Jr. (#78), Adley Rutschman (#79), and Julio Rodriguez (#80) from their first Bowman issues can be picked up for under $10 in most cases. Within a few years, those same cards could realistically appreciate to the $50-100 range or more as those players cement All-Star caliber careers. Other under-the-radar young talents to target include Oneil Cruz (#81), Spencer Torkelson (#82), C.J. Abrams (#83), and Riley Greene (#84).
In addition to the base set, 2023 Bowman also features several highly anticipated insert sets. The Bowman Chrome set includes refractor and parallel versions of the top rookies and prospects. These shiny Chrome cards premiumize the biggest names. Another popular insert is Bowman Autographics, which features 1/1 autographed parallel cards of the top draft picks and international signings. Hitting a 1/1 parallel autographed card of a star like Druw Jones or Elijah Green would be a true jackpot pull. Additional coveted inserts include Birthday Cards featuring the birthday of stars, as well as Clubhouse Collection relic and autograph cards showcasing game-worn memorabilia.
Overall, 2023 Bowman is primed to be one of the most exciting releases of the year. With a new class of elite prospects headlined by Druw Jones, Elijah Green and others, along with affordable cards of current young talents like Wander Franco and Bobby Witt Jr., there are investing and collecting opportunities for all budgets. Savvy collectors will want to scout the top rookies across the base set, parallels, autographs and short prints. Those who hit the biggest rookie cards of the future stars could reap significant rewards down the road. The 2023 Bowman release is one every baseball fan and investor will want to keep a close eye on.
