The 2023 Bowman baseball card set was released in March 2023 and features prospects from all 30 MLB organizations. As with every year, the Bowman set is one of the most highly anticipated releases for collectors looking to get cards of future baseball stars early in their careers. While prices for rookie cards can vary greatly depending on the player and parallels in the set, here is an in-depth look at estimated values for some of the top rookies and inserts in the 2023 Bowman set based on current market trends.
One of the most valuable rookie cards in the set is Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe. As the #1 prospect in baseball heading into 2023 by MLB Pipeline, there is huge excitement around Volpe’s potential. His base rookie card can currently fetch $10-15 raw, with graded PSA 10 copies selling for $75-100. Refractors and parallels command a premium, with yellow refractors around $30-40 raw and orange refractors $50-75 raw. Volpe’s most valuable parallel is likely his /150 green refractor, with PSA 10 copies selling for $300-400 already.
Another top prospect drawing major buzz is Dodgers catcher Diego Cartaya. Ranked as the #2 prospect in baseball by MLB.com, Cartaya has all the tools to be a franchise catcher. His base rookie card sells for $8-12 raw, with PSA 10 copies around $50-75. Cartaya’s most valuable parallel so far appears to be his /150 green refractor, with a PSA 10 selling for over $200. Refractors and parallels like oranges and blues command $20-30 raw for Cartaya.
Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman had a breakout rookie season in 2023 after being the #1 pick in 2019. While he no longer qualifies as a rookie for baseball card purposes, collectors are still seeking out his Bowman cards. His base rookie sells for $5-8 raw, with PSA 10s around $30-40. Refractors and parallels have slightly higher values, with oranges and blues at $10-15 raw. Rutschman remains one of the top catching prospects in baseball, so his Bowman cards hold value.
Other top prospects in the 2023 Bowman set that are generating buzz include Mariners shortstop Emmanuel Valdez (#3 prospect), Diamondbacks outfielder Druw Jones (#4), and Twins outfielder Aaron Sabato (#5). Valdez’s base rookie sells for $6-10 raw, Jones for $5-8 raw, and Sabato for $4-6 raw currently. Their refractors and parallels typically add $5-10 in value depending on the parallel. As these players develop, their Bowman rookie cards could appreciate significantly with strong performances.
In addition to top prospect rookies, collectors are also targeting valuable inserts and parallels in the 2023 Bowman set. The prized “Chrome” parallel inserts featuring prospects in a refractory style are highly sought after. Base chrome inserts sell for $15-20 raw currently, with colors and numbered parallels adding premiums. The prized 1/1 parallel chromes have sold for over $1,000 already. Autograph cards are also hot commodities, with base autos around $50-75 raw on average players. Top prospects like Volpe, Cartaya and Jones can fetch $150-250 for a base auto.
Numbered parallels /50 or lower hold additional value in the 2023 Bowman set. Green parallels /150 sell for $10-15 on average, blues /250 around $8-12, and reds /399 at $5-8. Super short printed parallels like oranges /50 or purple /10 can really spike in value, selling for $30-50 or more depending on the player. Serialized refractors are also popular, with golds /2021 and silvers /2023 around $15-25 raw on average players. Top prospects in short printed parallels can sell for 2-3X as much.
As with any young player card investment, there is risk that a highly-touted prospect may fail to live up to the hype or be derailed by injuries. The 2023 Bowman set offers collectors an early opportunity to acquire cards of the next generation of baseball stars at reasonable prices. For those willing to do research, take a chance on upside, and hold cards long-term, the 2023 Bowman set could pay dividends. Prices are likely to rise over the coming years for stars of the future like Volpe, Cartaya and others as their careers develop.
While prices will fluctuate based on player performance and market conditions, the 2023 Bowman guide provides a general framework for estimated values of the top rookies, inserts and short printed parallels based on current sales data. For avid collectors, focusing on elite prospects, valuable inserts, and low-numbered parallels in the 2023 Bowman set offers the best opportunity to potentially find the next big stars or lucrative long-term investments. Following prospects careers and being willing to hold onto cards for years will be key to realizing profits down the road from this year’s crop of young talent.
