The 2023 Bowman baseball card release will feature prospects from all 30 MLB organizations as the hobby looks ahead to the next generation of future stars. Bowman is considered the premier brand for showcasing top minor leaguers before they make their big league debuts. This year’s crop of prospects eligible for their first Bowman cards is headlined by several highly-touted players expected to impact MLB rosters in the very near future.
One of the most anticipated rookie cards in 2023 Bowman will be for Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Carlos Colmenarez. Considered one of the top international prospects signed last year, the 17-year old from Venezuela has already generated buzz in player development circles for his advanced offensive approach and defensive skills at a premium position. Scouts praise Colmenarez’s bat speed, pitch recognition, and ability to make consistent hard contact. On the defensive side, he possesses above average range and a rocket arm. The Rays have a proven track record of bringing along prospects slowly and deliberately, but some experts believe Colmenarez could reach the majors by age 20 given his precocious talents.
Another international prospect generating first Bowman hype is Detroit Tigers outfielder Emmanuel Mejia. Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2021, the 18-year old Mejia made his U.S. debut this season in the Florida Complex League and immediately stood out with his five-tool abilities. Mejia has impressive raw power to all fields combined with plus-plus speed. He also shows good instincts in the outfield with his routes and jumps on balls. While he still needs refinement at the plate in terms of pitch selection and plate discipline, Mejia’s athleticism and physical tools give him a very high ceiling. The Tigers have aggressively pushed Mejia thus far and he could continue moving quickly through their system.
On the high school side, one of the top 2023 Bowman prospects will be Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Dylan Lesko. Considered one of the jewels of the 2021 draft class, Lesko lived up to the hype in his pro debut by dominating the Arizona Complex League with his mid-90s fastball and plus slider. At just 18 years old, Lesko already possesses three quality pitches with his curveball and changeup also showing promise. His command can get erratic at times, but Lesko’s pure stuff and athletic 6’4 frame give him a great foundation. The Cubs have a history of bringing along young arms judiciously, but Lesko’s dominance as a teenager suggests he may move fast if he continues making adjustments.
Another potential first round arm eligible for his first Bowman card is Boston Red Sox left-hander Jake Miller. The Texas high school product fell all the way to the fourth round last year due to signability concerns, but has made Red Sox scouts look very smart for taking a chance on him. Miller sits low-90s with his fastball and shows the ability to locate it on both sides of the plate. His curveball is a true out-pitch with sharp downward break in the mid-70s. Miller also flashes feel for a changeup and slider. Command is his main development need, but Miller’s three above average pitches give him a high ceiling as a future mid-rotation starter if he can gain consistency.
While most top prospects take the traditional minor league route, a few may make their Bowman debuts after gaining experience via non-traditional paths. One such case is San Diego Padres righty Dylan Carter, who went undrafted out of Central Arizona College in 2021 before signing as a minor league free agent. Carter immediately opened eyes that season by posting a 1.29 ERA with 82 strikeouts in 67 innings split between Low-A and High-A. His fastball sits 92-95 mph with natural sink and his slider shows plus potential. Carter’s success at higher levels as a 21-year old puts him on the prospect radar, though he may need to further refine his command and secondary pitches to stick as a starter long-term.
Those are just a few of the many prospects who could make their first Bowman appearances in 2023. As always, the set will give collectors an early glimpse of the next wave of future MLB contributors. While many will never reach the show, Bowman cards provide the hobby a fun way to track minor leaguers’ development journeys from their earliest pro seasons. For talent evaluators and prospect hounds, it’s also an opportunity to identify the next Carlos Correa or Ronald Acuña Jr before they become household names. The 2023 edition figures to continue showcasing the cream of the crop of tomorrow’s young stars.
