The 2023 Bowman Draft baseball card set is one of the most highly anticipated releases each year from card manufacturer Topps. As the name implies, Bowman Draft features prospects selected in the MLB First-Year Player Draft from the current year. With the 2023 draft taking place from June 13-15, this set provides a first look at photography and information for many of the top amateur players just starting their professional careers.
Bowman Draft is one of four annual Bowman sets released by Topps, along with Bowman (featuring current minor leaguers), Bowman Sterling (high-end variants), and Bowman Chrome (refractors and parallels). What makes Bowman Draft unique is its exclusive license with Major League Baseball to photograph and produce cards of drafted players before they even sign. No other card company has this ability, making certain Bowman Draft rookies extremely scarce in their earliest printed form.
Release timing for Bowman Draft varies slightly year-to-year but usually occurs in late July through early August. This allows Topps to capture the draft class immediately after selection and rush those players into production. The 2023 version is expected to hit retailers nationwide around the first week of August. Case breaks and individual boxes/packs will be available through major online distributors like Dave & Adam’s, Steel City Collectibles and Blowout Cards from that date forward.
Base set size for Bowman Draft has remained consistent at 150 cards for several years. This includes photographs and stats for the top prospects from the draft class. Serial numbers on the back provide a brief scouting report and other relevant details about each player. Ranging from first round picks all the way down to late selections, the set aims to highlight as much of the draft class as possible within the 150 card checklist.
Parallels and inserts extend the set significantly beyond the base cards. Rainbow foil, black, and gold parallels can be pulled along with autographed and memorabilia rookie cards of the draft class. Popular “Chrome” and refractors parallels also debut players in a shiny format. Themed insert sets within Bowman Draft often pay tribute to past greats, events, and award-winners from baseball’s history. Overall set collectors can expect north of 500 total cards before considering short prints and serial numbered cards.
Autograph and memorabilia cards remain the most coveted Chase cards for high-end collectors. Numbered to typically 10 or less copies each, 1/1 printing plate autographs have become especially rare and valuable pieces within Bowman Draft in recent years. Dual autographs featuring two top prospects are also popular inserts pulling premium prices in the secondary market. For the ultra-rare collector, Topps even produces 1/1 Diamond Anniversary patches featuring swatches of actual draft event jerseys.
While set specifics for 2023 Bowman Draft are not fully revealed yet, early indicators point to another stellar rookie class on the way. Players expected to be well-represented include high school shortstop Jackson Holliday (son of Matt Holliday) as a potential top overall pick along with prep outfielders Dylan Lesko, Elijah Green and Brooks Lee. From the college ranks, Vanderbilt pitchers Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter plus Florida righty Hunter Barco could draw extra attention from collectors.
As in years past, parallels will give collectors multiple options to chase down their favorite prospects. Topps Chrome and Refractor parallels add scintillating color and texture to the rookie photos. Gold and black label parallels offer limited edition variations. And for those wanting true one-of-a-kind items, autographed cards, game worn memorabilia, and 1/1 printing plates will provide the ultimate rookie cards for any draft prospect.
Whether pursuing base cards, parallels, autographs or one-of-ones, the 2023 Bowman Draft release offers a unique opportunity to obtain the earliest rookie cards possible for the next great generation of MLB stars. With a solid draft class on the way, coupled with the set’s traditional short print strategies, this year’s Bowman Draft is primed to be one of the most exciting and valuable issues in recent memory. Look for it to arrive at the beginning of August with breakers, bloggers and the card community eagerly awaiting to see what rookies this year’s draft class has in store.
