The 2023 Bowman baseball card set is set to be released in late March/early April and as always, it will feature top prospects and young stars from all 30 MLB organizations. While the exact checklist has not been revealed yet, here are some of the top Bowman baseball cards to keep an eye out for based on prospects lists and minor league performances from 2022.
One of the most highly-anticipated rookie cards in the 2023 Bowman set will undoubtedly belong to Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman. The number one overall pick from the 2019 draft had a breakout season in 2022, making his MLB debut in late April and cementing himself as the Orioles everyday catcher. Rutschman hit .254 with 13 home runs and 40 RBI in 92 games, showing why he is considered a future star. His rookie cards from 2022 Topps products skyrocketed in value and his Bowman rookie will likely be one of the most sought after cards in the set.
Another rookie catcher generating lots of hype is Detroit Tigers prospect Dillon Dingler. Drafted in the second round in 2020 out of Ohio State, Dingler had a strong season split between High-A and Double-A in 2022, slashing .258/.367/.451 with 13 home runs and 59 RBI in 101 games. He showcased his power and plate discipline, cementing his status as one of the top catching prospects in baseball. Dingler likely starts the 2023 season at Triple-A and his Bowman rookie card will be hot on the collector market.
On the pitching side, one name to watch is Tampa Bay Rays prospect Taj Bradley. The right-hander was selected in the third round of the 2021 draft out of LSU and has rocketed up prospect lists after a dominant 2022 campaign. Splitting time between High-A and Double-A, Bradley posted a 2.99 ERA with 143 strikeouts in 111.1 innings. His mid-90s fastball and sharp slider have generated huge swings and misses. With his talent and the Rays’ track record of developing arms, Bradley’s Bowman rookie will be a strong long-term investment.
Another pitching prospect with huge upside is San Diego Padres lefty Robert Gasser. The Padres used their competitive balance pick in the 2022 draft to select Gasser out of high school in Arizona. He then made his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League and did not disappoint, allowing just one run on eight hits and three walks while striking out 15 over 10 innings. At 6-foot-8 with a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and a power curveball, Gasser has all the makings of a future ace. His first Bowman card will be highly sought after.
Switching over to position player prospects, one of the most exciting young bats belongs to Chicago Cubs outfielder Owen Caissie. The 2018 international signing out of Canada had a breakout 2022 campaign, slashing .322/.429/.563 with 17 home runs and 61 RBI between Low-A and High-A at just 20 years old. Caissie showed off impressive power to all fields and patience at the plate. He will likely start 2023 at Double-A, putting him on the fast track to Wrigleyville. His Bowman rookie will be a collector favorite.
Another position player with huge upside is Tampa Bay Rays infielder Xavier Edwards. The 5-foot-8 speedster was acquired from the Padres in the Tommy Pham trade in 2020 and has done nothing but hit since joining the Rays organization. In 2022, Edwards hit .299 with 38 stolen bases between Double-A and Triple-A. He makes consistent hard contact, sees tons of pitches, and is a base-stealing threat. Edwards likely debuts in the majors in 2023 and will be one of the more sought after rookies in Bowman.
Shifting gears to some other top prospects that may have their rookie cards in 2023 Bowman, keep an eye out for Blue Jays catcher Gabriel Moreno, Mariners outfielder Jarred Kelenic (if considered a rookie), Rangers 3B/OF Josh Jung, Dodgers RHP Bobby Miller, and Royals C MJ Melendez. All of these young talents have had success at either the MLB level or higher levels of the minors in 2022. Their Bowman rookies will be popular with collectors.
Some other international prospects that could debut in the 2023 Bowman set include Twins SS Emiliano Smith, Nationals SS Eddy De La Rosa, and Pirates SS Liover Peguero. All three were top-100 international signings and could start to generate buzz in their first full pro seasons in 2023.
While the exact checklist won’t be known until closer to the set’s release date, based on prospects lists and minor league performances in 2022, these appear to be some of the top Bowman baseball cards to target. As always with prospects, not every player will pan out as expected. But for those who do, their early Bowman rookies will be valuable long-term holdings in any collection. The 2023 Bowman release should once again provide a fun look at some of the future stars of MLB in their earliest card appearances.
