The 2023 Bowman baseball card release is one of the most highly anticipated issues of the year. As a major set focused on top MLB prospects and rookie cards, Bowman annually draws a lot of interest from collectors both young and old. With the 2023 edition now hitting the market, let’s take an in-depth look at some of the top rookies and prospects to watch, along with estimated current values for many of the prized rookie cards using a combination of recent sales data and market analysis.
One of the biggest storylines in the 2023 Bowman set revolves around Detroit Tigers prospect Jackson Jobe. As the #3 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, Jobe is one of the highest profile prospects in the set. His base rookie card can currently be found for around $15-20, while parallels and autographs are much rarer and more valuable. Jobe’s Top Prospect card and /99 purple refractor parallel have recently sold in the $75-100 range. Autographs and 1/1 parallels could potentially fetch thousands given the hype around Jobe’s future potential.
Another pitcher drawing a lot of early buzz is Los Angeles Angels prospect Zach Neto. Neto had a breakout season in A ball in 2022 and has skyrocketed up prospect rankings. His base rookie card trades for around $10 currently, with color and autographed parallels much scarcer. Neto’s Top Prospect card and /299 orange refractor parallel have sold for $30-50 in recent weeks. Like Jobe, higher end Neto cards could see big jumps in value if he continues to develop his skills in the upper minors next season.
On the position player side, Washington Nationals prospect Elijah Green is one of the premier prospects in the 2023 Bowman set. As a potential five-tool center fielder taken 5th overall in the 2022 draft, Green possesses huge upside. His base rookie sells in the $12-15 range currently. Green’s Top Prospect card and /99 purple parallel have moved for $50-75, showing strong early collector interest. Like Jobe and Neto, Green’s rarer autographed and 1/1 refractor parallels could be true long-term gems in the set.
Another position player generating a lot of buzz is Baltimore Orioles prospect Carlos Tavera. Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2021, Tavera had a breakout season in the Florida Complex League in 2022. His tools and upside are exciting for Orioles fans. Tavera’s base rookie trades around $8 currently. His Top Prospect and /299 orange refractor parallel have sold in the $25-35 range, reflecting his rising prospect stock. Tavera has a chance to continue climbing prospect lists in 2023, making his cards a potential sleeper in the set.
In terms of other prospects to watch, Atlanta Braves pitcher Owen Murphy, Chicago White Sox outfielder Roberto Campos, and San Diego Padres shortstop Jackson Merrill all have rookie cards attracting early attention. Murphy’s cards trade around $10, while Campos and Merrill are in the $7-9 range currently for their base rookies. All three have shown glimpses of impact potential and could break out in full season ball next year. Their Top Prospect and color parallels are still attainable investments under $30 at this stage.
When it comes to veteran stars and reprints, Acuna Jr., Soto, and Tatis Jr. cards unsurprisingly reign supreme as the most expensive in the set. The Ronald Acuna Jr. Top Prospect card has sold for as much as $500 in PSA 10 condition. His base rookie still fetches $75-100. Juan Soto’s Top Prospect card trades for $300-400 in a PSA 10, with his base around $50-75. Fernando Tatis Jr.’s Top Prospect is even more elusive, with a PSA 10 copy selling for over $1000. His base rookie goes for $150-200 currently.
The 2023 Bowman baseball set is loaded with emerging prospects that have the potential to become future stars. While current values on base rookies are still very affordable across the board, savvy collectors would be wise to target select parallels and autographs of the top prospects profiled here. With another year of player development on the horizon, breakout performances could significantly boost the values of cards for prospects like Jobe, Neto, Green and others heading into the 2024 season. The set remains one of the best places to get in early on the next generation of MLB talent.
