The 2023 edition of Topps’ Bowman baseball card set is one of the most highly anticipated releases each year. As the flagship rookie card issuer, Bowman provides fans the first card for many of the game’s future stars each season. The 2023 set did not disappoint in terms of the quality and quantity of rookie cards for fans to collect.
One of the biggest storylines from Bowman 2023 was the loaded rookie class, headlined by catcher Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles and infielder Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals. Both players had breakout seasons in 2022 and are expected to be franchise cornerstones for their respective clubs. Rutschman and Witt each received prized autographed rookie cards in the set’s various parallels and inserts. Other highly touted prospects like Spencer Torkelson, C.J. Abrams, and Oneil Cruz also received autographed rookie variations that will be hot on the secondary market.
In terms of design, Bowman 2023 featured a clean and classic look with team logos prominently displayed on a white background. The borders on the standard base cards were thin and allowed the photography to really pop. Topps utilized a variety of sharp action shots that highlighted each player’s skills and athleticism. The photography and crisp team colors combined to create a very appealing and cohesive set aesthetically. For collectors who enjoy flashy parallels and inserts, Bowman 2023 also offered numerous hittable short prints and autographs throughout its various retail and hobby box products.
The set extended well beyond just the first year cards with prospect and minor league inserts also featuring the game’s up-and-coming talent. The “Pro Debut” insert showcased players who had recently made their MLB debuts, while “Bowman Draft” and “Bowman’s Best” highlighted draft picks and top prospects. International prospects also received cards through inserts like “Dominican Summer League.” For modern era and throwback collectors, “Bowman Heritage” and “MLB Debut” inserts provided cards from past years as well.
In addition to the base Bowman set, hobby enthusiasts had several associated high-end products to pursue as well. The Bowman Sterling and Bowman Chrome releases presented the same rookie crop but with parallel and autograph variations inserted in shiny chrome and paper formats. Bowman Draft included draft picks from the previous year’s event. Bowman’s Best highlighted top prospects outside of the base set. And Bowman Mega Boxes provided jumbo-sized cards and hit rates above the standard boxes.
Secondary market demand for 2023 Bowman cards was strong out of the gate, driven by the hype around Rutschman, Witt and other top rookies. Short printed parallels and autographs of the elite prospects commanded high prices. Even base rookie cards of the most coveted players rose above typical Bowman levels. This surge of early interest bodes well long-term for the investment potential of the top 2023 Bowman cards as those players establish themselves in the majors.
The 2023 edition of Bowman baseball fulfilled its mission of providing the hobby with an exciting array of rookie cards, prospects and young talent. The photography and design created an aesthetically pleasing set to collect. With a loaded rookie class headlined by future stars, coupled with numerous high-end parallel and autograph products, Bowman 2023 gave collectors plenty to pursue to satisfy their baseball card appetite. Its early secondary market performance also signaled strong long-term potential for cards from this highly regarded flagship rookie set.
