The 2023 Bowman baseball card release marks another highly anticipated set from Topps that baseball card collectors look forward to each year. Bowman is famous for being the first brand to feature rookie cards of future MLB stars, giving collectors their first chance to acquire cards showing players in their minor league uniforms before making their big league debuts.
Some of the biggest rookie card hits in recent Bowman sets have included cards like Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s 2018 Bowman Chrome Refractor Auto, Juan Soto’s 2017 Bowman Chrome Auto, and Ronald Acuña Jr’s 2017 Bowman Chrome Refractor Auto. These cards were acquired by savvy collectors pre-rookie and have skyrocketed in value as those players became superstars. The 2023 Bowman release gives another chance to potentially find the next big star.
The standard 2023 Bowman baseball set is a 330 card base set featuring prospects across all 30 MLB teams. Top prospects likely to be spotlighted include Druw Jones (Braves), Termarr Johnson (Braves), Elijah Green (Royals), Jackson Holliday (Orioles), and Emerson Hancock (Mariners). Topps usually includes parallel and short print variations that boost the overall card count to around 400 cards or more when considering special parallels and inserts.
Some key parallels collectors look for in the 2023 Bowman base set include the Rainbow Foil parallels available in /299, /99, /50 and /10 print runs. The Platinum Anniversary parallel commemorates Bowman’s 75th anniversary in 2023 and is limited to just 75 copies. Other parallels like Gold, Silver, and Black are also inserted throughout packs and boxes at different ratios.
In addition to the base set, Bowman 2023 will include several highly anticipated insert sets. The Flagship Prospects set highlights some of the most hyped eligible draft picks and international signings. Other inserts like Bowman’s Best, Defining Moments, and Best of the Class focus on top prospects. Autograph and memorabilia cards of rising stars are also found throughout packs.
Bowman Chrome is considered the premier product release within the set and is where the biggest rookie cards are found. The 2023 Bowman Chrome set is a 200 card base release with the same prospects as the base set but featuring the high-gloss Chrome photo variations collectors love. Parallels in the Chrome set like Refractors, Rainbow Foils, and Platinums hold tremendous value for elite rookie parallels.
Bowman Chrome Autographs and Memorabilia cards are true chase cards that can contain 1st Bowman autographs, patches, and signatures of future MVPs. Past huge hits include Acuña’s 2017 Bowman Chrome Auto, Vlad Jr’s 2018 Bowman Chrome Auto, and Soto’s 2017 Bowman Chrome Auto Patch. With each year, new stars are born in Bowman Chrome that create lifelong collectors.
In addition to packs and boxes of the standard and Chrome sets, Bowman 2023 will offer several high-end products. The popular Bowman Draft and Bowman International products spotlight recently signed prospects. Limited releases like Bowman Sterling and Exquisite provide ultra-high-end parallels, patches, and autographs. Case breaks of full master cases offer the ultimate chance at hitting big in Bowman.
While the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers are the big draws, Bowman 2023 also gives collectors a fun look at prospects currently in the minors. Following the development of players from their first Bowman cards to the majors is part of what makes the Bowman brand so unique and enjoyable for collectors. Whether chasing the next big star or simply enjoying the prospecting aspect, the 2023 Bowman baseball release looks to continue delivering top prospects and rookie cards for years to come.
For dedicated baseball card collectors, Bowman 2023 represents the annual chance to potentially acquire pre-rookie cards of the sport’s next generation of stars at affordable prices. Savvy collectors who have hit big on Bowman cards in the past will certainly be looking to repeat that success with the fresh crop of prospects featured this year. The 2023 release is sure to create plenty of excitement both on the field in the minor leagues and in the collecting hobby throughout the year.
