The 2019 Bowman baseball card set was another highly anticipated release from Topps. As the flagship rookie card product, Bowman is always eagerly awaited by collectors looking to get cards of the newest prospects coming up through the minor leagues. The 2019 edition contained a wide array of exciting rookie cards and prospects to track.
Some of the top rookies featured in the 2019 Bowman set included Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Eloy Jimenez, Kyle Tucker, Forrest Whitley, Casey Mize, Brendan McKay, and Matt Manning. All of these players were considered some of the best prospects in baseball and many were on the cusp of making their MLB debuts. Guerrero Jr. and Jimenez in particular generated a ton of hype as both were expected to be cornerstone players for the Blue Jays and White Sox for years to come. Their rookie cards from Bowman sold for premium prices.
In addition to the base set, Bowman 2019 also had several highly sought after parallels and inserts. The prized “Paper” parallel featured vibrant color-matched borders and a thinner stock that gave them a very unique look. These parallel cards numbered around 1 per jumbo box and featured the top prospects. Other popular inserts included the “Bowman’s Best” autograph and memorabilia cards showcasing rookie signatures and pieces of jersey or bat. The “Chrome” parallel cards with their shiny refractors were also a big hit with collectors.
International prospects were also highlighted with the return of the “Green Paper” parallel cards. Featuring prospects from other countries, these cards included Wander Franco of the Dominican Republic who many considered the top international prospect. Other notable international players included Luis Garcia of the Dominican Republic and Orelvis Martinez from the Bahamas. With the growing international player pools, these types of cards became increasingly collectible.
The base set checklist included a total of 300 cards with the usual assortment of current MLB stars mixed in with the prospects. Notable veterans in the set included Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger, Ronald Acuna Jr., and Juan Soto who had all broken out as superstars the previous season. This provided collectors with popular MLB names to chase alongside the prospects. Parallels and inserts added several hundred more cards to the overall checklist.
In terms of design, the 2019 Bowman cards featured a clean and simple look emphasizing photography. Most cards utilized headshots of the players with a blue and white color scheme. The borders were thin to allow more of the image to show. Select cards also featured action photography showing the players in game situations. The design was well received by collectors for its crisp and straightforward presentation focusing on the talent.
Release of the 2019 Bowman set occurred in the early summer with jumbo boxes being the primary retail product. These large boxes containing 24 packs served as the main way to collect the complete base set and chase after hits. Hobby boxes and blasters were also available with fewer packs for those looking for a more affordable option. As an online-only release, the primary sellers were sites like Topps.com, Steel City Collectibles, and Dave & Adam’s Card World.
Secondary market prices for the top rookie cards from 2019 Bowman skyrocketed within the first year as many of the prospects began making their MLB debuts. Guerrero Jr. and Jimenez cards in particular doubled or tripled in price. Parallels and autographs of the elite prospects commanded four-figure price tags. Even base rookies of breakout stars like Tucker and Whitley increased significantly. This demonstrated just how prescient the 2019 Bowman release was in featuring so many players who immediately impacted the big leagues.
The 2019 Bowman baseball card set proved again why it is the most essential product for rookie card collectors each year. Featuring a talented array of prospects who went on to become stars, along with parallel and hit chase opportunities, the set delivered memorable rookie cards and provided an early investment on future MLB contributors. Its simple yet effective photography-based design also kept the focus on the burgeoning talent. As one of the flagship Bowman releases of the 2010s, the 2019 edition left a definite mark on the collecting world.
