The 2023 Bowman Baseball card set is one of the most highly anticipated releases each year for baseball card collectors and investors. Bowman is considered the premier brand for rookie cards and first cards of top minor league prospects. The 2023 checklist provides the first chance to obtain cards of many future MLB stars who will make their professional debuts this season in the minors.
Some of the top names expected to be featured in the 2023 Bowman set include high school prospects Dustin Harris, Max Clark, and Brock Porter who were all first round picks in the 2022 MLB Draft. On the international side, Dominican shortstop Omar de los Santos and Cuban outfielder Jhonkensy Noel are two of the highest ceiling international prospects who could be in the set.
When it comes to current minor leaguers, catcher Gabriel Lino, shortstops Jackson Chourio and Robert Puason, and outfielders Ender Vidales and Elijah Green are a few names to watch. All five of these prospects are considered top-25 overall talents and will likely start the season playing in either low-A or high-A ball. Their rookie cards will be hot commodities for collectors.
Bowman is also known for including prospects on the verge of a major league debut in their checklist. Players like catcher Diego Cartaya, shortstop Jordan Walker, and outfielder Miguel Vargas could be making the jump to the majors in 2023 and their last Bowman cards would gain value from debuting. Top pitching prospects like Grayson Rodriguez, George Kirby, and Emerson Hancock who are on the cusp of the bigs may also be included.
In addition to prospects, Bowman typically features base rookie cards for many of the top MLB rookies and sophomores from the previous season. Cards to watch for in 2023 could include rookies like Seiya Suzuki, Adley Rutschman, Bobby Witt Jr, Spencer Strider, and Hunter Greene. Sophomore cards of Jonathan India, Randy Arozarena, and Trevor Rogers are also possibilities.
The design each year is always one of the most anticipated parts of a new Bowman release. For 2023, Topps is expected to continue with their modern and colorful aesthetic that has been well received in recent years. Base cards will likely feature vibrant team colors and graphics with clean borders highlighting the players. Parallel and short print variations add to the excitement with different color schemes, textures, and numbering.
Autograph and memorabilia cards provide the high-end chase for collectors. Top prospects will have prized on-card autographs available at lower print runs than their base rookies. Rare 1/1 printing plates engraved with the players’ signature are true holy grails. Memorabilia cards like bat knob or uniform swatches paired with a signature take collector demand to another level.
Bowman’s Draft Pick insert set is a unique feature showcasing the latest draft class. Draft day photos are paired with a write-up of each player taken in the first few rounds. These serve as an early first card for newly drafted amateurs before their true rookie cards arrive down the road. International prospect cards in a similar style also debut players signed from abroad.
While the full checklist won’t be revealed until closer to the product release date in late spring/early summer 2023, these are some of the top names expected to be included that will drive collector interest. As one of the marquee baseball card brands, Bowman continues to unearth rookie cards of future Hall of Famers each year. With so much young talent rising through the minors, the 2023 checklist is primed to produce cards that appreciate greatly in value over time for savvy investors. The release will undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated card sets of next year.
