Bowman Baseball Cards are among the most anticipated releases each year for collectors and investors alike. Produced annually by Topps, Bowman is famous for featuring prospects and young players just starting their careers in Major League Baseball. The 2023 edition is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory due to another highly touted rookie class.
Bowman is the only set each year that has exclusive autographed and memorabilia cards of top prospects and draft picks. Many of the players featured in Bowman go on to have Hall of Fame careers, making their rookie cards extremely valuable investments long term. Names like Ken Griffey Jr, Chipper Jones, Bryce Harper, and Mike Trout first appeared in Bowman and are now some of the most expensive vintage cards on the market.
The 2023 Bowman release is expected to hit stores in late April or early May. Hobby boxes will contain 12 packs with 5 cards per pack, while retail blasters and hangers will offer fewer packs and cards. Autograph and memorabilia cards can be found through hobby boxes, jumbos, and high-end products like Bowman Sterling and Bowman Draft.
Some of the top prospects expected to have prominent rookie cards in 2023 Bowman include Druw Jones (Braves), Jackson Holliday (Orioles), Elijah Green (Royals), Termarr Johnson (Red Sox), and Dylan Lesko (Diamondbacks). All five were drafted within the top 10 picks of the 2022 MLB Draft and have already generated significant buzz in the baseball community.
Druw Jones in particular is one of the most hyped prospects in recent memory due to his bloodlines – he is the son of five-time Gold Glove winner Andruw Jones. Scouts have compared Druw’s tools and athleticism to his father’s in his prime. His autographed cards and memorabilia pieces from 2023 Bowman are expected to be some of the most sought after on the secondary market.
In addition to draft picks, Bowman also features top international signings each year. Names like Roderick Arias (Twins), Jean Ramirez (Rangers), and Lazaro Montes (Dodgers) could emerge as the top international prospects from the 2023 class. Their Bowman rookie cards will be the first chance for collectors to obtain cards of these young players.
Bowman also provides the first MLB cards each year for several veteran players who debuted recently. Names like Bobby Witt Jr, Adley Rutschman, Spencer Torkelson, and Julio Rodriguez had their rookie cards in past Bowman releases and are now stars in the big leagues. The 2023 set will feature the first cards of call-ups from last season like Oneil Cruz, Michael Harris II, and Hunter Greene.
In addition to rookies, Bowman includes base cards, parallels, and inserts of established MLB stars. Popular parallels in recent years have included Prism, Chrome, Refractors, Rainbow Foil, and Gold Ink. Insert sets focus on prospects, draft picks, international signings, and on-field accomplishments. Autograph and memorabilia chase cards of franchise players also offer excitement for breakers.
Secondary market prices for highly sought after rookie cards from Bowman can skyrocket in future years if those players live up to expectations. Examples include cards of Ronald Acuña Jr, Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Fernando Tatis Jr, and Wander Franco that were affordable in their release year but now sell for thousands. With another elite class of prospects, 2023 Bowman rookie cards have similar long term investment potential.
While the release date is still a couple months away, anticipation is already high online within baseball card collecting communities. Hobby box breakers are pre-selling spots for their live breaks on release day. Individual cards of top prospects are even being slabbed and resold before anyone has the actual product in hand yet. It’s a true testament to the hype that surrounds each year’s Bowman release and rookie class.
Whether seeking valuable investments, affordable fan cards of future stars, or just the thrill of the hunt – Bowman 2023 is shaping up to be a monumental release in baseball card history. With its exclusive access to the game’s top prospects and draft picks, the set provides a first look at the next generation of MLB talent. For collectors both casual and hardcore, it will be an exciting few months awaiting the arrival of this highly anticipated new crop of Bowman rookie cards.
