The 2023 Bowman baseball release is one of the most highly anticipated card sets of next year. While we don’t know all the rookies and prospects that will be featured yet, here are some of the top young players whose rookie cards collectors will be chasing:
Druw Jones (OF, Atlanta Braves) – As the 2nd overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, Jones is already one of the top prospects in baseball. He has five-tool potential and incredible bloodlines as the son of five-time All-Star Andruw Jones. His autographed rookie cards from Bowman are sure to be some of the hottest on the secondary market next year. Even his base rookie cards could fetch a premium price given the hype around Jones as one of the crown jewels of the 2022 draft class.
Termarr Johnson (SS, Pittsburgh Pirates) – The 4th overall pick in 2022, Johnson is an electric shortstop with plus speed and defense at a premium position. He made a strong impression in his pro debut and could move quickly through the Pirates system. His autographed rookie cards will be highly sought after by Pirates collectors. Keep an eye out for parallels and short prints of his base rookie as well which could gain value as his prospect stock rises.
Brock Porter (RHP, Texas Rangers) – As the top high school pitching prospect taken in the 2022 draft at #3 overall, Porter owns an electric fastball-curveball combo and projects to rise through the minors quickly. His upside is enormous if he can remain healthy and develop his secondary pitches. Autographed rookie cards will be a hot commodity for Rangers collectors. Even base rookie parallels could hold long term value given Porter’s frontline starter ceiling.
Daniel Espino (RHP, Cleveland Guardians) – A first round pick in 2020, Espino missed most of 2022 due to injury but still possesses three plus pitches and an electric arm when healthy. He has the potential to shoot up prospect lists if he can stay on the mound in 2023. As one of the top pitching prospects in the system, Espino’s autographed rookie cards will be popular with Guardians collectors.
Elijah Green (OF, Cincinnati Reds) – The fifth overall pick in 2022, Green is a true five-tool athlete with 80-grade raw power potential. He has all the physical tools to be a franchise cornerstone. His autographed rookie cards will be a hot commodity, and even base rookie cards could hold value long term as Green develops into a potential superstar.
Brooks Lee (3B, San Diego Padres) – The eighth overall pick in 2022, Lee showed why he was drafted so high with a strong pro debut. He has a polished bat and plus defensive skills at third base. Lee could move quickly and establish himself as one of the top third base prospects in the game. His autographed rookie cards will be highly sought after.
Jackson Holliday (OF, Baltimore Orioles) – As the number one overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, Holliday had a huge signing bonus and high expectations. He has proven hitting ability and could develop additional power as he matures. Holliday’s autographed rookie cards will be at the top of want lists for Orioles collectors next year.
Jackson Jobe (RHP, Detroit Tigers) – A first round pick in 2021, Jobe had a breakout season and established himself as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball in 2022. He features a plus fastball and devastating slider. As a former first rounder developing into a potential ace, Jobe’s autographed rookie cards will be very popular with Tigers collectors.
Emmanuel Rodriguez (SS, Philadelphia Phillies) – Signed for big money out of the Dominican Republic in 2021, Rodriguez made his US debut in 2022 and showed why he was such a coveted international free agent. He has the potential for four plus tools and could develop into a star shortstop. His autographed rookie cards will be hotly pursued.
Adam Klitenic (SS, Colorado Rockies) – A second round pick in 2022, Klitenic turned heads with his pro debut and looks like a potential future shortstop. He has good actions in the field with a line drive swing from the left side. As a potential everyday shortstop, Klitenic’s autographed rookie cards could see strong demand from Rockies collectors.
Brooks Crawford (SS, Oakland Athletics) – A competitive balance round A pick in 2022, Crawford showed why he was so highly regarded as an amateur. He has plus defensive actions at short with a line drive swing from the left side. Crawford could develop into a solid regular and his autographed rookie cards will be popular for A’s collectors chasing an emerging prospect.
Other names to watch include catcher Dustin Harris (Red Sox), outfielder Owen Caissie (Blue Jays), third baseman Eddie Park (Dodgers), pitcher Brock Selvidge (Royals), shortstop Robert Garcia (Marlins), and pitcher Dylan Lesko (Diamondbacks). All were top draft picks or international signings in 2022 with the potential to develop into stars. Their autographed rookie cards will be hot commodities.
In addition to the top rookie cards, keep an eye out for short prints, parallels, and autographs of established prospects like Gunnar Henderson (Orioles), Jackson Chourio (Brewers), Robert Hassell III (Padres), and Anthony Volpe (Yankees). Their cards could jump in value if they break out in 2023.
Veteran star cards to watch include rookie cards and parallels of superstars like Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Ronald Acuna Jr, Vladimir Guerrero Jr, and others who were featured early in their careers in Bowman. As the players develop, so can the value of their early Bowman cards.
The 2023 Bowman baseball release looks poised to feature some of the most exciting young talent in the game. For collectors, it will be an opportunity to get in early on the next generation of stars by chasing their rookie cards. The top prospects will see immediate demand, so it will be important to check retail promptly and monitor the secondary market for emerging talents throughout the year ahead. With any luck, 2023 Bowman will feature some future Hall of Famers still in their early professional careers.
