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BOWMAN 2023 BASEBALL CARDS PREVIEW

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The 2023 Bowman baseball card set is one of the most highly anticipated releases each year for collectors and fans. As the first major set to feature prospects and rookie cards of players that will debut in the upcoming season, Bowman gives a first look at the future stars of MLB.

This year’s Bowman set promises to be one of the deepest in recent memory in terms of star prospects. Headlining the rookie class is likely to be Cardinals catcher and 2019 first overall pick Andrew Jones. Jones made his MLB debut in 2022 and showed why he is considered a future superstar, hitting .280 with 13 home runs in 108 games. His prized rookie card is sure to be one of the chase cards in 2023 Bowman.

Another elite catching prospect that could debut in 2023 is Padres farmhand Luis Campusano. Once considered the top catching prospect in the minors, injuries slowed his progress but he hit .296 between Double-A and Triple-A in 2022. Campusano has plus power from both sides of the plate and should be near the top of San Diego’s prospect rankings. His Bowman rookie could be one to watch.

On the pitching side, Braves top prospect Michael Harris II made a strong MLB debut after being a standout in this year’s Bowman set. Fellow Braves hurler Spencer Strider also had a breakout rookie campaign that was previewed in 2022 Bowman. Strider’s prospect card jumped in value as he emerged as a future ace.

Some other top pitching prospects that may receive their first Bowman cards in 2023 include Druw Jones of the Braves, the #2 overall pick in 2022 and son of Andruw Jones. Jones has elite tools and could move quickly. Tigers lefty Jace Jung, the younger brother of Rangers third baseman Josh Jung, had a strong full season debut and may get his first card. Reds righty Hunter Greene had a solid rookie year and his prospect card could gain steam. White Sox prospect Garrett Crochet is another flamethrower to watch after missing 2022 due to injury recovery.

On the position player side, high school shortstop Termarr Johnson was taken 29th overall by the Red Sox and has star potential. Dodgers catcher Diego Cartaya is one of the best offensive catchers in the minors. Mariners outfielder Edwin Arroyo and Rangers third baseman Justin Foscue had breakout seasons and their prospect values increased. Cardinals outfielder Alec Burleson continued hitting at every level and may receive a Bowman rookie.

In terms of international prospects, keep an eye out for the first cards of Cuban infielder Lazaro Montes, signed by the Cubs for $3 million, and Dominican shortstop Robert Puason, signed by the Athletics for $5.1 million. Both have elite tools and could rise up prospect lists quickly.

When it comes to parallels and inserts, Bowman is known for its popular Chrome, Black, and Gold parallels along with hit prospects like Inception, Inception Velocity, and Sterling. Serial Numbered parallels like Green /50 and Orange /25 add to the chase. Autograph and memorabilia cards of top prospects like Jones, Campusano and the Jung brothers will be in high demand.

Bowman also features prospects from Japan with the Wander Franco Superfractor parallel being the biggest hit in recent years. Cards of current MLB stars in their prospect years like Shohei Ohtani add to the nostalgia of the set.

Release date for the 2023 Bowman baseball set is expected to be in late April or early May. Hobby boxes will contain 12 packs with 7 cards per pack. Jumbo boxes with 24 packs will also be available. As one of the first looks each year at the future of MLB, Bowman is a must-have for collectors looking to get cards of stars before they break out. With another elite rookie class on the horizon, 2023 Bowman is primed to be a highly popular and valuable set.

2023 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS PREVIEW

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The 2023 Topps baseball card release is one of the most highly anticipated issues in recent years. Topps has big plans to celebrate 75 years of producing America’s favorite baseball cards. Here’s an in-depth look at what collectors can expect from the flagship Topps baseball set releasing in February 2023.

The base card design pays homage to classic Topps designs from the 1950s and 1960s. The cards will have a vertical orientation and feature bold primary color borders along with a simple team logo at the top. Player names, positions, and stats will be printed in classic font styles. Topps is aiming to capture the nostalgic feel of the early years of the brand with this retro-inspired base card design. Parallels and insert sets will also utilize similar classic aesthetic themes.

Rookies will again be the chase for collectors. Topps rookies of superstars like Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto from recent years have shattered records on the secondary market. Some of the top rookie cards to watch for in the 2023 set include Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., Adley Rutschman, and Oneil Cruz. Topps has also teased “one of the biggest short prints in years” as part of the rookie card checklist.

The base set will feature 750 cards as usual. Insert sets will include Topps Chrome, Photo Variations, Negative Photographs, and Topps Fire inserts with red-hot parallels. The popular Topps Now program will continue with hits featuring up-to-the-minute performances and milestones from the 2022 season. Topps Allen & Ginter-inspired Nature Name Variations and Museum Collection wood grain parallels are anticipated inserts as well.

To celebrate their 75th anniversary, Topps is including an oversized card in every hobby box and special anniversary logos/designs throughout the set. The highly coveted 1/1 card is rumored to feature a retired player no longer featured in Topps sets. Autograph and memorabilia cards will include on-card and relic signatures of both current stars and legends from Topps history. Box loaders and promotional materials will also have a retro look and feel.

Parallels are sure to be a big part of the anniversary release. Topps usually includes several parallel variations like gold, silver, black, and rainbow foil. For the 75th anniversary, expect parallels printed on specialty stock like acetate, mylar, and embossed foil. Numbered parallels will likely be limited to 75 copies or less as a nod to the milestone year. Topps’ popular Chrome and negative photo parallels are also anticipated to have special anniversary treatments.

Ebay will be abuzz with early unopened box breaks and case breaks as the release date approaches. Pre-orders are already selling out at major card shops and online retailers. Based on early buzz and collector demand, the 2023 Topps baseball release is shaping up to be one of the most valuable modern issues yet. Prices for unopened boxes are estimated to start around $150-200 each and work their way up from there depending on parallel/hit odds. Individual hobby packs can be found for $5-10 each.

Topps has also announced special Diamond Anniversary packs available exclusively to members of their Topps Loyalty Club. These packs will feature guaranteed hits like autographs, relics, and 1/1 parallels pulled directly from the flagship release at reduced odds. Loyalty Club membership is free but packs will likely sell out fast. It’s a great perk for diehard Topps collectors.

In addition to the traditional cardboard release, Topps is venturing further into the digital collecting space with Topps NFTs. The Topps NFT platform allows collectors to purchase, trade, and redeem physical cards from Topps releases. For the 2023 baseball release, Topps NFTs will feature special animated parallels only available in digital form. Holders can redeem these 1-of-1 animated cards for physical versions with authentication. It’s an intriguing new model that blends physical and digital collecting.

The 2023 Topps baseball release is primed to be a monumental anniversary set. With retro designs, big rookie class, abundant parallels and hits, and special anniversary treatments – it has all the makings of a true flagship release. Savvy collectors are already making plans and setting aside funds for what’s sure to be one of the crown jewels of any sports card collection when it arrives in February. After 75 years, Topps continues to deliver the cards that baseball card collectors worldwide cherish.