The 2023 Bowman Baseball release is one of the most highly anticipated card releases of the year. As with every year, the Bowman set introduces baseball fans to the next crop of up-and-coming prospects and serves as the rookies cards for many future MLB stars. While it’s impossible to predict exactly which players will pan out, here’s a look at some of the top young talents featured in the 2023 Bowman set who could produce valuable rookie cards in the future.
Druw Jones, CF, Atlanta Braves (1st Round Pick, 2021): As the son of five-time Gold Glover Andruw Jones, Druw came into the draft with a famous baseball name and lived up to the hype by slashing .340/.453/.610 in his pro debut season. Still just 19 years old, Jones has five-tool potential and is considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball. His autograph and numbered rookie cards from Bowman could appreciate significantly if he develops into the elite player many scouts predict. Look for Jones to begin 2023 in Low-A and might reach High-A by the end of the season.
Brock Porter, RHP, Texas Rangers (1st Round Pick, 2022): Porter dominated high school competition with a mid-90s fastball and four good secondary pitches. Some scouts view him as the best pure pitching prospect in the loaded 2022 draft class. Despite signing late and only making one early season start, Porter showcased his upside. As one of the top arms in the loaded Rangers system, his cards hold serious long-term value. With his talent and projection, a successful first full campaign could spark a massive rally in Porter’s rookie card prices.
Termarr Johnson, 2B, Atlanta Braves (Int’l, 2021): Signed out of the Bahamas for $5 million as an international amateur, Johnson opened eyes in his pro debut by hitting .324 with impressive power and speed tools at just 18 years old in rookie ball. He has the type of five-tool ceiling that could make him a future all-star. If Johnson continues progressing in Low-A and beyond next year, his Bowman autographed cards from the prestigious Braves system should only gain in demand.
Emmanuel Rodriguez, SS, Seattle Mariners (Int’l, 2019): Rodriguez came to the Mariners as one of the highest profile international signings of the 2019 class, inking for a $1.4 million bonus at just 16. Still just 20, he’s demonstrated above-average or better skills across the board while hitting for average power in A-ball. Considered one of the top shortstop prospects in the game, numbered and autographed rookie cards from Bowman could emerge as a long-term hold if Rodriguez develops as projected.
Daniel Espino, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks (1st Round Pick, 2019): A dynamic arm already in the Double-A ranks at age 22, Espino combines a mid-to-upper 90s fastball with a wicked slider and ability to miss bats. A frontline starter upside, Espino’s prospect stock rose even more in 2022 by posting a 1.99 ERA with 118 strikeouts in 101 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. His Bowman cards look like holds if Espino continues making strides to reach the majors and establish himself as a legitimate young rotation piece for the D-Backs.
Jackson Holliday, SS, Baltimore Orioles (1st Round Pick, 2022): The son of former MLB outfielder Matt Holliday, Jackson emerged as the top position player in the 2022 draft by displaying advanced hitting skills and above-average defense at shortstop in high school. Given his baseball pedigree and talent level, there’s a good chance Holliday is in the majors by 2025 if all goes well. His Bowman rookie cards could become highly valuable long-term investments, especially for Orioles collectors, if Holliday lives up to the hype.
Jake Bennett, RHP, Boston Red Sox (3rd Round Pick, 2022): One of the major steals of the 2022 draft at pick 100 overall, Bennett instantly emerged as one of the best pitching prospects in the loaded Red Sox system with a four-pitch mix headlined by a mid-90s fastball and plus slider. His pro debut showed the upside, posting a 0.82 ERA over three levels in a brief stint. Don’t be surprised if Bennett blows through the minors. His Bowman cards have the look of solid holds.
Robby Ahlstrom, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers (2nd Round Pick, 2022): Ahlstrom touched triple digits with his fastball during his junior season at Westlake High School in California, one of the top programs in the nation. He leveraged that velocity into becoming one of the biggest risers in the 2022 pre-draft process. The Dodgers have a knack for developing arms – if Ahlstrom thrives, his Bowman rookies could emerge as a steal for savvy collectors.
Noelvi Marte, SS, Seattle Mariners (Int’l, 2015): Signed for a $1.55 million bonus as a 16-year-old, Marte showed why with batting averages of .270 or better at every minor league stop while displaying advanced plate skills, power potential, and solid defense at a premium position. Still just 21, his prospect stock remains high in the system of a Mariners team on the rise. Bowman collectors would be wise to hold Marte cards as a long-term prospect play.
Masyn Winn, SS, Toronto Blue Jays (1st Competitive Balance Round A Pick, 2022): Considered one of the best true shortstop defenders in the 2022 draft class, Winn also displayed a polished hit tool in high school. His early .306 average in short-season ball looks promising. Playing in Toronto’s deep system and lineup, Winn’s cards have a chance to gain more value in the coming years, especially if he hits as well as some scouts predicted.
Luis Matos, OF, San Francisco Giants (Int’l, 2019): Originally signed out of the Dominican Republic, Matos opened eyes in 2022 by hitting .276 with 13 homers and 20 stolen bases between A-ball levels at just 19 years old. His rare combination of power, speed, and defense give him significant offensive upside as a potential long-term regular in San Francisco’s outfield. If Matos comes close to realizing his full potential, his Bowman cards could become very valuable down the road.
Jasson Dominguez, OF, New York Yankees (Int’l, 2019): Considered the top international prospect of the 2019 class after signing for $5.1 million out of the Dominican Republic, Dominguez dealt with injuries that slowed his debut. But when healthy in 2022, he flashed five-tool star upside by hitting .258 with 8 homers in just 184 at-bats between the Florida Complex and Low-A levels at age 19. As long as he remains on track in the minors, Dominguez’s Bowman rookies have shelf life as a blue chip Yankees prospect play.
While predicting prospects is an inexact science, scouts are quite high on the young talents featured in the 2023 Bowman Baseball set. Cards of stars like Druw Jones, Brock Porter, Daniel Espino and others offer long-term collecting potential if they develop as projected. For savvy investors, purchasing affordable graded examples of their premier Bowman rookie autographs or numbers cards represents an opportunity to acquire assets that could appreciate significantly further down the road. With another star-studded draft class also featured, the 2023 Bowman release looks primed to produce valuable rookies of tomorrow.
