The 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball collection is set to be one of the most highly anticipated releases for baseball card enthusiasts. With a fantastic lineup of MLB prospects and the unexpected inclusion of Tom Brady, this collection offers something for every fan.
Scheduled to hit the shelves in mid-December, the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball collection follows the success of the 2023 Bowman Baseball and Bowman Chrome sets. It introduces a fresh crop of notable prospects, including Wyatt Langford, Paul Skenes, and Ethan Salas. Collectors can choose from Hobby Jumbo and Super Jumbo boxes, each offering a range of cards, autographs, and parallels.
The base set of 200 cards shines a spotlight on the top MLB draft picks and prospects, with special “1st Bowman” notations and image variations for 10 players. In a nostalgic touch, the collection includes short-printed RetroFractor cards featuring Hall of Famers Josh Gibson and Carl Yastrzemski, with Yastrzemski also having an autographed version.
The collection boasts an impressive array of parallels in both paper and chrome formats. Exciting new additions include the Aqua/Pink and Red/Green Gradient Borders, as well as the exclusive Orange Borders available only in hobby boxes. For chrome cards, collectors will find an array of refractors, such as Lunar Glow and Fuchsia Lunar, adding a touch of sparkle to the collection.
Drawing inspiration from the 1954 Bowman baseball design, the inserts in this year’s collection pay homage to the past. The Bowman 1954 Flag Variation inserts feature young players showcased against their home country flags. Additionally, fans can look forward to the Bowman Draft Glass and Chrome Prospector’s Special Die-Cut inserts, as well as the debut of the Transformative Talents and Draft Picks & Prospects inserts.
The most exciting aspect of this year’s collection is the inclusion of Tom Brady as a “Dream Draft Pick.” While no preview images have been released, collectors can only imagine what the card will look like. The set will also feature limited Refractor parallels for Brady’s Dream Draft Pick card, allowing fans to own a unique collectible featuring the NFL legend.
Autograph enthusiasts will not be disappointed with the diverse range of autographs available in the Bowman Draft Baseball collection. From Chrome Prospect Autographs to Mood Ring Red Autographs and Bowman ’54 Flag Variation Red Refractor autographs, there is a wide selection to choose from. Dual signatures can be found in the Franchise Futures Dual Autographs, while the Class of 2023 Autographs highlight this year’s standout draft choices.
For collectors on the lookout for rare and unique autographs, this collection has plenty to offer. The Class of 2023 Autographs section showcases the most prominent MLB draft picks of the year, with new Green Refractor parallels adding a fresh twist. In addition, collectors can hunt for Gold, Red, and SuperFractor parallels, each offering a different level of rarity and desirability.
Tom Brady’s inclusion in the collection as a “Dream Draft Pick” is undoubtedly a standout feature. The Gold Refractor parallel, limited to only 50 cards, is sure to be highly sought after. Other Refractor parallels, including Orange and Red, as well as the extremely rare SuperFractor, provide further collectible options for fans of both football and baseball.
Collectors can also look forward to Base Set Gold Retrofractor Autographs, which follow the same parallel configuration as the Brady autographs. These limited edition autographs add an extra layer of rarity and value to the collection.
For those seeking even more exclusive items, the Draft Glass Autographs bring a touch of elegance. Numbered to 99, these autographs come with various parallels, including Lava, Gold Mini-Diamond, and hobby-exclusive Orange, Red, and SuperFractor parallels.
Adding an element of surprise and diversity to the collection, there are Image Variation Autograph parallel cards numbered to 99. These cards present a different visual take on some of the players featured in the set, making them a unique find for collectors.
The autographed booklets featured in the collection are particularly special. The “Positioned for Excellence” booklet, limited to just 10 copies, and the even rarer “Picked for Excellence” Autographed booklet, limited to only 5 copies, are highly coveted by collectors. With Red Refractor and SuperFractor parallels, these autographed booklets are some of the most prized items in the collection.
Rounding out the collection are the Under Armour Game Autographed cards, which feature various serial numbers and showcase autographs from some of the most promising young talents in baseball.
In conclusion, the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball collection is a must-have for collectors and fans alike. With an exciting lineup of MLB prospects, the inclusion of a football legend like Tom Brady, a variety of cards, parallels, and autographs, this collection promises to deliver thrills and surprises. Get ready to add these cards to your collection and celebrate the future stars of Major League Baseball.
