The 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball collection is set to make waves in the world of sports card collecting. This highly anticipated release combines the thrill of MLB draft picks with the unexpected inclusion of football legend Tom Brady.
Scheduled to hit shelves in mid-December, the collection follows in the footsteps of the successful 2023 Bowman Baseball and Bowman Chrome releases. It features a lineup of noteworthy prospects such as Wyatt Langford, Paul Skenes, and Ethan Salas. Collectors can choose between Hobby Jumbo and Super Jumbo boxes, each packed with a variety of cards, autographs, and parallels.
The base set of 200 cards showcases the top draft picks and MLB prospects, with a special “1st Bowman” notation and image variations for 10 players. Notable Hall of Famers, Josh Gibson and Carl Yastrzemski, make an appearance as short-printed RetroFractor cards, with Yastrzemski also having an autographed version.
One of the highlights of the collection is the wide range of parallels available in both paper and chrome formats. Collectors can expect to find new Aqua/Pink and Red/Green Gradient Borders, as well as hobby box exclusive Orange Borders. Chrome cards introduce several unique refractors, including Lunar Glow and Fuchsia Lunar, among others.
The collection also pays homage to the classic 1954 Bowman baseball design with the Bowman 1954 Flag Variation inserts. These cards feature young players posed against their home flags, adding a touch of nostalgia to the collection. Additionally, the collection includes the Bowman Draft Glass and Chrome Prospector’s Special Die-Cut inserts, along with the debut of the Transformative Talents and Draft Picks & Prospects inserts.
However, the most surprising addition to the collection is the presence of Tom Brady as a “Dream Draft Pick.” While no preview images are available, the card raises the intriguing question of “What if?” Brady, who was initially drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1995, is celebrated in this collection with limited Refractor parallels. This unexpected inclusion has sparked excitement among both football and baseball fans.
The set also boasts a diverse range of autographs, with options like Chrome Prospect Autographs, Mood Ring Red Autographs, and Bowman ’54 Flag Variation Red Refractor autographs. Collectors can also find dual signatures in the Franchise Futures Dual Autographs and spotlight cards featuring this year’s notable MLB draft choices in the Class of 2023 Autographs.
For collectors seeking rare and unique items, the collection offers autographed booklets and Under Armour Game Autographed cards. The autographed booklets include the “Positioned for Excellence” booklet, limited to just 10 copies, and the “Picked for Excellence” Autographed booklet, limited to a mere 5 copies. These prized items also come with Red Refractor parallels (limited to 5) and SuperFractors (1/1), making them highly coveted among collectors.
The set’s inclusion of Tom Brady as a “Dream Draft Pick” adds a new level of excitement and intrigue to an already highly anticipated collection. With limited Gold Refractor parallels and autographed variations, Brady’s cards are sure to be a sought-after addition for both football and baseball fans alike.
Overall, the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball collection is a comprehensive and thrilling release that combines the excitement of MLB prospects with the unexpected appearance of Tom Brady. With its extensive range of cards, parallels, and autographs, this collection is sure to be a hit among collectors and sports enthusiasts.