The 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball collection is generating immense excitement among collectors and fans of the sport. Not only does it showcase notable MLB draft picks and rising stars, but it also includes a surprising addition: Tom Brady, the legendary NFL figure. Brady, who was briefly a draft pick for the Montreal Expos in 1995, is celebrated in the collection as a “Dream Draft Pick,” though no preview images have been released yet.
Set to be released in mid-December, the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball collection follows the highly successful 2023 Bowman Baseball and Bowman Chrome releases. It brings together a diverse selection of prospects, including Wyatt Langford, Paul Skenes, and Ethan Salas. The collection offers Hobby Jumbo and Super Jumbo boxes, featuring a range of cards, autographs, and parallels in each.
The base set of 200 cards highlights the top draft picks and MLB prospects, with special notations and image variations for 10 players labeled as “1st Bowman.” Additionally, the collection features the short-printed RetroFractor cards of Hall of Famers Josh Gibson and Carl Yastrzemski, with Yastrzemski’s card also available in an autographed version.
One of the standout features of the collection is the wide array of parallels available in both paper and chrome formats. Collectors can look forward to new additions like the Aqua/Pink and Red/Green Gradient Borders, as well as exclusive Orange Borders only found in hobby boxes. The chrome cards introduce several intriguing refractors, including Lunar Glow and Fuchsia Lunar.
In keeping with the tradition of paying homage to baseball’s rich history, the collection features inserts inspired by the iconic 1954 Bowman baseball design. The Bowman 1954 Flag Variation inserts showcase young players against their home country’s flags, injecting a sense of national pride. The collection also includes the Bowman Draft Glass and Chrome Prospector’s Special Die-Cut inserts, which add a unique visual element. This year, new inserts make their debut, such as Transformative Talents and Draft Picks & Prospects.
However, the most captivating addition to the collection is Tom Brady’s Dream Draft Picks card, which raises the tantalizing question of “What if?” This card comes with various limited Refractor parallels, adding to its collectible allure. The set also offers diverse autographs, including Chrome Prospect Autographs, Mood Ring Red Autographs, and Bowman ’54 Flag Variation Red Refractor autographs.
The collection also showcases dual signatures in the Franchise Futures Dual Autographs section and highlights the notable MLB draft choices in the Class of 2023 Autographs category. To further elevate the excitement, there are special autographed booklets and Under Armour Game Autographed cards available, offering collectors a wide range of unique and rare autographed items.
The Class of 2023 Autographs section specifically focuses on the most prominent MLB draft picks of the year and introduces new Green Refractor parallels. These autographs, along with the Gold, Red, and SuperFractor parallels, provide collectors with a variety of options to acquire exclusive pieces.
The inclusion of Tom Brady as a “Dream Draft Pick” in the set is particularly significant. With only 50 Gold Refractor parallels available, Brady’s presence adds an intriguing cross-sport element for fans of both football and baseball. Other parallel options for Brady’s card include Orange, Red, and the exceptionally rare SuperFractor, making each one a unique and prized collectible.
Adding to the exclusivity and desirability of the collection are the Base Set Gold Retrofractor Autographs, which are limited to just 50 cards and follow the same parallel configuration as the Brady autographs. These autographs offer collectors an additional layer of rarity and value.
Collectors seeking even more unique items will be thrilled to discover the Image Variation Autograph parallel cards, numbered to 99. These cards offer a different visual perspective on some of the players featured in the set, adding an element of surprise and diversity to collectors’ finds.
The autographed booklets are gems of the collection. The “Positioned for Excellence” booklet, limited to only 10 copies, and the “Picked for Excellence” Autographed booklet, limited to just 5 copies, are exceptionally rare and highly sought-after. Each booklet also has a Red Refractor parallel (limited to 5) and the ultimate prized possession, a SuperFractor (1/1), making them some of the most coveted items in the entire collection.
Finally, the inclusion of Under Armour Game Autographed cards provides a wide range of autographs from some of the most promising young talents in baseball. The varying serial numbers on these cards make them even more special and sought-after.
In conclusion, the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball collection is set to be a comprehensive and exciting assortment of cards, featuring a blend of MLB prospects, established stars, and the unique addition of Tom Brady. With its diverse range of cards, parallels, and autographs, this collection promises to be a highly anticipated release for baseball card enthusiasts and fans of the sport.
