December marked the highly anticipated release of Bowman Draft 2025, a moment that collectors eagerly awaited. This product has been a staple for baseball card enthusiasts, offering the inaugural Bowman cards for players drafted in the previous year. While the set usually highlights most first-round picks, a few notable names are often reserved for the Bowman Baseball release early the following year to keep collectors on their toes.
This year followed the same pattern, with players like Charlie Condon and JJ Wetherholt, the third and eighth overall picks, respectively, saved for Bowman Baseball 2025. Despite their absence, collectors were treated to a host of exciting prospects in this year’s set.
One of the highlights of Bowman Draft 2025 was the introduction of the first Bowman cards for Travis Bazzana and Jac Caglianone. Bazzana, the first overall pick, and Caglianone, the sixth overall pick, known as the “next Shohei Ohtani,” added an extra layer of excitement to this year’s release. For Caglianone, his inclusion was particularly noteworthy due to his collegiate achievements at the University of Florida. Making history as the first college baseball player to sign an exclusive deal with Fanatics and Topps, collectors can now own cards displaying his time at Florida through various sources.
Unlike sports like basketball or football, where players often make an immediate impact upon entering the professional leagues, baseball prospects typically spend years refining their skills in the minors. Investing in First Bowman cards requires patience and foresight as these cards can appreciate significantly in value when a player fulfills their potential in the majors.
Topps’ entry into college-themed cards aligns with the changing landscape of collegiate sports due to NIL agreements. After the introduction of NIL rules, Topps ventured into college football and basketball products. In 2021, they released their first college-focused Bowman product in decades, and this year, college baseball cards made their debut in the Bowman Draft lineup.
The inclusion of a subset of Chrome College Variations in Bowman Draft 2025 added a unique twist to the set. While not a fully dedicated college-specific collection, these cards marked Topps’ closest embrace of college baseball within the Bowman brand. The response to these cards has been exceptional, with Jac Caglianone’s college card from this set selling for a remarkable $6,500, setting a record as the highest-priced Florida Gators card ever sold.
Featuring ten standout players like Travis Bazzana, Hagen Smith, and Christian Moore among others, these cards are highly sought after. With base versions appearing at odds of 1:713 in hobby packs and 1:185 in super jumbo packs, collectors can also chase limited parallels like gold refractors, orange refractors, red refractors, and the coveted 1/1 Superfractor.
The rarity and unique appeal of these cards have turned them into a must-have for collectors, catering to both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers attracted to the infusion of college imagery in Bowman Draft. The addition of college cards has injected fresh excitement into the hobby, blending prospecting with the nostalgia of college athletics.
As Bowman Draft continues to evolve, the introduction of Chrome College Variations reaffirms Topps’ dedication to innovation in the hobby. This year’s release celebrates baseball’s past, present, and future, offering collectors a glimpse into the journey of the game’s emerging stars and their formative years. The dynamic blend of tradition and innovation makes Bowman Draft 2025 more than just a card set; it’s a celebration of baseball’s timeless allure.
