The 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball collection is set to be released in mid-December, and it promises to be a must-have for enthusiasts of MLB draft picks and rising stars. This year’s release is even more exciting with the addition of Tom Brady, the legendary NFL figure, who is featured as an insert and autograph card. Brady, who was a draft choice of the Montreal Expos in 1995, is celebrated in the collection as a “Dream Draft Pick,” although no preview images are available at the moment.
The collection follows the success of the 2023 Bowman Baseball and Bowman Chrome releases. It includes notable prospects such as Wyatt Langford, Paul Skenes, and Ethan Salas. The collection offers Hobby Jumbo and Super Jumbo boxes, each containing a variety of cards, autographs, and parallels.
The base set consists of 200 cards that highlight top draft picks and MLB prospects. There are special “1st Bowman” notations and image variations for 10 players. Additionally, the base set features Hall of Famers Josh Gibson and Carl Yastrzemski as short-printed RetroFractor cards, with Yastrzemski also having an autographed version.
One of the highlights of the collection is the array of parallels available in both paper and chrome formats. It includes new Aqua/Pink and Red/Green Gradient Borders, as well as Orange Borders exclusive to hobby boxes. The chrome cards introduce several new refractors, such as Lunar Glow and Fuchsia Lunar, among others.
The collection also features inserts that pay homage to the 1954 Bowman baseball design. The Bowman 1954 Flag Variation inserts showcase young players against their home flags, adding a touch of nostalgia to the collection. The Bowman Draft Glass and Chrome Prospector’s Special Die-Cut inserts are also featured, along with the debut of the Transformative Talents and Draft Picks & Prospects inserts.
Tom Brady’s Dream Draft Picks card is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing additions to the collection. It raises the question “What if?” and offers various limited Refractor parallels. The set also includes a diverse range of autographs, such as Chrome Prospect Autographs, Mood Ring Red Autographs, and Bowman ’54 Flag Variation Red Refractor autographs.
Dual signatures are showcased in Franchise Futures Dual Autographs, and the Class of 2023 Autographs spotlight this year’s notable MLB draft choices. The collection is completed with special autographed booklets and Under Armour Game Autographed cards, adding to its appeal for baseball card enthusiasts.
Collectors will also have the opportunity to find unique and rare autographs in the Class of 2023 Autographs section. It highlights the most prominent MLB draft picks of the year and features Green Refractor parallels, which are new this year. Additionally, there are Gold, Red, and SuperFractor parallels, offering collectors a variety of options.
Tom Brady’s inclusion as a “Dream Draft Pick” in the set is particularly noteworthy. His Gold Refractor parallels are limited to just 50 cards, adding to their exclusivity. Other Refractor parallels of Brady’s card include Orange, Red, and the extremely rare SuperFractor, making them highly sought-after collectibles for fans of both football and baseball.
Another highlight of the set is the Base Set Gold Retrofractor Autographs. Limited to only 50 cards, they follow the same parallel configuration as the Brady autographs, providing an additional layer of rarity and value.
The collection also features Draft Glass Autographs, which are numbered to 99 and offer Lava, Gold Mini-Diamond, hobby-exclusive Orange, Red, and SuperFractor parallels. These autographs provide collectors with even more exclusive options.
For those seeking even more unique items, the set includes Image Variation Autograph parallel cards, numbered to 99. These cards offer a different visual take on some of the players included in the set, adding an element of surprise and diversity to the collection.
The autographed booklets in this year’s set are particularly special. The “Positioned for Excellence” booklet is limited to just 10 copies, while the “Picked for Excellence” Autographed booklet is even rarer, with only 5 copies available. Each of these booklets also has a Red Refractor parallel (limited to 5) and a SuperFractor (1/1), making them highly coveted items.
Lastly, the set includes Under Armour Game Autographed cards, which feature varied serial numbers and offer a wide range of autographs from some of the most promising young talents in baseball.
The 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball set is a comprehensive and exciting collection that brings together a mix of new prospects, established stars, and the unique inclusion of a football legend. Its variety of cards, parallels, and autographs make it a highly anticipated release for collectors and fans of the sport.