The 2023 Bowman baseball card set was among the many most highly-anticipated of the previous few years.
Contained in the 100-card base set, you will discover a trove of big-name veterans and up-and-coming rookie stars.
A few of these rookies are already real superstars…
As anticipated, collectors also can discover the standard vary of parallels, inserts and autographed materials to intensify the expertise.
The feel and appear of the set is crisp, that includes a contemporary but not over-the-top design.
Given this set’s crop of big-name rookies, it ought to maintain up nicely over time.
And on this information, we’ll check out the 15 most useful.
Let’s bounce proper in!
2023 Bowman #15 Shohei Ohtani
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $25
Shohei Ohtani by no means had an opportunity to shine in October with the Los Angeles Angels.
However he did get a style of high-stakes, winner-take-all baseball earlier than the beginning of the 2023 MLB season.
Ohtani captained Japan to its third World Baseball Traditional title, successful MVP honors with a .435/.606/.739 slash line whereas pitching to a 1.86 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 9.1 innings.
Earlier than the crew’s 3-2 win over Mike Trout and the closely favored USA squad, the 28-year-old sensation rallied his facet with a brief but impassioned speech.
“We got here right here to surpass them, to achieve the highest,” Ohtani mentioned. “Let’s throw away our admiration for them and simply take into consideration successful.”
Japan did simply that, and Ohtani piggybacked on his WBC success to yet one more Most Helpful Participant award.
Named the unanimous AL MVP for the second time in three years, Ohtani led the Majors in slugging proportion (.654), OPS (1.066), and OPS+ (185) whereas pacing the Junior Circuit in house runs (44), OBP (.412), and whole bases (325).
He was simply as impactful on the mound in his Anaheim farewell earlier than an injured elbow ligament pressured him right into a hitting-only position.
2023 Bowman #65 Gunnar Henderson Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $25
Two unhealthy months could not deter Gunnar Henderson on his path to the 2023 AL Rookie-of-the-Yr award.
The 22-year-old Baltimore Orioles shortstop/third baseman hit underneath .200 for a lot of the season’s first two months, a droop that compounded itself because the weeks went on.
It was “one of many hardest issues” Henderson has been by means of, however it proved a blessing in disguise.
“I felt like simply the inner drive I had from a really younger age after which form of vocalizing that I needed to be a significant league baseball participant from the time I might begin enjoying and all the time remembering that,” Henderson mentioned.
As soon as Henderson began having enjoyable once more, the crew adopted go well with.
The Orioles gained practically two-thirds of their video games over the ultimate three months of the marketing campaign (53-28) as their younger phenom rounded into Silver Slugger type.
The previous second-round decide ended his ROTY marketing campaign with a .255/.325/.489 slash line, 28 house runs, 29 doubles, 9 triples, 10 stolen bases, 100 runs scored, and 82 RBIs in 150 video games.
Baltimore completed no higher than fourth within the AL East from 2017 by means of 2022.
With Henderson anchoring a devoted youth motion, the O’s topped 100 wins (101) and gained their first division title since 2014.
2023 Bowman #20 Mookie Betts
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $20
If not for a tough September, Mookie Betts might have outrun eventual NL MVP winner Ronald Acuna Jr. for the postseason award.
The 30-year-old proper fielder/center infielder regarded each half the favourite after one of many best Augusts of the fashionable period.
Betts slashed a daffy .455/.516/.839 on his approach to Participant of the Month honors with 11 house runs, 30 RBIs, and a Los Angeles-era file 35 runs scored.
As Betts stored slugging, the Dodgers stored successful.
Los Angeles completed 24-5 on the month to tie the 2002 Athletics for probably the most wins in August over the previous 70 years.
Betts crashed in September, although, and Acuna’s 70/40 blitzkrieg relegated him to his third runner-up MVP end.
Nonetheless, his numbers had been immaculate: a .307/.408/.579 slash with 39 house runs, 40 doubles, a triple, 14 stolen bases, 126 runs scored, and 107 RBIs in 152 video games.
With their big-money star at his finest, the Dodgers crossed the 100-win mark for the fourth consecutive season.
“That is actually the primary 12 months (with the Dodgers) the place I’ve performed respectable,” Betts mentioned. “I stored telling me, ‘You signed this contract and also you’re simply gonna mix in?'”
2023 Bowman #40 Adley Rutschman Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $20
Oftentimes, it takes a veteran catcher to convey a younger, gifted crew to the subsequent degree.
Within the case of the 2023 Baltimore Orioles, it took a second-year backstop with the boldness and manufacturing of somebody nicely past his years.
Don’t purchase the notion that Adley Rutschman’s 2023 season was a step again from his Rookie-of-the-Yr runner-up in ‘22.
Whereas the previous number-one decide slumped within the early summer time and had some hiccups behind the plate, he was nonetheless a no-doubt Silver Slugger, a top-ten MVP candidate, and the glue man that held the inexperienced Orioles’ division title hopes in place.
A primary-time All-Star, Rutschman slashed .277/.374/.435 with 20 house runs, 31 doubles, a triple, 84 runs scored, 92 walks, and 80 RBIs.
He did spend 46 video games within the designated hitter position, however that was extra as a result of load administration than any faults of his personal.
The Orioles fell aside in a three-game ALDS sweep by the hands of the Rangers, and Rutschman’s 1-for-12 with a stroll and two strikeouts certain didn’t assist.
But, one awful collection doesn’t undo all the nice of Baltimore’s feel-good ‘23 marketing campaign.
2023 Bowman #59 Aaron Choose
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $20
The 2023 New York Yankees had been one crew when Aaron Choose was within the lineup and a very completely different beast when he wasn’t.
The 2022 AL MVP was sidelined for 56 video games with toe and hip accidents, ruining his alternative at a possible repeat.
He nonetheless completed fifteenth within the award race due to his second straight season with an OPS above 1.000 (1.019), 37 house runs, and 75 RBIs.
New York was 57-49 with their generational proper fielder within the lineup, a tempo that will have put them within the thick of the AL playoff chase.
With out Choose on the cardboard, the Yankees had been simply 25-31 and scored a paltry 3.73 runs per sport, practically 2/3 of a run lower than when he suited up.
“We’re not exhibiting up,” Choose mentioned “That is what it comes all the way down to. We’re not exhibiting up when we have to.”
Briefly, the 2023 Yankees desperately wanted Choose to keep up lineup stability, defend an in any other case shallow lineup, and customarily tear the duvet off the ball.
When he wasn’t there, they weren’t both.
2023 Bowman #73 Corbin Carroll Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $20
The Arizona Diamondbacks had been the darlings of the 2023 baseball season, surprising everybody however themselves with their first World Collection berth since 2001.
Arizona’s five-game Fall Traditional loss to the Texas Rangers might sting for years.
Nonetheless, there have been so many recollections and accomplishments to melt the blow, together with Corbin Carroll’s breakneck run to a unanimous 2023 NL Rookie of the Yr victory.
The primary Asian-American and first Diamondback to take house ROTY honors, Carroll grew to become the one rookie to submit 25 house runs and 50 steals (54).
The 23-year-old heart fielder slashed .285/.362/.506 with 30 doubles, an MLB-best ten triples, 116 runs scored, and 76 RBIs in 155 video games.
His first-year explosion drew parallels to the good Ichiro Suzuki, and for good purpose: Carroll grew up idolizing and emulation Suzuki in his hometown of Seattle.
“I feel rising up, watching a participant like that,” Carroll mentioned, “who shouldn’t be the most important man on the market and nonetheless in a position to affect the sport in so some ways, along with his velocity, his arm, his protection, his capacity to place the bat on the ball, that impressed me to wish to play the same model of baseball.”
2023 Bowman #89 Mike Trout
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $20
With all of the accidents that Mike Trout has fought by means of prior to now few years, it was certain to catch up.
The Los Angeles Angels heart fielder missed a lot of the 2021 season and practically two months of the 2022 marketing campaign with varied cracks, bruises, and illnesses.
And the troubling development continued in 2023, with Trout lacking half the season with a fractured hamate bone in his left wrist.
There’s unhealthy luck after which there’s no matter Trout goes by means of.
And for the primary time, his statistical output took the brunt in 2023.
The 32-year-old Corridor-of-Famer-to-be was on tempo for his worst full-season ever earlier than he went down in July, together with lows in batting common (.263), slugging proportion (.490), and OBP (.367).
He hit .197 towards pitches 95 mph or quicker, 43 factors worse than the league common whereas posting a 76% contact price after topping 80% each season by means of 2020.
Trout wasn’t prepared responsible accidents for his decreased manufacturing, although.
He attributed the fall-off to “sliding” — a mechanical error that drops the hips throughout a swing, decreasing the purpose of contact.
“I do know what I’m doing incorrect,” Trout mentioned. “I created a foul behavior within the final 12 months or two that I’m attempting to get out of.”
2023 Bowman #24 Bryce Harper
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $15
Bryce Harper began his profession with an NL East rival, however he is a Philadelphia man, by means of and thru.
“I’ve by no means seen an athlete in any sport who resonates extra with the Philadelphia fan base greater than Bryce,” Phillies proprietor John Middleton mentioned. “I am speaking about any athlete in Philadelphia historical past.”
Harper’s 2022 heroics carried the Phillies to inside two wins of a World Collection triumph.
In ’23, Harper sought retribution for himself and his adoring Philadelphia followers.
The 30-year-old face of the franchise slashed .293/.401/.499 with 21 house runs, 29 doubles, a triple, 11 stolen bases, 84 runs scored, and 72 RBIs to earn down-ballot MVP consideration and a 3rd Silver Slugger award.
Philadelphia grabbed a Wild Card spot for a second consecutive 12 months, giving Harper the possibility to make championship amends.
It did not go as deliberate.
The Phils rolled by means of the Marlins and Braves earlier than they had been taken down in a jaw-dropping seven-game NLCS upset by the hands of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Harper singled himself out for the Sport 7 defeat, citing a possible go-ahead three-run homer that went simply foul.
Phillies followers beloved Harper much more for shouldering the blame.
2023 Bowman #43 Josh Jung Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $15
Throughout his rookie 2023 season, Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung emerged as a standout participant who would show crucial to their World Collection championship run.
Jung bought off to a blistering begin, incomes AL Rookie of the Month honors in each April and Could.
Much more spectacular, not solely did Jung earn All-Star honors, he grew to become the AL’s beginning third baseman for the Midsummer Traditional.
No different Texas Ranger rookie in franchise historical past had been named an All-Star starter earlier than him.
In 122 video games, the Texas native showcased his offensive prowess, posting a .266/.315/.467 slash line whereas belting 23 house runs with 70 RBIs and 75 runs scored.
Defensively, Jung was a dependable presence on the sizzling nook, exhibiting spectacular vary and a powerful arm, which earned him recognition as one of many high up-and-coming defensive third basemen within the league.
Sadly, Jung’s sophomore marketing campaign was derailed by a fractured wrist that restricted him to only 46 video games in the course of the 2024 MLB season.
However, if his rookie season was any indication, Jung seems to be primed for long-term success.
2023 Bowman #76 Michael Harris II Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $15
Don’t let Michael Harris II’s early-season droop cloud issues.
By the tip of the 2023 season, the Atlanta Braves heart fielder was again on par with the perfect 22-and-younger performers of the final 25 years.
Harris crashed into the outfield wall at St. Louis’ Busch Stadium in April, briefly sending him onto the IL with a again harm.
When he returned, it took till early June for his timing to do the identical. Harris concluded June sixth with a .163 batting common and .490 OPS.
He shortly reversed course from there, blazing to and thru the end line as Atlanta snagged its sixth division title in a row.
Harris ended the marketing campaign slashing .293/.331/.477 with 18 homers, 33 doubles, three triples, 20 stolen bases, 76 runs scored, and 57 RBIs in 138 video games.
“It’s loopy to assume what this child is able to,” Atlanta supervisor Brian Snitker mentioned. “That ball coming off his bat is one thing else. He’s nonetheless maturing and growing. However what he’s able to is off the charts.”
Since 2000, solely 14 different gamers aged 22 and youthful have posted an OPS+ of 120 or higher by means of the identical variety of plate appearances.
The listing of Harris’ contemporaries consists of MVP teammate Ronald Acuna Jr., Mike Trout, and Albert Pujols.
2023 Bowman #82 Freddie Freeman
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $15
Their season might have ended with a surprising sweep within the NLDS, however the 2023 Los Angeles Dodgers nonetheless had a humiliation of riches.
Three Dodgers had been named as finalists for BBWAA awards on the finish of the 2023 marketing campaign: James Outman for the NL Rookie of the Yr award and Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman for the league MVP honor.
All three fell quick, however that does not take away from simply how vital their contributions had been to the Dodgers’ tenth NL West title in eleven years.
In Freddie Freeman’s case, a historic barrage of extra-base hits pushed him into an award place.
The 33-year-old first baseman led the Majors with a team-record 59 doubles and set one other Dodgers all-time mark with 90 extra-base hits.
He joined Alfonso Soriano (2002) and Chuck Klein (1932) as the one gamers in MLB historical past to file at the least 200 hits (211), 25 house runs (29), 20 stolen bases (23), and 50 doubles in a single season.
Freeman ended up a distant third for MVP, however it was extra a testomony to the skills of Ronald Acuna Jr. and Mookie Betts than anything.
2023 Bowman #96 Julio Rodriguez
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $15
You’d assume a fourth-place MVP end can be sufficient to satiate Seattle Mariners heart fielder Julio Rodriguez.
You’d be incorrect.
“There have been lots of moments that I really feel like I ought to have accomplished higher, like I might have accomplished higher,” Rodríguez mentioned of his second season. “I do know my capacity.”
It’s a good evaluation, contemplating Rodriguez’s limitless potential.
The 22-year-old wunderkind was mired in a textbook sophomore droop within the season’s first half (and alter), posting a .251/.315/.423 slash line on the finish of July.
August made issues look a complete lot higher.
J-Rod hit safely in 20 of 23 video games, slashing a jaw-dropping .429/.474/.724 because the Mariners surged again into the postseason image.
By the tip of the month, the two-time All-Star had improved his total batting common by 35 factors and his OPS by 90.
Seattle swooned to an 11-17 mark within the season’s remaining month, falling one sport in need of the AL’s remaining Wild Card spot.
Rodriguez noticed his OPS drop by over 400 factors from August to September (.792), a vexing finish to one of the vital irritating Silver Slugger campaigns in current reminiscence.
2023 Bowman #13 James Outman Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $10
2023 Bowman #49 Francisco Alvarez Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $10
2023 Bowman #75 Kodai Senga Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $10
2023 Bowman Baseball Playing cards In Evaluation
As I discussed within the opener, assuming a few of these big-name rookies have the long-term success that all of us anticipate, this set ought to maintain consideration for years to come back.
There aren’t any ensures with any big-name rookie, however to date issues are trying good.
The 150-card prospects set additionally featured some big-name children, specifically Druw Jones, who additionally look to have thrilling careers forward of them.
Past the bottom veterans and rookie playing cards, collectors also can chase many various parallels, together with newcomers “Purple Patter” (#/199), “Pink Border” (#/175), and the “Black Border” (#/15).
Autographed playing cards and a number of other completely different inserts are different components of this set that preserve issues attention-grabbing.
Aesthetically, the design of this set does a fantastic job of balancing a contemporary feel and look with out being too aggressive.
Total, the 2023 Bowman baseball card set delivers a stable gathering expertise with loads of alternatives to land some big-name children on the onset of their careers.
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