The 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball collection is the ultimate must-have for enthusiasts of MLB draft picks and rising stars. This year’s release has an exciting addition that will surely turn heads: Tom Brady, the legendary figure of the NFL, is featured as an insert and autograph card. Brady, a draft choice of the Montreal Expos in 1995, is celebrated in the collection as a “Dream Draft Pick,” though no preview images are currently available.
Set to release in mid-December, the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball collection follows the highly popular 2023 Bowman Baseball and Bowman Chrome releases. This collection includes notable prospects like Wyatt Langford, Paul Skenes, and Ethan Salas, among others. It offers both Hobby Jumbo and Super Jumbo boxes, each filled with a variety of cards, autographs, and parallels that will leave collectors eager to get their hands on them.
The base set of 200 cards highlights the top MLB draft picks and prospects, with special “1st Bowman” notations and image variations for 10 players. In addition, the collection features two Hall of Famers as short-printed RetroFractor cards: the legendary Josh Gibson and Carl Yastrzemski, with Yastrzemski also having an autographed version available.
In terms of parallels, the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball collection boasts an impressive array of choices in both paper and chrome formats. Brand new additions include Aqua/Pink and Red/Green Gradient Borders, as well as hobby box exclusive Orange Borders. The chrome cards introduce several new refractors, such as Lunar Glow and Fuchsia Lunar, among others, adding a unique touch to this year’s release.
The collection’s inserts pay homage to the classic 1954 Bowman baseball design. The Bowman 1954 Flag Variation showcases young players against the backdrop of their respective home flags, while the Bowman Draft Glass and Chrome Prospector’s Special Die-Cut inserts provide a modern twist on vintage aesthetics. Additionally, the Transformative Talents and Draft Picks & Prospects inserts make their debut this year, offering collectors even more variety and excitement.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball collection is the inclusion of Tom Brady’s “Dream Draft Picks” card. This raises the captivating “What if?” question and offers various limited Refractor parallels for avid collectors to chase after. Additionally, the set features a wide range of autographs, including the Chrome Prospect Autographs, Mood Ring Red Autographs, and Bowman ’54 Flag Variation Red Refractor autographs, among others.
Dual signatures take center stage in the Franchise Futures Dual Autographs subset, while the Class of 2023 Autographs highlight this year’s most prominent MLB draft choices. The autographed booklets and Under Armour Game Autographed cards are the icing on the cake, making this collection a comprehensive and thrilling assortment for baseball card enthusiasts.
The Class of 2023 Autographs section provides collectors with a unique opportunity to find rare and exclusive autographs. With Green Refractor parallels, a new addition this year, collectors can choose from an array of options, including Gold, Red, and the highly sought-after SuperFractor parallels.
Tom Brady’s inclusion in the collection as a “Dream Draft Pick” is a particularly noteworthy addition. The Gold Refractor parallels of Brady’s card are incredibly rare, limited to just 50 copies. Other Refractor parallels, such as Orange, Red, and the ultra-rare SuperFractor, offer football and baseball fans alike a chance to own a truly collectible piece.
The base set also features Base Set Gold Retrofractor Autographs, which are equally limited to just 50 cards. Following the same parallel configuration as the Brady autographs, these cards add an extra layer of rarity and value to the collection.
For collectors seeking even more uniqueness, the set includes Image Variation Autograph parallel cards, numbered to 99. These cards offer a visually different perspective on some of the players featured in the set, adding an element of surprise and diversity.
The autographed booklets in the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball collection are exceptionally special. The “Positioned for Excellence” booklet, limited to just 10 copies, and the “Picked for Excellence” Autographed booklet, limited to only 5 copies, are incredibly rare and highly coveted. Each booklet also has Red Refractor parallel cards, limited to 5 copies, as well as the elusive SuperFractor (1/1), making them some of the most sought-after items in the entire collection.
Lastly, the inclusion of Under Armour Game Autographed cards further enhances the uniqueness of this year’s set. With varying serial numbers and a wide range of autographs from promising young talents in baseball, these cards provide collectors with a plethora of options.
In conclusion, the 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball collection is a comprehensive and exciting assortment that brings together a mix of new prospects, established stars, and the unexpected inclusion of a football legend, Tom Brady. With its vast selection of cards, parallels, and autographs, this highly anticipated release is sure to captivate collectors and fans alike.