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Understanding 2025 Bowman Baseball Cards

May 9, 2025

Lecture Notes: Secrets of 2025 Bowman Baseball Cards

Overview of Bowman Baseball Cards

  • Bowman is highly collectible due to the "first Bowman card," marked with a first insignia.
  • Chrome cards are more collectible than paper.
  • Checklist includes 150 paper prospects, 150 chrome prospects, 100 stars, and rookies.
  • Main chase is the Bowman first autograph.

New Features and Inserts

  • Retrofaractors: Hall of Fame players' official first Bowman cards (e.g., Steve Carlton, Brooks Robinson).
  • Anime Cards: Rare inserts inspired by 1955 Bowman design.
    • Kanji Variation: Super rare and collectible.
  • Crystallized and Etched in Glass: New inserts with rare collectible designs.
  • Red Rookie Redemption Program: Offers Fanatic's fan cash rewards based on players' career achievements.

Box Formats

  • Hobby Boxes: 1 autograph.
  • Jumbo Boxes: 3 autographs.
  • Blaster Boxes: No guaranteed autograph.
  • Breakers Delight Boxes: 3 autographs, available on major distributor websites.

Top Prospects to Chase

  • Prospects: Charlie Condon, JJ Weatherhole, Jesus Mate, PJ Mando, Eduardo Cano, Slade Caldwell, Kevin McGonagal.
  • Rookies: Kobe Mayo, Jackson Job, Jace Young, Kevin Alcantara, Hesong, Kim Sasaki, Jacob Wilson, Dylan Cruz, James Wood, Luis Anelkuna.

Resources and Tips

  • Resources:
    • Becket.com: Checklist.
    • Prospectlist.com: Stats and sorting for prospects.
    • Tops Ripped: Collecting guides.
    • Baseball America: Top prospect information.
    • ChasingMajors.com: Production numbers for inserts.
  • Tips:
    • For rookies, use "Ctrl+FRC" on Becket.com to find them quickly.
    • Use Cubby’s prospect list for stats and sorting.

Value and Investment

  • Value Sheet:
    • Price per format (e.g., Hobby, Jumbo, Blaster).
    • Blaster boxes offer good value for parallels and prospects.
    • Jumbo boxes are best for autographs.
  • Investment Strategy:
    • Consider rarity and insertion odds when purchasing.
    • Retail (Blaster) often offers good value; don’t overlook it.

Additional Information

  • Production Numbers:
    • Etched in Glass: 160 per player.
    • Anime Checklist: 200 per player; Kanji: 6 per player.
    • Crystallized: 350 per player.
  • Odds and Availability:
    • Some inserts and parallels are exclusive to specific box formats.
    • Use odds page from TOPS for detailed information.

Community and Further Involvement

  • Join Patreon for deeper involvement and access to value sheets.
  • Support creators through likes, subscriptions, and joining community groups.

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