Prospecting is never ending. There will always be a group of people looking to pour thousands of dollars into players that have yet to make their major league debut. Its very entertaining to watch. I wish people didn’t use modern day cards as investments. Cards made today are meant to be for fun. I’ve seen people get way too stressed over how their “investment” hasn’t panned out. In my personal opinion, if you pull a rare card of a minor league prospect who has convinced the world they’re the next Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, or Babe Ruth, move it as soon as possible. Take that money and put it in the stock market. I believe in the long run you’ll be much happier.
There are three key prospecting prospects released each year – Bowman, Bowman Chrome, and Bowman Draft. Whenever any of them come out the prospecting community gets a big surge of excitement. 2019 Bowman saw this right away. Collectors and prospectors quickly began picking up the latest cards of Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Wander Franco, Joey Bart, and Ronny Mauricio. As of this writing, a Wander Franco Chrome Orange Refractor Auto sold for $9,000 according to eBay. Someone is obviously looking to take a massive risk. That’s assuming the transaction went through. Its nothing compared to his Superfractor Auto #’ed 1/1. Not only has that card been pulled, but its been sold privately for $60,000 to $100,000.
A hobby box will yield (24) packs, with (10) cards per pack. (1) autograph per box. The main base set consists of (101) cards. Why (101) cards you may ask? That’s because there are two card number 3’s. Joey Wendle is featured on card #3 the most. But if you get lucky that card #3 you pulled also has a chance to be of Bryce Harper. This is the first pack-inserted card to feature Bryce Harper in a Phillies uniform. Its a Short Print, and has parallels just like the rest of the set. In addition to the 101-card main base set, there is also a 150-card Base Paper Prospect, and 150-card Base Chrome Prospect set.
Low numbered parallels and/or autographs is the heart and soul of this brand. I have a feeling it always will be. 30 years ago Topps revived the Bowman brand. I distinctly remember those green wax packs labeled “The Comeback Edition”. My favorite part of 2019 Bowman is the tribute made to that set from 1989. Old-school Topps designs on chrome stock is a nice look. These 30th Anniversary cards have various autographs and parallels. Redemption cards for original Buyback Autographs from ’89 Bowman have been thrown in too. Those Griffey, Jr. rookies I’m sure will look cool.
I will reiterate what I said earlier. Please open prospect focused sets such as this for the FUN. Buy singles for the FUN. Please don’t do it for the money. Too many people buy into the hype, and do what they see and hear others doing. On The Rich Eisen Show recently a wealthy entrepreneur named Gary Vaynerchuk talked about sports cards making a comeback. I think its awesome to see sports cards mentioned on a platform like that. But when a rich guy talks to the public as if there’s going to be a big sports card boom, people may interpret that incorrectly. All of a sudden if Gary Vaynerchuk says he’s buying rookie cards of a certain player, other people start to do the same. You can’t think like that. Following that model is a dead end. Its like taking stock advice from CNBC. By the time it reaches T.V., its way too late to get in on it. FYI – Gary Vaynerchuk has been attempting to recruit bloggers to pump-up players and cards he’s purchased. Lots of people answered the call, but not me.
Another prospecting season is upon us. Time to check Baseball America on a weekly basis to see if you’ve got any cards of the players on their Hot List. Good luck, but remember to think and have fun first. Collect what you like and can afford.
Here is what I pulled:
Auto
- Genesis Cabrera Bowman Chrome Refractor Auto #’ed/499
Parallels
- Beau Burrows Bowman Chrome Orange Refractor #’ed/25
- Noelvi Marte Bowman Chrome Atomic Refractor
- Nolan Gorman Bowman Sky Blue #’ed/499
Inserts
- Mike Trout Bowman Sterling Continuity
- Colton Welker/Roberto Ramos/Brendan Rodgers Talent Pipeline
- Bryan Mata/Bobby Dalbec/Josh Ockimey Talent Pipeline
- Casey Mize 30th Anniversary
- Jacob deGrom 30th Anniversary
- Jose Altuve 30th Anniversary
- Kyle Wright Rookie Of The Year Favorites
- Danny Jansen Rookie Of The Year Favorites
- Chris Shaw Rookie Of The Year Favorites
- Yordan Alvarez Ready For The Show
- Brendan Rodgers Ready For The Show
- Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. Ready For The Show
- Brendan McKay Ready For The Show
- Sean Murphy Bowman Scouts’ Top 100
- Leody Taveras Bowman Scouts’ Top 100
- Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. Bowman Scouts’ Top 100
- Brandon Marsh Bowman Scouts’ Top 100
- Jason Groome Bowman Scouts’ Top 100
- Jackson Kowar Bowman Scouts’ Top 100
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