2024 Bowman Draft Checklist: MLB Prospect Cards We’re Hunting

Top Names In The Set

I’m going to keep this simple: 29 out of 39 players selected in the first round and sandwich round before round 2 are included on this checklist. All 29 have base, chrome, and autograph variations of their Bowman First card. Here are the 12 highest picks in the set:

• Travis Bazzana (Guardians, Pick 1)
• Chase Burns (Reds, Pick 2)
• Nick Kurtz (Athletics, Pick 4)
• Hagen Smith (White Sox, Pick 5)
• Jac Caglianone (Royals, Pick 6)
• Christian Moore (Angels, Pick 8)
• Konnor Griffin (Pirates, Pick 9)
• Seaver King (Nationals, Pick 10)
• Bryce Rainer (Tigers, Pick 11)
• Braden Montgomery (Red Sox, Pick 12)
• James Tibbs III (Giants, Pick 13)
• Cam Smith (Cubs, Pick 14)

Risk-Reward Analysis

While it’s easy to scan the names above and assume they are the high-priority players, every team has a different draft philosophy and level of tolerance for risk associated with their draft. Also, many drafts feature money-saving underslot deals early on to fund overslot deals in later rounds. These are just a few of the dynamics that make prospecting Bowman Draft not-so-straightforward. Much like the 30 clubs, collectors also have varying levels of risk tolerance when it comes to prospecting, so, I’m going to throw out a handful of safer names to collect and a handful for the thrill-seekers hoping to shoot the moon.

Stay Safe

Travis Bazzana went 1-1 for a reason: He’s a special hitter, he’s going to defend up the middle, there’s power and there’s speed. He proved it at Oregon State and in the Cape Cod League. If I’m betting on anyone in this class to be a perennial all-star, it’s him. Collectability verdict: High floor, high ceiling.

Nick Kurtz does two things really well: get on base and hit for power. He’s a first baseman, and the ceiling for first basemen in the collecting world is relatively low. However, as an accomplished and polished college hitter, he’ll move fast through the minor leagues and be a middle-of-the-order mainstay once he makes it to the majors. I think he’s one of the best hitters in this draft and will be a household name for the Athletics’ fanbase soon. Collectability verdict: High floor, moderate ceiling.

James Tibbs III was one of the more accomplished college hitters in this draft after he raked all spring at Florida State. That being said, he’s a corner outfielder with a fringy run grade, so don’t expect highlight defensive plays, and he’s really going to have to hit a ton. If Tibbs was a career .260 hitter with 20-25 home runs per season, it wouldn’t shock me. But, that also doesn’t scream “collect me.” Collectability Verdict: Moderate floor, low ceiling.

Somewhere In Between

Christian Moore is the latest first round college bat to soar through the Angels system, and he could crack the opening day lineup in 2025. Unlike Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel before him, the physical tools with Moore are much better. He swings at the right pitches, but he does have a fair amount of in-zone whiff. The power is real. The speed is real. He doesn’t get cheated at the plate, and he plays with a chip on his shoulder. He’s an exciting player who has a chance to be a statsheet stuffer for many years to come. Collectability Verdict: Moderate floor, high ceiling.

Braden Montgomery went 12th overall with a broken ankle. While he’s a corner outfielder through and through, he’s got a sweet lefthanded stroke and plus power. He’s the prototypical right fielder with a big arm to showcase on balls in the gap or down the line. The Red Sox have done a nice job of developing more impact via bat speed training in player development, and that could turn this 20-25 homer bat into a 30+ threat in his best years. Collectability Verdict: Moderate floor, high ceiling.

High Risk, High Reward

There are a lot of names I could call out here, but I’m going to start with Brody Brecht (Rockies), who had top-five buzz before last spring and fell all the way to pick 38 in this draft. Yes, I know he’s a pitcher, but he’s 6-foot-4, 235 pounds and has a prototypical starter’s build. He’s at least a plus athlete—he was Power 5 conference wide receiver in college—and he throws really hard—100 to 102 mph—and does it easy. His low-90s slider is also wicked. We saw Chase Dollander fall to the Rockies in the 2023 draft, and his star is shining brighter than ever after a stellar 2024 season. Strikes have always been the concern with Brecht, but he’s a low-mileage arm with high-value ingredients you can’t teach. Should it come together, he could be the best arm in this draft. Collectability Verdict: Low floor, high ceiling.

I’m going to pair JD Dix (Diamondbacks) and Tyson Lewis (Reds) together as two high-ceiling prep shortstops that lacked the sample size against higher level prep competition to warrant higher selection. Yes, there is plenty of unknown with both players, but both have the freakish physical toolsets to be five-tool shortstops if everything clicks. Collectability Verdict: Low floor, high ceiling.

Finally, here’s another pair of similar profiles drafted by the Phillies: Griffin Burkholder and Dante Nori. Both are outfield prospects who have the rare power/speed combination to sell a lot of shirts in Philadelphia someday. Nori’s age and an injury during Burkholder’s senior spring probably contributed to both players falling in the draft. Philly fans can dream on 20-20 potential with both of these guys if it all clicks. Collectability Verdict: Unknown floor, high ceiling.

What We’re Hunting

When it comes to collecting Bowman Draft, you know it’s going to be pricey. In past years, I’ve done well swimming upstream when others float down. I got in early on Walker Buehler after he was drafted while recovering from Tommy John and was notably high on the likes of Corbin Carroll and Jordan Walker before their prospect status blew up. So, who am I hunting in this checklist?

Cole Messina (Rockies) is an unassuming plus athlete. While he has a burly, catcher’s build, he can really run. He mashes, and his future is at Coors Field. I think this is a future 30+ home run bat if it all clicks . If he doesn’t stay behind the plate, I wouldn’t pigeon-hole him into a future DH just yet.

Cole Mathis (Cubs) is a third baseman recovering from elbow surgery who was a bit of a data-darling. Yet to debut, I think he’s got a chance to burst onto the scene in a major way when his career starts in 2025. There’s power and a hit tool in there, and he’s a better runner than maybe some credit him for. I’m a fan.

I mentioned JD Dix above, so I won’t harp on it, but he’s on my list. Many felt he was going to school before the D-backs bought him out. He has yet to debut statistically anywhere online, so he is, for now, incognito. I’m excited about this one.

Finally, for all of our pitching collectors out there: Ryan Sloan (Mariners). Has anyone had more success developing righthanded pitching in the past few years than the Mariners? Next up could be Sloan, a prep arm from Illinois who sits in the high 90s, throws a ton of strikes and has advanced feel for his secondaries. I’ve heard this about him through the grapevine from a scout: “He could throw a marshmallow through the side of a battleship.” He’s a lower-risk high school arm—if such a thing exists—who you don’t need to dream on, as he’s already pretty damn good, and he fell into a really good organizational fit.

Breaker Value

For all you group breakers out there that are looking for the best value team, here are a couple that I think may fly under the radar. When assessing best team value, I’m looking at volume (of inserts, autographs, etc.) and primarily quality of position players.

• Phillies: The Phillies have six unique autos on the checklist and my favorite quartet of position player prospects. Carson DeMartini, John Spikerman, Griffin Burkholder and Dante Nori were all selected in the top five rounds of the draft and all four feature some high-end tools. Quantity and quality here.
• Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks also have six unique autos on the checklist. JD Dix and Ryan Waldschmidt are about as good of a high-end position player duo as you’re going to find in the set. Throw in their toolsy fourth round prep bat, Tytus Cissell, and you have a nice mix of floor, upside, and quantity in the position player group.
• Reds: They’ve got four unique players on the auto checklist, which falls somewhere towards the middle in terms of volume. Chase Burns headlines the group, but Tyson Lewis and Mike Sirota offer two, top five round position players with exciting tools. That’s a rock-solid trio if people shy away from the top player being an arm (though, I would expect Burns to be collectable).
• White Sox: Here’s another one where people may shy away because their top pick was an arm, but there’s quality and quantity here. The White Sox feature six unique players with autos on the checklist, headlined by lefty Hagen Smith. Beyond Hagen, the White Sox have an interesting mix of position players: Caleb Bonemer presents a toolsy, prep-middle-infielder with upside and is counter-balanced by collegiate infielder, Sam Antonacci, who is a favorite of many scouts for his exceptional hit-tool and high-baseball acumen. Nick McLain, the younger brother of Matt (Reds) and Sean (Dodgers) brings a track-record of hitting at Arizona State and that McLain-edge. University of Virginia rightfielder Casey Saucke has some high-end tools, notably raw power and a big arm.

Looking Ahead to 2025 Bowman

Anytime the Bowman Draft checklist is released, there’s an immediate thought of “who didn’t make the cut?” Usually, players who aren’t included in Bowman Draft are held back to be a keystone for the next flagship Bowman release. Last year, Paul Skenes and Wyatt Langford were featured in Bowman Draft, while Dylan Crews was held back to contribute to the excitement of 2024 Bowman. 

Here are 10 first-round names to anticipate for inclusion in 2025 Bowman:

• Charlie Condon (Rockies, Pick 3)
• JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals, Pick 7)
• Jurrangelo Cijntje (Mariners, Pick 15)
• PJ Morlando (Marlins, Pick 16)
• Vance Honeycutt (Orioles, Pick 22)
• Walker Janek (Astros, Pick 28)
• Slade Caldwell (D-backs, Pick 29)
• Malcolm Moore (Rangers, Pick 30)
• Kyle DeBarge (Twins, Pick 33)
• Caleb Lomavita (Nationals, Pick 39)

Quick take on the hold-backs? Not the strongest looking crop. Outside of Caldwell and Wetherholt, there’s just a handful of catchers (Janek, Moore, and Lomavita) and Condon, who likely won’t have the same appeal that Crews had last year after struggling in his first taste of pro ball this summer. 2024 Bowman Draft is the choice for my money.

Complete Checklist

You can find the complete checklist of cards here.

Stained-Glass Is Back, Plus Other Inserts

While there are a few returning insert sets for this year’s Bowman Draft (notably Draft Night and Prospector’s Special Die Cut Variation); Final Draft, In Tune, In Action, and Plasma Power will bring some fresh flavor for fans of the set.

Last year’s Bowman Glass insert set appears to have evolved into a much cleaner look with Etched In Glass. This year’s insert brings back the stained-glass feel in a much simpler presentation, merely swapping the background from the base version of each card in the set for stained-glass.

After the inclusion of the 1995 Bowman Tom Brady Montreal Expos set last year that featured autographed variations, Topps has made no such earth-shaking announcement regarding 2024 Draft. The inclusion of Brady contributed to the hyper-inflation of box prices on the after-market that, to this day, remain upwards of $1,000. Last year’s set also included Bowman Firsts for Carl Yastrzemski and Josh Gibson. No Retrofractors have been announced for 2024 Draft—at least as of yet.

Where to Buy, Formats & Pricing

Unlike other Bowman releases, Bowman Draft is a hobby-exclusive release, so you won’t be finding $30-$40 blasters at Walmart or Target. If you want in on some of the most collectable cards in the hobby, you’re going to have to fork over some serious cash or get creative on the after-market. Even without the inclusion of Tom Brady (2023 Bowman Draft), this product should skyrocket on secondary markets as it does every year.

Hobby Box

The hobby box will be returning at 12 packs per box and 32 cards per pack. Each hobby box will have, on average, three autographs and will likely presell for around $400. They will sell out quickly on Topps.com and take off from there. 

Jumbo Box

The jumbo box is, once again, a whopper. The 600-card box will feature five packs per box and 120 cards per pack for this format. Each jumbo box guarantees five autographs and likely has the entire 200-card base checklist multiple times over. Jumbo boxes will likely presell around $600 and, like the hobby box, sell out quickly and take off from there.