The “Hot Stove” is heating up with baseball free agents signing contracts that once were unthinkable and teams wheeling and dealing as if it was July 31st. The same can be said with the baseball trading card industry with Topps releasing six baseball products this month. One of which, is becoming a classic with its yearly hype. That would be 2014 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects, which released this week.
Topps has included 220 cards in both of the paper and chrome base set. The paper set features numbered color, printing plate and white ice parallels, while chrome displays a rainbow of different colored refractors.
As the name states, Bowman Draft is focused on last summer’s MLB draftees with most players from the first couple of rounds included (see the checklist below) and some from later rounds. Cards of players like Cubs’ catching prospect Kyle Schwarber are already generating strong interest online. Ditto for Nick Gordon, younger brother of Dee Gordon, drafted by the Minnesota Twins.
This year, Bowman Draft releases in three variations, hobby, jumbo and super jumbo. Hobby, like in previous years, guarantees one autograph in 24 packs per box and seven cards per pack. Jumbo increases with three autographs in 12 packs per box and 32 cards per pack. Super Jumbo reigns supreme as it features five autographs in 10 packs per box, which include a monumental 60 cards per pack. Topps has ensured that no matter which type of box you decide to rip into, there is an exclusive for each variant.
If you decide to pick up a hobby box of BDPP you can find a limited number of variations amongst a wide variety of inserts.
– Black 1/1 paper parallel
– Serial Numbered White Ice Parallel
– Serial Numbered Black Chrome Refractor
– Serial Numbered Bowman Initiation Insert
– SuperFractor Variation of Future of the Franchise Mini
– Serial Numbered Black Autograph Refractors
– Black 1/1 2014 Sirius XM All-Star Futures Game Relic Cards
– MLB Draft Ticket
The exclusivity continues if you spend a little more on a box of Jumbo.
– Serial Numbered Orange Ice Parallel
– 2 Base Refractors Per Pack
– Black Future of the Franchise Mini
– Dual Draftees Red Parallel Autographs
– Red /5 2014 Sirius XM All-Star Futures Game Relic Cards
Super Jumbo takes the cake this year and has a number of special treats in each box as well.
– Serial Numbered Green Paper Parallel
– 3 Base Refractors Per Jumbo Pack
– Serial Numbered Super Jumbo Refractor
– Future of the Franchise Red Parallel
– Serial Numbered Super Jumbo Autograph Refractor
– Serial Numbered Red Diamond 1989 Bowman is Back Refractor
The autograph checklist is what everyone looks forward to seeing and Topps will try to keep collectors happy as they include some of the games young up and coming stars with 71 chrome prospect autos. One name that stands out on the checklist is Johnny Manziel. Yes, Johnny Football has an autograph in a baseball prospect product. His autographs are SSP and it should be interesting to see how high they will soar on the after market considering he takes over as starting quarterback this week in Cleveland. At least one autographed version is already on eBay.
Topps has included some unique insert subsets this year with Future of the Franchise, Dual Draftees, Draft Night, Bowman Scouts’ Breakouts and the hobby exclusive, Bowman Initiation. Be sure to keep an eye out for the 1989 Bowman is Back Silver Diamond Refractors as well as the underrated Bowman Black autograph set.
Most collectors strive for the chrome, refractors and autographs but don’t overlook the relic cards with the 2014 Sirius XM All-Star Future Game relic cards. Each card features a piece of jersey from some of the top prospects that participated in last year’s game and are each serial numbered. Topps has also incorporated autographed cards from All-American high school games and wave refractor hot packs into Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects as well.
You can get a look at the ‘most watched’ 2014 Bowman Draft on eBay below.
2014 Bowman Draft Picks Checklist
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[…] delays decided that it was a good idea to release: 2014 Topps Dynasty, 2014 Topps High Tek, 2014 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects Regular, Jumbo and Super Jumbo, 2014 Topps Five Star, 2014 Bowman Mini Chrome and 2014 Bowman Sterling all within the month of […]