Top Prospects to Collect
Bowman Chrome is where the baseball magic begins! Think of it as the rookie card red carpet, rolling out the shimmering debut for tomorrow’s legends. From swanky Dominican shortstops to Venezuelan sluggers who can knock one out of the park with flair, the best international up-and-comers first flash their sparkle in Bowman Chrome. For collectors and fans, unwrapping a pack is like peeking into the future— and hey, who wouldn’t want a sneak peek at baseball’s next big sensation?
Top 10 Bowman Chrome International Prospects of All-Time #s 10-6
10: 2020 Bowman Chrome® Prospects #BP-8 Jasson Dominguez Auto
New York backed up the Brinks truck for Dominguez in 2019, awarding the 16-year-old prospect a $5.1 million signing bonus, a franchise record for an international free agent. Fast-forward to 2023, and the highly hyped talent christened his Yankees career by becoming the youngest player in the organization’s history since Mickey Mantle to homer and steal a base in the same game – his debut against the Astros. Before his campaign was cut short due to a torn UCL, the switch-hitting centerfield helped the Bronx Bombers rattle off five consecutive wins and set a Modern-Era record (since 2000) as the youngest player to homer in four of his first seven AL/NL games. The hype is as real as rent on the first!
9: 2022 Bowman Chrome® Prospects #BP-50 Elly De La Cruz Auto
We’ve talked about De La Cruz at length, dedicating one of our listicles to the Reds’ sensation. The 21-year-old blitzed the league, forcing fans to pay attention to a young and fun Cincinnati squad accelerating the timeline of its rebuild by fighting for a postseason spot and wowing crowds with otherworldly displays of power, speed, and arm strength. Check this. De La Cruz is the first Reds player since 1919 to steal every base, including home, in a single inning and the first since 1989 to hit for the cycle. It’s mind-boggling that both accomplishments took place in the same season. De La Cruz is a human cheat code, ladies and gentlemen.
8: 2014 Bowman Chrome® Prospects #BCP-78 Luis Severino
Severino burst onto the baseball scene with palpable buzz when his first Bowman card dropped in 2014. The anticipation wasn’t unwarranted; the Dominican fireballer boasts a blistering fastball, wicked slider, and crafty changeup that soon had MLB batters second-guessing at the plate. In 2017 and 2018, Severino showcased his prowess, earning back-to-back All-Star selections and an impressive 33-14 record over the two seasons. From Bowman Chrome Prospect to big league sensation, Severino’s arsenal and promise have firmly entrenched him as one of the game’s premier pitchers.
7: 2016 Bowman Chrome® Prospects #BCP-16 Willson Contreras
In seven seasons in Chicago, Contreras topped 20 homers four times and earned three All-Star appearances (2018, 2019, and 2022). He’s the lone catcher on this list and one of the best in the Bigs. In 2023, the native Venezuelan joined St. Louis, where he is on pace to exceed 20 dingers again. He’s already surpassed 60 RBIs and is a key cog on a rebuilding Cardinals squad.
6: 2015 Bowman Chrome® Prospects #GT Gleyber Torres Auto
Torres’ baseball journey began with promise when he signed as an international free agent with the Cubs in 2013. His undeniable talent soon caught the eyes of the New York Yankees, who acquired him in the 2016 Aroldis Chapman trade. In the Big Apple, Torres quickly flourished, making his MLB debut in 2018 and earning two consecutive All-Star selections in 2018 and 2019. Though the 26-year-old has yet to repeat the success of his ’18 and ’19 seasons, the Yankees’ slugger is a franchise cornerstone whose best days could still be ahead of him.
