December marked an exciting event in the world of baseball card collecting with the highly anticipated release of Bowman Draft. As a staple for collectors, Bowman Draft unveils the first Bowman cards for players selected in the previous year’s draft, usually showcasing most first-round picks while reserving a few notable names for the upcoming Bowman Baseball release.
In the 2025 edition, fans were left on the edge of their seats as third overall pick Charlie Condon and eighth overall pick JJ Wetherholt were set aside for the next year’s product. Despite their absence, this year’s set did not disappoint, offering plenty of thrills and mysteries for collectors to uncover.
One of the standout features of this year’s release was the debut of Travis Bazzana and Jac Caglianone’s first Bowman cards. Bazzana, the first overall pick, and Caglianone, the sixth overall pick, dubbed as the “next Shohei Ohtani,” captured collectors’ attention. Caglianone, in particular, made history during his collegiate years at the University of Florida by securing an exclusive deal with Fanatics and Topps. Although Topps did not release his cards during college, collectors can now own cards showcasing his Florida days through other sources.
Unlike basketball or football, where rookies often make an immediate impact, baseball prospects undergo extensive training in the minor leagues. For collectors, investing in First Bowman cards requires patience and foresight, as these cards have the potential to skyrocket in value once the player reaches the major leagues and fulfills their promise.
Topps’ foray into college-themed cards aligns with the burgeoning trend of NIL agreements in collegiate sports. After the introduction of NIL rules, Topps swiftly released college football and basketball products. Although they unveiled a college-focused Bowman product in 2021, it wasn’t until now that college baseball cards became part of the Bowman Draft lineup.
This year’s Bowman Draft introduces a subset of Chrome College Variations, offering collectors a distinctive twist. While not an exclusive college set, these cards signify Topps’ closest embrace of college baseball within the Bowman brand. The response has been phenomenal, with Jac Caglianone’s college card from the set fetching a record $6,500, making it the priciest Florida Gators card to date.
The subset features ten standout players, including Travis Bazzana, Hagen Smith, Jac Caglianone, and more. These cards are exceptionally rare, with base versions appearing at odds of 1:713 in hobby packs and 1:185 in super jumbo packs. Collectors can seek limited parallels like gold refractors, orange refractors, red refractors, and the ultimate 1/1 Superfractor.
The rarity and allure of these cards have made them highly sought after by both seasoned collectors and new enthusiasts attracted to the infusion of college imagery. This moment signifies an exciting blend of prospecting thrills and college sports nostalgia for collectors.
As Bowman Draft continues to evolve, the inclusion of Chrome College Variations showcases Topps’ dedication to innovating the hobby. Collectors eagerly crack open packs in pursuit of these elusive treasures, strengthening the bond between baseball’s future stars and their formative college years. This year’s Bowman Draft isn’t just a card set; it’s a tribute to baseball’s rich history, vibrant present, and promising future, told through the engaging lens of a hobby that never loses its charm.
