News

Trying to breathe new life into a hobby that’s been around since the days of flannel uniforms and hot dogs isn’t exactly easy. But credit where it’s due: Fanatics has been giving it the old college try. They’ve managed to shake things up with innovations like the MLB Debut Patch and the Social Media Followback redemption — moves that actually feel like they belong in the 21st century.

Now, they’re rolling out the Bowman Red Rookie. Here’s the gist: a select number of rookies in Bowman’s 2025 lineup will come stamped with a flashy red RC logo. Starting in November, those cards unlock a shot at some pretty sweet prizes. There’s a catch, of course — the player on the card has to win Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, MVP, or eventually make it to Cooperstown.

Sure, holding onto one until the Hall of Fame call comes might make you “the CEO of Fanatics” — at least according to one very optimistic X user. But let’s be real: the Rookie of the Year prize is the one that’s actually within reach.

One of the big names included in the program is Roki Sasaki — and he’s got the upside to justify the hype. But let’s cut to the chase: which 2025 Bowman Red Rookies are actually worth chasing when the set drops next week?

Luckily, Prospects Live’s own Max Arterburn crunched the numbers for us. He started with a 30-player Red Rookie checklist and whittled it down with some good old-fashioned process-of-elimination.

First up, eight players are already toast for 2025 ROY — they blew past rookie eligibility last year by piling up too many at-bats, innings, or days on the roster. So you can skip Connor Norby, Spencer Schwellenbach, Drew Thorpe, Jhonkensy Noel, David Festa, Ben Rice, James Wood, and Brooks Lee.

That leaves 22. But wait — injuries are always lurking. Rhett Lowder, Kumar Rocker, and River Ryan are all out of commission at the moment. Even if Lowder and Rocker come back, they’d need to pitch like Paul Skenes on steroids to get back in the race. River Ryan might get another shot next season, but let’s not hold our breath.

Twelve more prospects are pretty much non-factors in the majors so far — they’re either still seasoning in the minors or haven’t made much of a dent yet. That scratches Adrian Del Castillo, Shay Whitcomb, Thomas Saggese, Hyesong Kim, Adael Amador, Hurston Waldrep, Tyler Locklear, Coby Mayo, Caden Dana, Kevin Alcantara, Orelvis Martinez, and Nick Yorke.

That leaves us with seven hopefuls. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows there either. Luisangel Acuña has yet to lock down a spot and hasn’t shown much pop. Jace Jung has some promise but hasn’t exactly set the league on fire. Tomoyuki Sugano’s strikeout rate could use a little love.

So, by process of elimination (and maybe a dash of common sense), we’re down to the four Red Rookies you should be hunting: Jackson Jobe, Jacob Wilson, Roki Sasaki, and Dylan Crews.

If you’re angling for that $100 Fanatics prize — and let’s face it, who isn’t — these are the guys who could actually deliver. Sure, some of them might end up with plaques in Cooperstown one day, but if you’re banking on that for your Red Rookie payday, well… let’s just say patience is a virtue.

Buy on eBay