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The Unique Inclusion of College Cards in Bowman Draft: A New Era for Collectors

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December brought one of the most anticipated releases of the year: Bowman Draft. This product has long been a cornerstone for baseball card collectors, offering the first Bowman cards for players from the previous year's draft. It traditionally highlights the majority of first-round picks, while holding back a few notable names for Bowman Baseball, typically released early the following year.

This year was no exception to this strategy, with third overall pick Charlie Condon and eighth overall pick JJ Wetherholt saved for the 2025 product. Their absence from Bowman Draft left collectors eagerly awaiting what’s to come, but this year’s set still delivered plenty of excitement and intrigue.

Among the highlights were the first Bowman cards for Travis Bazzana, the first overall pick, and Jac Caglianone, the sixth overall pick and a rising star often referred to as the "next Shohei Ohtani." For Caglianone, his inclusion was particularly significant. During his collegiate career at the University of Florida, Caglianone made history as the first college baseball player to sign an exclusive deal with Fanatics and Topps. Though Topps did not release cards of him during his college tenure, collectors now have the opportunity to own cards showcasing his time at Florida through other sources.

Baseball’s unique developmental structure sets it apart from other major sports. Unlike basketball or football, where players often make an immediate impact in the professional leagues, baseball prospects spend years honing their skills in the minors. For collectors, investing in First Bowman cards is an exercise in patience and foresight, as these cards can grow significantly in value once a player reaches the majors and fulfills their potential.

Topps’ venture into college-themed cards aligns with the rise of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) agreements, which have transformed the landscape of collegiate sports. Topps seized the opportunity early, releasing college football and basketball products after NIL rules were introduced. In 2021, they debuted their first college-focused Bowman product in decades, but it wasn’t until now that college baseball cards became part of the Bowman Draft lineup.

This year’s Bowman Draft includes a subset of Chrome College Variations, offering collectors a unique twist. While not a dedicated college-specific set, these cards mark the closest Topps has come to fully embracing college baseball within its Bowman brand. The response has been extraordinary. Jac Caglianone’s college card from this set recently sold for a staggering $6,500, setting a record as the highest-priced Florida Gators card ever.

The subset features ten standout players, including Travis Bazzana, Hagen Smith, Jac Caglianone, Christian Moore, Ryan Waldschmidt, Carson Benge, James Tibbs III, Braden Montgomery, Cam Smith, and Blake Burke. These cards are incredibly rare, with base versions appearing at odds of 1:713 in hobby packs and 1:185 in super jumbo packs. Beyond the base versions, collectors can chase limited parallels like gold refractors numbered to 50, orange refractors numbered to 25, red refractors numbered to 5, and the elusive 1/1 Superfractor.

The rarity and unique appeal of these cards have made them a hot commodity. They cater to both traditional collectors and newer fans drawn to the fresh infusion of college imagery into the Bowman Draft lineup. For collectors, it’s an exciting moment—one that blends the thrill of prospecting with the nostalgia of college athletics.

Bowman Draft continues to evolve, and the inclusion of Chrome College Variations underscores Topps’ commitment to innovation in the hobby. As collectors rip open packs in search of these rare treasures, the connection between the game’s future stars and their formative years grows stronger. This year’s Bowman Draft isn’t just another set; it’s a celebration of baseball’s past, present, and future, told through the lens of a hobby that remains as vibrant as ever.