2023 Bowman Chrome Prospect Review
The highly anticipated 2023 Topps Bowman Chrome® rolls out the red carpet for another stellar prospect class from around the globe! Standard hobby boxes promise a pair of autographs and an assortment of other cards. HTA Choice boxes are all-autograph affairs with just three cards.
Below is our review of some of the top baseball prospects of the 2023 season that many will be chasing in Bowman Chrome!
Written by: Jay Grusznski and Emil Cienik
*Players are listed in no particular order.
Samuel Basallo (C – Orioles)
As if the Orioles needed another elite catcher, Samuel Basallo has skyrocketed his way up prospect rankings lists with some extremely impressive numbers at the plate since signing for $1.5MM in 2021. The 6’4″ lefty hits the ball. HARD. Basallo started off the season in Single-A and got promoted to High-A where his numbers have actually improved over the 24 games there – now holding a combined year average of .301 with 18 home runs. Lucky for Adley, the Orioles may move him away from catching as he profiles as a power-hitting 1st baseman that has huge breakout potential in 2024.
Joendry Vargas (SS – Dodgers)
Standing 6’4″ tall at only seventeen years old, it’s tough to miss Joendry Vargas on the field. Couple that with his massive hit potential and advanced fielding & it’s obvious to see why the Dodgers are so excited about him. After signing for a $2MM bonus, Vargas crushed in the Dominican Summer League this year, batting .328/.423/.529 in 208 plate appearances. He’ll likely get moved to 3B as he grows into his frame more which won’t be a problem with his plus arm strength.
Ethan Salas (C – Padres)
The young phenom Ethan Salas has been making headlines ever since signing with the Padres for $5.6MM in January as a 16 year-old out of Venezuela. He cracked the Spring Training roster with the Padres and then flew through their minor league system, ending up in AA where the average is 24 – an unprecedented jump for someone only 17 years old. He is projecting to be a Five-Tool catcher that can do it all. Salas will easily be the top chase in 2023 Bowman Chrome.
Rayner Arias (OF – Giants)
The Giants bet big on Rayner Arias, inking him to their biggest international signee deal since 2015 at $2.7MM. They loved what they saw in Arias’ strong frame, advanced baseball IQ, and background in the game from his dad, a former minor leaguer turned professional scout. We unfortunately didn’t get to see all Arias had to offer after a wrist injury took him out for the season, but he put up massive numbers as a 17 year old in the Dominican Summer League. In 16 games, Arias posted a .414/.540/.793 slash line with 12 extra base hits and a massive 1.333 OPS. Arias should pick up where he left off next season with an expected start in Single-A.
Felnin Celesten (SS – Mariners)
If it wasn’t for Ethan Salas in 2023 Bowman Chrome, Felnin Celesten could have been the top chase. The 6’1″ 175lbs seventeen year old has the Mariners buzzing with his massive upside. The switch-hitting shortstop shows massive pop from both sides of the plate and is going to be a defensive asset with his advanced tools.
Justyn-Henry Malloy (3B – Braves)
Although his first Bowman auto will be as a Brave, Justyn-Henry Malloy could very well be making his MLB debut soon as a Tiger. A hidden gem out of the 2021 Draft as a 6th Round Pick, Malloy was traded to the Tigers last offseason and spent the entirety of this season mashing the ball in AAA. He’s sitting right now at a .292 average with 23 home runs. Although his defense has been questioned, Malloy proved this year that he’ll be an offensive weapon in the big leagues soon.
Zack Gelof (2B – Athletics)
We’ve been waiting for Zack Gelof 1st Bowman Autos ever since he got drafted in the 2nd Round of the 2021 MLB Draft. Since then, he has done nothing but hit. hit. and then hit some more. After burning through the minor leagues, Gelof made his MLB Debut this past July, and has been a bright spot in an otherwise dismal Athletics season. The August AL Rookie of the Month has cemented his spot in the big leagues and will look to grow on his fast start as a big-hitting, speedy middle infielder.
Alfredo Duno (C – Reds)
Another “if it wasn’t for Ethan Salas” player in 2023 Bowman Chrome, Alfredo Duno was touter as one of best international catching prospect from the last few years. Signing for $3MM, Duno got off to a red hot start in the Dominican Summer League, with a slash line of .409/.522/.690 and 5 home runs over 19 games. He cooled off a bit since then but more than proved he can hit for average as well as power. He spent this season solely as a DH but the Reds expect him to be an elite defender behind the plate as well.
Brandon Mayea (OF – Yankees)
In typical Yankee fashon, they made another splash this last international signing period by going after Brandon Mayea (who now goes by Brando). With a huge $4.2MM signing bonus, the Yanks project Mayea to be a 5-Tool juggernaut. His speed, arm strength and fielding ability will allow him to play anywhere in the outfield, and his bat speed plus natural hitting ability project him to develop into a great hitter as we wait to see his power start to show a bit more.
Marco Vargas (2B – Marlins)
Signing for the Marlins in 2023 Bowman Chrome, Marco Vargas was traded to the Mets in late July. He has since played through the rookie ball season and earned a promotion to single A where he has hit over .300 in his first six games. Vargas has improved defensively and projects as a solid middle infielder and an elite batter with above average contact and more walks than strikeouts.
Deyvison De Los Santos (3B – Diamondbacks)
After only having base in 2023 Bowman, Deyvison De Los Santos returns with his 1st Bowman Auto in 2023 Bowman Chrome. Deyvison began the 2023 season at just 19 years old, but he carries elite power that is among the best in baseball. He does strike out a ton, but has still managed to win batting titles while amassing impressive power numbers. He will likely end up becoming a heart-of-the-order first baseman in a big league lineup. After a slow start this year, De Los Santos turned things around at the plate and is currently hitting ,257 with 18 HR in his first full season at AA.
Sebastian Walcott (SS – Rangers)
Although we’ll need to wait a bit longer for his Bowman 1st autos, Sebastian Walcott does appear in the base set. The 6’4” shortstop may be the best prospect to ever come out of the Bahamas, a place that is starting to produce more baseball talent. He’s been one of the fastest rising prospects in the minors this year, starting the season in the DSL before a promotion to Arizona and now finishing with High A Hickory. The 17 year old already has top notch exit velocities to go with a good feel at the plate, so his projectable frame adds to his exciting offensive profile.
Welbyn Francisca (SS – Guardians)
The Guardians’ big splash in the 2023 International signing class, Welbyn Francisco received $1.375 million. He made an immediate impression, going 5 for 7 in his first game as a pro down in the Dominican Summer League. The 5’8” shortstop continued to hit all season long, ending with a .316 average while taking a good amount of walks and limiting strikeouts. As the 17 year old gets bigger and stronger, he should add some power to his arsenal.
Brailer Guerrero (OF – Rays)
A shoulder injury ended his debut season after just 23 at bats, but the Rays are excited about Brailer Guerrero’s future. The 17 year old signed for $3.7 million out of the Dominican Republic and his calling card is power that should hit for average as well. The 6’1” 215 pounder shows elite exit velocities from his smooth left handed swing. He projects as a corner outfielder with middle of the lineup offensive potential.
Luis Lara (OF – Brewers)
Milwaukee signed Luis Lara out of Venezuela in 2022 and he had an impressive season in the Dominican Summer League, hitting .260 with 16 extra base hits in 58 games as a 17 year old. The Brewers were aggressive with his first taste of baseball in the States this year, sending him to Single A Carolina, where he showed that the move was justified, hitting .285 and earning a promotion to High A Wisconsin. The diminutive 5’7” outfielder may never hit for much power, but the switch hitter shows great bat to ball skills with a good eye at the plate.
Cristofer Torin (SS – Diamondbacks)
It looks like the Diamondbacks got a bargain when they signed Cristofer Torin for just $240,000 in 2022. He hit .333 over 50 games in the Dominican Summer League while walking nearly twice as many times as striking out. Defensively, he’s got the arm and hands to stick at shortstop and his speed shows up on the bases, stealing 20+ bases in each of his two seasons. The righty started the year in the Arizona Complex League and hit .320, earning a promotion to Class A.
Jesus (Starlyn) Caba (SS – Phillies)
Only appearing in the base set, Jesus (Starlyn) Caba was one of the top SS in the 2023 International class and signed with the Phillies for $3 million. The 17 year old showed great plate discipline in the DSL, walking 28 times in 38 games while only striking out 16 times. The switch hitter didn’t show much pop, and will probably top out as more of a doubles hitter, but his hit tool is legit, finishing at .301 in his first season as a professional. Defensively, he has a chance to be a plus defender at shortstop.
Keiner Delgado (SS – Yankees)
After crushing the Dominican Summer League last year, Keiner Delgado continued his tear in the Florida Complex League. While power and size aren’t his niche, the 5′ 7″ middle infielder has one of the most polished bats out of anyone his age. His plate presence is unmatched, he walks more than he strikes out, and he consistently barrels the ball hard. Combo that with his speed (and 70 stolen bases over the last two years), and it’s easy to see why he’s so highly touted in the Yankees prospect pool.
Luis Guanipa (OF – Braves)
Don’t let his smaller stature or his middle of the season slump fool you, Luis Guanipa has one of the highest upsides out of anyone from this last international signing period. Guanipa boasts some great tools highlighted by his speed, and he had some serious flashes of greatness this season in the Dominican Summer League. His first thirteen games saw a slash line of 296/.367/.519 with 3 HR & 10 SB. Guanipa should be able to stick in center field and provide plenty of value with both his glove and bat.
Jacob Reimer (3B – Mets)
Jacob Reimer slipped to the 4th Round of the 2022 MLB Draft, but the high school power-hitter signed for a well-above slot value bonus. He showed his advanced hitting skills during the 2023 season and graduated levels twice, ending up in High-A at 19 years old. The Mets will be looking to build on his 6’2″, 205-pound frame and really tap into his power potential. Reimer is primed for a big 2024 season if he can develop more defensively and put together all his tools offensively.