Hobby Hype: Ranking the Top Prospects and Sleepers for 2025 Bowman Baseball

With opening day behind us and Topps ramping up the Bowman Baseball 2025 hype by releasing the cover athletes, James Wood and Charlie Condon, we felt it was time to evaluate the prospects likely to excite collectors for 2025 Bowman. Although not every player will make the Bowman release—especially recent international signees, who are more likely to appear in 2025 Bowman Chrome—we’ve covered them all.

It’s worth noting that we generally avoid collecting or valuing pitchers, whether at release or shortly thereafter. Paul Skenes is arguably a once-in-a-generation rookie who maintains immense hobby interest and essentially needs to win the Cy Young to justify his elevated prices. That said, there are still some exciting pitching prospects for 2025 that we’ve included.

Once the official checklist is out we will do a full re-evaluation for all confirmed prospects and teams closer to release day.

Jump to Analysis

Jump to Sleeper Prospects

Prospect Rankings

Hobby Ceiling: A subjective projection of how valuable a player’s 1st Bowman could become at peak hype.

Risk: A qualitative measure of the volatility in the prospect’s profile, based on age, tool development, and underlying rawness.

Risk Levels

• Low: High floor, polished, safer profile
• Moderate: Balanced upside/floor
• High: Boom-or-bust, toolsy, or very young/raw
• Very High: Extremely volatile (e.g., DSL kids, teenage catchers, two-way projects)

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Analysis

2025 Bowman Baseball Rankings and Risk
The Bowman Baseball 2025 edition promises an exciting crop of prospects, and we're updating our wishlist with the latest rankings and insights. Below you'll find the Top 15 prospects we hope to see (with detailed scouting reports), five intriguing sleepers who could be hidden gems, and a handful of Honorable Mentions. Each player’s profile includes their draft/signing info, age, team, and what makes them special. Collectors should be hyped – many of these players have shown recent breakouts or elite tools that could make their 1st Bowman cards the chase cards of 2025.

Bowman is all about the future stars, and this list reflects the most up-to-date performances and projections as of Spring 2025. From record-smashing college sluggers to international phenoms drawing comparisons to established stars, these prospects bring the excitement for the hobby. Let’s dive in!

Top 15 Prospects for 2025 Bowman

Charlie Condon, OF/1B, Rockies
2024 Draft: 1st Round (#3 overall)
The 6'6" slugger out of Georgia put up a historic college season in 2024, hitting .449/.567/1.102 and tying the BBCOR-era NCAA home run record with 33 homers. Condon’s 70-grade power and advanced plate approach were on full display (he broke Georgia’s HR record and homered in 7 straight games). The Rockies took him third overall, and he’s expected to move quickly. Collectors are salivating at his potential – a polished college bat with huge power in Coors Field is a recipe for hobby stardom.

Kevin McGonigle, 2B/SS, Tigers
2023 Draft: Competitive Balance Round A (#37)
A “hitting machine” with an elite hit tool, McGonigle might be the best pure contact hitter the Tigers have drafted in years. In 2024, as a 19-year-old, he won the Florida State League MVP by hitting .326 with a .407 OBP and 20 steals in Low-A. He struck out just 24 times versus 35 walks at that level, showcasing advanced discipline beyond his years. The 5'10" lefty has sneaky pop and solid speed (20 SB), drawing a 65-grade hit tool from scouts. He’s now a consensus Top 25 prospect in MLB, and his first Bowman card will be a must-have for those who love high-contact, high-OBP players.

P.J. Morlando, OF, Marlins
2024 Draft: 1st Round (#16)
Morlando is a 19-year-old high school slugger with plus raw power and a lightning-quick left-handed bat. He built an impressive amateur resume (winning the High School Home Run Derby and All-American Game MVP). At 6'3" and 220 lbs, he’s already bulked up and generates high-end exit velocities, though some scouts questioned his swing mechanics and in-game power before the draft. In his senior year he was so feared that he drew 18 consecutive intentional walks at one point – evidence of his patient approach. Miami believes in his athleticism and has him starting in center field for now. If he stays healthy (back issues in 2024 and recent elbow surgery are pretty concerning) and taps into his power consistently, Morlando could become the Marlins’ next power-hitting sensation. We think the injury and team market will hold back his Bowman values making him an intriguing player to collect post-release.

Jesús Made, SS, Brewers
2024 International Signing (Dominican Republic)
Milwaukee’s latest international phenom, Made debuted in the DSL at 17 and promptly put up better numbers than Jackson Chourio did at the same age. The switch-hitting shortstop hit .331 with a .458 OBP and .554 SLG in 51 games, with 6 homers and 28 steals. He was named the Brewers’ Co-Minor League Player of the Year as a rookie. Made boasts above-average power from both sides and a keen eye (nearly as many walks as strikeouts). Reports out of instructs raved about his exit velocities and all-field impact, with the Brewers noting 104+ mph hits regularly. Add in soft hands, plus arm strength, and smooth footwork at short, and you have a potential five-tool shortstop. He’s already drawing Jackson Chourio comparisons in Brewers camp – talk about hype for his 1st Bowman!

JJ Wetherholt, 2B/3B, Cardinals
2024 Draft: 1st Round (#7)
Wetherholt was arguably the best pure hitter in the 2024 college class. At West Virginia, he won the Division I batting title in 2023 by slashing .449/.517/.787 with 16 HR and was named Big 12 Player of the Year. A hamstring injury limited his 2024 season a bit, but he still showed exceptional contact skills – his whiff rate was only ~10% with more walks than strikeouts in college. The 5'10" lefty has a short, efficient swing that drives the ball to all fields without much swing-and-miss. St. Louis grabbed him at #7 overall to inject some high-end hit tool into their system. Don’t sleep on his speed either (he’s a 20+ SB threat). Wetherholt’s combination of elite contact and on-base ability should allow him to rocket through the minors, making his Bowman Chrome autograph a coveted one for set collectors and investors alike.

Slade Caldwell, OF, Diamondbacks
2024 Draft: 1st Round (#29)
A dynamic sparkplug, Caldwell is a 5'9” left-handed hitter who plays with high energy and showcases 70-grade speed on the bases. Arizona went overslot to grab him late in the 1st round, enamored by his top-of-the-order profile. In high school in Arkansas, he was a two-time Gatorade POY and led his team to a state title. Caldwell’s advanced approach was evident in rookie ball, where he drew walks and got on base at a strong clip (he had a .438 OBP in his first 20 pro games). He’s a plus defender in center field with excellent range. While he’s undersized and may never hit for big power, he makes a lot of contact and can spray line drives. Think a Steven Kwan or Alek Thomas type of outfielder – if it all clicks, he’ll be a pesky leadoff hitter that collectors adore for his all-around game.

Vance Honeycutt, OF, Orioles
2024 Draft: 1st Round (#22)
Honeycutt is an electric power-speed prospect who put up eye-popping counting stats at UNC. In his college career, he amassed over 60 homers and 70 steals, including a school-record 25 HR and 29 SB as a freshman. As a junior in 2024, he led the ACC with 28 HR and reached the College World Series, cementing himself as a Golden Spikes finalist. The Orioles were thrilled to grab him at 22 – his upside is evident in his plus raw power, speed, and highlight-reel defense in center field (some in Baltimore’s organization say he has Gold Glove potential). The only knock is his contact: Honeycutt struck out ~33% of the time last year. But Baltimore has had success improving hitters’ approaches. If Honeycutt can even get to a manageable strikeout rate, his ceiling is through the roof (30-30 potential). His first Bowman could become a key card from this draft class, especially for O’s fans dreaming of the next Cedric Mullins-type success story.

Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP, Mariners
2024 Draft: 1st Round (#15)
Cijntje is one of the most unique prospects in baseball: a true ambidextrous pitcher who can start. Yes, he pitches with both arms, and he’s not just a sideshow – he’s legitimately effective from each side. At Mississippi State, the 5’11” Curacao native would throw right-handed to righty batters and left-handed to lefties, touching 99 mph as a righty and 95 mph as a lefty. Across his sophomore season, he racked up 113 strikeouts in 90.2 innings, showing he can miss bats. As a right-hander, Cijntje features a mid-90s heater with riding life, a hard slider in the upper-80s, and a changeup. From the left side, he drops a sweeping breaking ball in the low-80s. The Mariners will likely let him continue as a switch-pitcher and see how far it goes – his athleticism and arm talent are off the charts. For collectors, he’s pure novelty and upside; his “1st Bowman” will be chased both for the talent and the cool factor of the only modern switch-pitcher in the minors.

Franklin Arias, SS, Red Sox
2023 International Signing (Dominican Republic)
Arias burst onto the scene in 2024 by dominating the Florida Complex League as an 18-year-old. He slashed .355/.471/.584 with 16 doubles, 6 HR, and 30 steals, earning FCL MVP honors. A right-handed hitter with an advanced approach, Arias led the FCL in batting average, OBP, SLG, OPS (1.055), and wRC+ (181!). He walked as often as he struck out (34 BB vs. 34 K) – a remarkable display of plate discipline for a teenager. On the basepaths, he’s aggressive and fast (41 runs and 30 stolen bases in 51 games). Defensively, he plays both middle infield positions with smooth actions. The Red Sox pushed him to Low-A late in the year, and though he cooled off, he held his own. Arias now sits among Boston’s top 10 prospects and looks like a high-OBP table-setter in the making. He could be a steal in the Bowman product – a lesser-known name with sky-high stats to back him up.

Jhonny Level, SS, Giants
2023 International Signing (Venezuela)
Level is a switch-hitting infielder who had a standout pro debut in the DSL. Turning 17 right before the 2024 season, he put up a .275/.393/.517 line with 9 HR, 10 doubles, and 18 steals in 48 games. His 14% walk rate and 16.7% strikeout rate show a very mature approach for such a young player. Jhonny’s excellent bat-to-ball skills and patience led to a 140 wRC+ despite being one of the youngest in the league. He also got better as the season went on, finishing with a flurry of home runs down the stretch. At 5’10” and 154 lbs, he has plenty of room to add strength – scouts project average or better power as he fills out. Defensively, Level has a chance to stick at shortstop with his smooth actions and solid range, but he could also profile at third base. He’s flown up the Giants prospect rankings and is now considered a top-10 prospect in their system. Keep an eye on him – collectors who snag his cards early might be rewarded if Level’s all-around game continues to blossom.

Chase Dollander, RHP, Rockies
2023 Draft: 1st Round (#9)
Dollander might be the best pitching prospect Colorado has ever had. The 22-year-old righty had a stellar first pro season in 2024, splitting time in High-A and Double-A and compiling a 2.59 ERA with 169 strikeouts in 118 innings. His 12.9 strikeouts-per-nine innings ranked among the minor league leaders. A former SEC Pitcher of the Year at Tennessee, Dollander features a riding fastball that sits 95–97 mph (touching 99) with excellent vertical break. His primary weapon is a mid-80s sweeping slider that generates a ton of whiffs – a true putaway pitch. He also mixes in a fading changeup and a curveball to keep hitters off balance. Importantly, Dollander adjusted well to pro ball, cutting down his walks and maintaining velocity deep into his outings. The Rockies aggressively moved him to Double-A and even gave him a taste of Triple-A by season’s end. If he can tame the altitude of Coors, he has frontline starter potential – having racked up over 200 strikeouts total in 2024 across all levels. His 1st Bowman auto will be highly sought after, as Rockies fans and collectors alike hope he becomes the homegrown ace Colorado desperately needs.

Jhostynxon Garcia, OF, Red Sox
2019 International Signing (Venezuela)
One of the more intriguing breakout players of 2024, Garcia went from relative unknown to a 40-man roster player for Boston. Now 22, the righty-hitting outfielder led the Red Sox system with 23 HR in 2024, slashing .286/.356/.536 across Low-A and High-A. A few years ago, he earned the nickname “The Password” on social media due to his unique name, and he lived up to it by unlocking a new level of performance last season. Garcia has impressive raw power, particularly to the pull side, and regularly posted exit velocities over 105 mph in games. He also added 17 stolen bases, showing a decent mix of athleticism. At 6'0" and 190 lbs, he’s filled out nicely since signing and now profiles as a power-hitting corner outfielder with a strong arm. While his approach is still aggressive, he improved his strikeout rate and showed he can handle advanced pitching. Red Sox fans are excited about him – he even got a look in big-league camp this spring – and his first Bowman card should generate collector curiosity and upside speculation.

Luke Dickerson, SS, Nationals
2024 Draft: 2nd Round (#44)
Dickerson is a well-rounded shortstop who fell under the radar in a deep draft class but is already impressing in the Nationals system. At 19, the left-handed hitter’s calling card is his advanced plate discipline – he rarely chases out of the zone and posted a near 1:1 K:BB ratio in his Complex League debut. Standing 6'2", scouts see developing power in him (he flashes gap power now and could grow into 15–20 HR potential). Defensively, Dickerson has smooth actions at short and enough arm strength, though Washington has also given him reps at second base. With the Nationals amid a rebuild, Dickerson could move quickly if he continues to get on base at a high clip. He’s exactly the kind of under-the-radar prospect whose Bowman first auto could be a sneaky investment, especially if he starts tapping into more power to complement his natural hitting skills.

Wyatt Sanford, SS, Pirates
2024 Draft: 2nd Round (#47)
Sanford is a slick-fielding shortstop whom many evaluators considered the best defensive prep infielder in the 2024 draft. Pittsburgh snagged him in the second round, betting on his glove and leadership intangibles. At 19, Wyatt shows elite defense – quick feet, soft hands, great instincts, and a plus arm. He’s drawn comparisons to a young Brendan Ryan or Nick Ahmed based on his smooth defensive play. While the question remains about his bat, early returns have been positive; he held his own in rookie ball, making consistent contact and beginning to add strength. The Pirates have been working to unlock more of his offensive potential through swing tweaks. Even if Sanford only hits around .260 with modest power, his glove could carry him to the majors. For Bowman collectors, he represents a defense-first profile that could age well – especially if his bat surprises to the upside.

Yairo Padilla, SS, Cardinals
2024 International Signing (Dominican Republic)
Padilla was one of the top talents in the 2024 international class and St. Louis’s marquee signing. He’s an athletic 18-year-old shortstop with 80-grade speed – clocked at 6.3 seconds in the 60-yard dash. In the DSL, he immediately put that speed to use, swiping bases and showing great range defensively. Excitingly, Padilla experienced a sudden growth spurt after signing, shooting up to 6'1" and adding muscle. This added strength has begun to translate into harder contact and gap power by the end of the DSL season. Though he still has a wiry frame, if his bat continues to develop, Padilla could be a game-changing leadoff hitter with Gold Glove potential at short or center field. The Cardinals have been aggressive with similar prospects (like Masyn Winn), so don’t be surprised if Padilla comes stateside quickly. His upside – a true burner with a high ceiling – makes him an intriguing 1st Bowman target for those looking beyond just the marquee names.

Sleeper Prospects to Watch

These five “sleepers” might not be household names yet, but they have significant upside and could become major hobby targets if things break right:

Asbel González, OF, Royals
A switch-hitter signed in 2023 out of Venezuela, González is an up-the-middle athlete who brings elite center field defense and a surprisingly polished bat for a teenager. He hit .306 with a .438 OBP in his first taste of the Complex League, showing a patient approach (14.4% walk rate) and blazing speed with 14 steals in 20 games. At 6'1", he has room to add strength and could grow into a 15-HR power bat down the road. Still only 18, he’s flying under the radar in a rebuilding Royals system. His blend of OBP, speed, and defense could make him a breakout candidate and a sleeper hit in 2025 Bowman.

Conrad Cason, RHP/SS, Red Sox
Boston went way overslot ($1.25M bonus) to sign Cason in the 8th round, and for good reason – he’s a tremendous athlete and a rare two-way talent. A Georgia prep star and Gatorade Player of the Year, Cason clocked up to 98 mph on the mound and also excelled as a hitter in high school. The Red Sox are letting the 18-year-old develop as a two-way player initially. As a pitcher, he has a fastball in the 93-95 mph range that rides up in the zone and a developing breaking ball; as a hitter, he’s a plus runner with quick bat speed and projection for more power. It’s a high-risk, high-reward path – but early reports from instructs are glowing, with Cason impressing coaches both on the mound and at shortstop. If he breaks out in either role, his card could become a hobby sensation.

Rainiel Rodriguez, C, Cardinals
Rainiel was the talk of the DSL in 2024. At just 17, the right-handed catcher put up a video-game stat line in July – a 1.500 OPS with 8 HR in 14 games – earning him Cardinals DSL Player of the Month honors. He finished in the top four of the league in average (.345) and slugging (.683), with his 1.145 OPS being the highest by a DSL catcher in recent memory. At 5'10" and 197 lbs, Rodriguez generates huge power with a quick, leveraged swing – he drilled 13 HR in 52 games overall. Impressively, he walked more than he struck out, showing a mature approach. The Cardinals bumped him stateside for fall instructs, and he kept on mashing. While there’s a long way to go for a teenage catcher, the offensive upside here is enormous. If he can stick behind the plate, Rainiel has All-Star potential, and his autos might be a steal at a fraction of the price early on.

Luis Peña, SS, Brewers
Overshadowed by his fellow Brewers signee Jesús Made, Luis Peña won the DSL batting title in 2024 with a .393 average. The 17-year-old switch-hitter also posted 16 doubles, 6 HR, 39 steals, and a .496 OBP in 44 games, striking out only 15 times against 15 walks. His elite contact skills and outstanding strike-zone judgment have collectors buzzing, even if he isn’t as flashy as Made in terms of loud tools. Peña is a silky smooth shortstop with solid speed and high upside, potentially following a similar trajectory as other international infielders who exploded onto prospect lists after a year or two.

Franyerber Montilla, INF, Tigers
A switch-hitting middle infielder from the Tigers’ 2022 international class, Montilla has steadily built a case as a prospect to watch. In 2023 in the DSL, he posted a .420 OBP with more walks (13.4%) than strikeouts (17.3%), showing an advanced eye. He then “tore up the Complex League” in 2024 by hitting 6 HR, stealing 24 bases, and walking 17.6% of the time in 48 FCL games, earning him a bump to Low-A as a 19-year-old. While he struggled slightly in a small sample at the new level, he maintained a 15% walk rate. Montilla is a slender 6'0" player with room to add strength, already showing sneaky power (ISO around .170 in rookie ball) and plenty of speed (24 SB). A smooth defender, he projects as at least a second baseman if not a shortstop long-term. For collectors, Montilla is a sleeper pick with potential if his development continues on this trajectory.

Honorable Mentions

Sammy Stafura, SS, Reds
2023 2nd-round pick who chose Cincinnati over a Duke commitment. A twitchy shortstop with plus speed and defense, Stafura hit .346 with a 1.031 OPS in the ACL and stole 3 bases in one game in Single-A, flashing his disruptive speed. A name to watch as he heads to full-season ball.

Aron Estrada, 2B, Orioles
A 5'8" switch-hitter from Venezuela who mashed in Low-A at age 19, hitting .318 with 13 HR and a .901 OPS across two levels. Estrada makes heavy contact from both sides of the plate and plays bigger than his size. An under-the-radar Orioles gem who is starting to gain recognition.

Jhonny Severino, SS, Pirates
Signed by Milwaukee for $1.2M in 2022, Severino was traded to Pittsburgh for Carlos Santana. He’s a power-hitting shortstop (still just 19) with a big arm. In 2024, he hit for the cycle in the Florida Complex League. Though there’s some swing-and-miss, his raw tools (power and arm strength) are loud.

Josue Briceño, C/1B, Tigers
A 6'4" left-handed slugger from Miguel Cabrera’s hometown, Briceño burst onto the scene in 2023 by slashing .325/.404/.550 with 7 HR in the FCL. He then transitioned to a 1B/DH role, continued mashing in 2024, and later went to the Arizona Fall League where he won the Triple Crown. One of the fastest rising power bats in the minors.

Quinn Mathews, LHP, Cardinals
Stanford’s workhorse who famously threw 156 pitches in a CWS game. After lasting to the 4th round in 2023, he went on to lead all minor league pitchers with over 200 strikeouts in 2024. A crafty lefty with a plus changeup and fearless mound presence, Mathews is now knocking on the MLB door after reaching Triple-A.

Thomas White, LHP, Marlins
Miami’s other prized prep arm from 2023 (after Noble Meyer). White is a lanky 6'5" southpaw with a mid-90s fastball and a hammer curve. He started 2024 in Low-A and finished in High-A, logging a 2.25 ERA with 42 strikeouts in his final 40 innings. Still just 19, he’s showing the premium stuff (60-grade fastball, 60-grade breaking ball) that made him a 1st-round talent—a big ceiling lefty to round out the wishlist.

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Happy collecting, and may your rips be as exciting as the talent on this list!