The world of baseball card collecting, filled with nostalgia and anticipation, is witnessing a delightful infusion of novelty courtesy of Fanatics. This conglomerate, intent on rejuvenating a timeless hobby synonymous with popcorn, flannel uniforms, and nostalgic charm, is bending the rules by introducing innovations like the MLB Debut Patch and the ever-so-modern Social Media Followback redemption. These 21st-century twists have added a contemporary flair to the timeless allure of card collecting.
Fast forward to 2025, and Fanatics is rolling the dice with its latest innovation—introducing the Bowman Red Rookie series. Here’s the enticing twist: a select few rookies in the 2025 Bowman lineup will be crowned with a flamboyant red RC logo. Launching in November, these cards offer collectors not just a taste of nostalgia but a chance to unlock some pretty exciting prizes. There’s a classic catch, though—the star on the card needs to win prestigious accolades like Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, or MVP, or perhaps even receive the coveted call from Cooperstown.
One must acknowledge the charm of holding a card until the Hall of Fame induction comes calling, a feat humorously likened by one very ardent X user to becoming “the CEO of Fanatics.” But, realistically speaking, aiming for the Rookie of the Year prize is the most tangible goal.
Among the big names commanding attention in this program is Roki Sasaki, often hailed for his remarkable potential that justifies the mounting buzz. However, the central question remains—which 2025 Bowman Red Rookies should enthusiasts eagerly pursue when the collection hits the shelves next week?
Thankfully, Max Arterburn from Prospects Live has done the heavy lifting. Armed with a 30-player Red Rookie checklist, he employed a process-of-elimination strategy paired with keen insight.
First off, it’s crucial to acknowledge that eight players are already eliminated from the 2025 ROY race—they surpassed rookie eligibility last year thanks to excessive at-bats, innings, or simply by spending too many days on the roster. So, the likes of Connor Norby, Spencer Schwellenbach, Drew Thorpe, Jhonkensy Noel, David Festa, Ben Rice, James Wood, and Brooks Lee can be set aside.
That narrows down the pool to 22 contenders. But baseball is unpredictable, and the spectre of injuries looms large. Rhett Lowder, Kumar Rocker, and River Ryan are currently off the field, either sidelined by medical setbacks or simply not in the lineup. Even if Lowder and Rocker make a miraculous comeback, their performance would need to be nothing short of superhuman to regain the ground they’ve lost. As for River Ryan, one can remain hopeful for another chance next season, though the odds don’t seem favourable at the moment.
Next in line are twelve other prospects who have struggled to make their mark in the major league arena, either due to ongoing development in the minors or simply a lack of significant impact. Consequently, names like 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 are off the board.
With a narrowed list, we arrive at seven potential hopefuls. Yet, even these aren’t free from critiques. Luisangel Acuña hasn’t cemented his spot and, quite frankly, lacks the fireworks; Jace Jung showcases potential but hasn’t been a standout; Tomoyuki Sugano might benefit from a boost in his strikeout rate.
Therefore, through this meticulous elimination (and a healthy dose of common sense), we’re left with the four Bowman Red Rookies who genuinely merit attention: Jackson Jobe, Jacob Wilson, Roki Sasaki, and Dylan Crews.
For those eyeing that alluring $100 Fanatics bounty—and let’s admit it, who isn’t intrigued by a tidy cash prize—these four stars present the best odds of a payoff. Indeed, some might journey all the way to Cooperstown, etching their legacy, but banking on that for your Red Rookie yield requires an abundance of patience. As they say in the world of collecting, patience isn’t just a virtue—it’s an investment strategy.
