Is there anything more fun than following baseball prospects from prep to pros? Prospects ignite that inner child in us, who only made it as far as junior varsity – or is that just us?
Most baseball prospects don’t have a lot of pro baseball cards, so it’s easy to get started. Depending on the public awareness of a prospect, you can even save some money by collecting them now. Bowman Prospects is a must-have, with several inserts to go with their base, chrome and parallels. Panini, which doesn’t have an MLB license, also has a lot of amateur offerings.
Here are three exciting prospects you’ll be seeing in MLB in 2024 and should start collecting now.
Jackson Holliday, Orioles (SS)
Prospect Bio
No surprise here – the former #1 overall pick is one of the top baseball prospects in 2023. Did we mention he made it to AAA at only 19? There were rumblings that he would earn a September call-up in 2023 and, although that didn’t happen, it’s fairly guaranteed that he’ll make the Bigs in 2024 as the Orioles starting shortstop.
Scouting Report
Holliday profiles as a player that could stick at shortstop, or move to second base. He has a technically- sound swing that hit 12 homers in his first full league in the minors, to go with a whopping .442 OBP. He is also nimble in the field, with a reliable glove.
Best Cards
Holliday’s rookie card is the 2022 Bowman Draft Paper & Chrome #BD-168/BDC-168, which comes in numerous parallels, including refractors and an autographed version. Outside of Bowman’s offerings, Panini has several autograph and relic cards of Holliday.
Our Pick: 2023 Bowman Chrome Prime Signatures #PCS-JH
Paul Skenes, Pirates (RHP)
Prospect Bio
Skenes is a unique player who many believed would skip the minors entirely. Ultimately, he got five starts in 2023, but it’s possible that’s all the Pirates need to see before putting him in the 2024 rotation. (After Mitch Keller, there isn’t a lot of excitement in that pitching staff.)
Scouting Report
Skenes is a power pitcher with a rare 80 (out of 80) scouting rating for his fastball. He’s a 6’6″ tall strike thrower who can hit 100+ mph with relative ease. His slider and change-up are his other best pitches, after that insane heater.
Best Cards
Because he only played one month in the minors in September, Skenes won’t have a Bowman baseball card until 2024. Those looking to pick up some of his cards now can find autographed cards from Onyx, and Panini USA Stars & Stripes cards that include base, relic and autograph variations. And… that’s pretty much it.
Our Pick: 2023 Altoona Curve Team Set Update
Jackson Chourio, Brewers (CF)
Prospect Bio
Another upstart 19-year-old named Jackson, Chourio came to the Brewers organization in 2021 as an international free agent. He’s steadily climbed the minor league ranks, from the Dominican Summer League in 2021, three levels in 2022 (A, A+, AA) and, finally, to AAA in 2023. In six games at AAA he hit .333.
Scouting Report
Jackson Chourio is a speedy outfielder who moves well in CF, and his speed also makes him a threat on the basepaths. He’s a solid hitter who can hit the ball to all fields and he’s a four-tool player who is only missing a power arm.
Best Cards
Like Holliday, Chourio’s rookie card is in the 2022 Bowman set (#BP-79/BCP-79), which has many refractors, serial numbered cards and autographs to choose from. For those who like relics, Chourio has some nice-looking patch cards from 2023 Panini Immaculate, which can be pulled or redeemed via a special insert.
Our Pick: 2023 Bowman Chrome Prospects Blue Shimmer refractor #BCP-76
