The irresistible allure of collecting baseball cards has seen a renaissance of sorts thanks to Fanatics, who’ve breathed fresh air into the hobby once reserved for nostalgic pastimes filled with hot dogs and flannel uniforms. With modern twists such as the MLB Debut Patch and the Social Media Followback redemption, Fanatics is committed to pulling this beloved hobby into the 21st century with panache.
Their latest innovation, Bowman Red Rookie cards, is poised to stir the pot once more. This limited edition release for the 2025 set is not just about the glossy sheen of the card itself or the rookie-sealed aura of potential stardom. These cards come emblazoned with a stylish red RC logo, offering collectors a tantalizing promise: hold onto a card of the player who might nab Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, MVP, or gain Hall of Fame accolades, and you could pocket some enticing rewards courtesy of Fanatics.
Let’s face it, holding onto a card until the Hall of Fame gives the nod might make you feel like the honored “CEO of Fanatics,” as one enthusiastic X user commented. However, for us ordinary collectors living in the here and now, targeting the Rookie of the Year is the gamble that’s more likely to pay off.
Among the crémé de la crémé of this rookie collection is Roki Sasaki, a name buzzing with enough potential to justify every bit of the commotion surrounding him. But here’s the thing: among the plethora of prospects, whose Red Rookie card is worth an eager hunt?
Thanks to a bit of number crunching from Max Arterburn of Prospects Live, we have some clarity amid the cardboard clutter. Our starting lineup is a roster of 30 Red Rookies. Alas, out goes the blanket catch-all strategy as eight of these hopefuls have already dashed ahead of rookie eligibility. Connor Norby, Spencer Schwellenbach, Drew Thorpe, Jhonkensy Noel, David Festa, Ben Rice, James Wood, and Brooks Lee are talented, no doubt, but they’re just a tad too seasoned for 2025’s Rookie of the Year stakes.
This subtracts a considerable chunk, leaving discerning collectors with 22 candidates. Enter injuries to play spoilsport with dreams of rookie greatness. Rhett Lowder, Kumar Rocker, and River Ryan are all sidelined, and even if Lowder and Rocker pull off miraculous recoveries, they’ll need to channel the spirit of Paul Skenes — presumably on a miraculous supper regimen — to even re-enter the race. River Ryan might have a chance next season, so perhaps stow him away for a rainy day.
Of the remaining field, it’s clear many prospects are yet to make significant waves in the majors. The waiting game continues for 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. Promising though they may be, they reside, for now, in the patience-testing realm of developmental potential.
At last, our sights alight on a magnificent seven. However, narrowing down to find the ones likely to reward your Red Rookie enthusiasm isn’t without its hiccups. Luisangel Acuña has potential but little in show-stopping feats to secure his spot. Jace Jung could still surprise the league, but hasn’t done so convincingly yet, while Tomoyuki Sugano’s strikeout capabilities remain a work in progress.
With deliberation (and perhaps a nod from Lady Luck), we pinpoint four Red Rookies with compelling prospects: Jackson Jobe, Jacob Wilson, Roki Sasaki, and Dylan Crews. If your goal is to win that tempting $100 Fanatics prize — and let’s be honest, who wouldn’t fancy that — these are your golden tickets. While speculating about their future enshrinement in Cooperstown may be a beautiful daydream, relying on such for your Red Rookie windfall requires a sainted level of patience.
Each of these four rookies presents a unique story of promise mixed with risk, holding the tantalizing possibility of rookie-year glory. Chase their cards as you indulge in the joyous pursuit of baseball history bound in glossy paper — the tantalizing promise of future success nestled safely within your collection.
