Opening a 2022 Bowman Blaster box
A bit risky but hopefully worth something
We’re getting deeper into my shopping list, a series of boxes I strongly considered in advance to buy. One angle I examined are boxes that are losing value. I’m hoping to see a bounce back up again from those same boxes. Kinda speculative but for this box, at least we know the fates of some of the key players and grown-up prospects.
I haven’t sold any of the lots I created from the boxes I’ve recently opened. But I’m working on getting more promo for my Ebay page and maybe needing to change up the wait. I have a lot of buy it now cards but auctioning may be best for most of the lots. That is the point of this series, to resell cards from the 7 boxes I’m opening.
This here is a 2022 Bowman Chrome baseball blaster box. Cost to me was $38 with shipping. That’s .53 per card. Average cost per card on the market is about $1. That’s it. Market price for the blaster is $33, tho a mega is $40. Maybe I shoulda went for the larger box. 6 packs, 12 cards in each.
Top cards above par among the raw: Raleigh, Shohei, Acuna, Ketel, Gallo, Winker, Baz, Strider, Lindor, Stanton, Goldschmidt, Betts, Ryan, Duran.
Fairly decent set, the usual array of parallels and autos here. And some sweet Bowman Chromes!
Let’s get it!
Pack 1 of 6
Juan Yepez RC. He’s appeared in the Venezuelan and Mexican Leagues nearly 2 years after his last part-time role with the Nationals. Released by the Blue Jays in March.
Gavin Sheets RC Remains with the Padres, now in his 6th season in MLB.
Matt Manning RC Once a highly regarded prospect, last appeared for AA Reading for the Phillies last season.
Hi-Fi Futures card of Julio.
Here are some Paper Prospects:
Eduardo Lopez, 1st Hasn’t gotten past High-A ball following 4 years within the Red Sox franchise and all of 2025 for the Phillies organization.
Jorbit Vivas, 1st Finally broke through with the Yankees in a part time role in 2025, and this season also part-time with the Nationals.
Reginald Preciado, 1st With the Cubs franchise since 2021, has not progressed beyond High A
In the Chrome:
Jonathan Clase, part-timer in 2025 for Seattle, likewise last season for Toronto. Started this season in AAA Buffalo for the Blue Jays. Looks like a kid (small k)
Junior Sanchez 1st, was out of baseball after 2024, released by the Marlins.
Also appearing: Miguel Cabrera, Ke’Bryan Heyes, Randy Arozarena
Pack 2
Joe Ryan RC With the Twins since 2021, became an All-Star in 2025. Already with 9 starts this season.
Josiah Gray RC was an All-Star in 2023. Still with the Nationals but barely hanging on.
Rodolfo Castro RC currently plays in the Nippon League after a few years with the Phillies and Pirates.
Connor Wong RC remains with Boston as a contributor, where he first broke into MLB in 2021.
Jobe in the Bowman Scouts Top 100 Chrome Insert. Nice card, tho not a big price tag.
Paper Prospects:
Adley Rutschmann is a 2-time All-Star and single Silver Slugger winner.
Jheremy Vargas, 1st. Hasn’t made it to MLB yet but has reached AAA for the first time after being within the Milwaukee franchise since 2021.
Curtis Mead 1st Remains a part-timer after 4 years among 3 teams.
Braylin Minier, Chrome and 1st Out of baseball after 2022
Edgar Quero, Chrome and 1st In his 2nd full year as a catcher for the White Sox
Also appearing: Pete Alonso, Andrew Benintendi
Pack 3
Colton Welker RC Out of baseball since 2024
Rookie Of The Year Favorites card of Jackson Kowar, RC. 3 seasons with the Royals before a 2024 injury sidelined him for that season. Resurfaced in 2025 for Seattle, and remains in AAA Norfolk for the Orioles.
Paper Prospects:
Darren Baker 1st After his sole 2024 season with Washington, he has remained at AAA, now with the White Sox organization, in Charlotte.
Tyler Soderstrom is now a full-time player for the Athletics at LF, 1B and C.
Estiven Machado, 1st Out of baseball after 2024.
Diego Velasquez Chrome and 1st. Still with the Giants franchise since 2021, hasn’t gotten past AA
Victor Lizarraga Chrome and 1st. At AA San Antonio for the Padres; was at AAA briefly last season.
Also: Jose Ramirez, Pujols, Jazz, Soler, Ketel
Pack 4
Josh Lowe RC Solid full-timer for the Rays is now with the Angels of Anaheim. Wonder what’s going on with Josh in this photo.
A groovy Virtuosic Vibrations card of Sal Frelick.
Paper Prospects:
Frelick again, a Gold Glover at RF.
Zayed Salinas, 1st. No action beyond Class A.
Adrian Sugastey, 1st Remains at AA Richmond for the Giants.
Chrome:
Allen Cerda, 1st No appearances in the minors this year but was with the Reds since signed in 2018, and got as far as AA. Played with AA Wichita for Minnesota and the Mexican League last year.
Roberto Campos, 1st, 149/499 Remains with the Tigers franchise since since 2021, getting as far as AA last season, currently at High-A West Michigan.
Also in this mix: Nelson Cruz, Scherzer, Kris Bryant, Josh Donaldson, Jarred Kelenic
Pack 5
Jarren Duran RC, successful career thus far for Boston since 2021 with an All-Star appearance and MVP candidate in 2024. Twice led the league in triples. And is about to bust out of this cardboard.
Kyle Muller RC Played in MLB until 2024, now in his 2nd year within Japanese baseball.
Spencer Strider RC Remains strong for the Braves. 2022 Rookie of the Year candidate, 2023 All-Star and Cy Young candidate.
Paper Prospects:
Julio! This is the top Paper Prospects card based on raw value sales, at $4.
Izaac Pacheco is still with the Tigers org, but hasn’t gotten past AA Erie, where he is currently.
Dariel Lopez 1st Out of baseball since 2023.
#39 of the Bowman Scouts Top 100, Oniel Cruz!
Chrome:
Emmanuel Rodriguez is still on the verge, a highly touted prospect who has reached AAA St. Paul a few timers and starts this year there.
Diego Cartaya. After years with the Dodgers franchise, he later joined the Twins and is now with the rival Giants. Still hasn’t made it to the majors. He started this season in High A Eugene.
Also here in base: Shohei, Yordan Alvarez, JD Martinez
Final pack!
Brandon Marsh RC remains a solid player since breaking through in 2021 with the Angels and now with the Phillies. In fact, he’s currently the league leader in BA with .343.
Seth Beer RC was at least in AAA from 2021 to 2024, and is currently in the Mexican League.
Paper Prospects:
Dauri Lorenzo, 1st Out of baseball after 2023.
Campos again, 1st
Zac Veen briefly appeared for the Rockies at the MLB level in 2025 but has remained otherwise in the organization since 2021. Started 2026 at AAA Albuquerque
Chrome:
Luis Matos has stayed between AA and MLB since 2023. This year he’s been part-time for the Brewers. No full-time status attained yet.
Rikelvin De Castro was out of baseball after 2023.
Base cards included Gerrit Cole, Marcus Semien, Jose Barrero, Juan Soto, Freddie Freeman
That’s a wrap for this box! Not terrible, but nothing huge outside of the parallel or the Julio cards. Best of the rest was Shohei, Acuna Jr and Ketel. Spencer Strider best among the notable RCs.