The checklist for 2022 Bowman Inception is impressive, with 27 prospects in this release cracking Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects list.
It’s certainly top-heavy, with impressive prospects like Brewers’ outfielder Jackson Chourio (No. 3), Cardinals’ outfielder Jordan Walker (No. 4), and Reds’ shortstop Elly De La Cruz (No. 8) carrying the checklist. These are the players every investor will be looking to pull, and they were easy decisions to place in Tier 1.
I broke down the 100-card checklist into four tiers. There’s a lot of talent in 2022 Bowman Inception, so there are many worthy pulls in Tier 2 and even in Tier 3 if everything goes well. Here is the tiered breakdown you’ll see below:
Tier 1: Prospects worth ripping for in 2022 Bowman Inception
Tier 2: Prospects I’m cautiously optimistic about in 2022 Bowman Inception
Tier 3: Prospects with a higher risk than potential investment reward in 2022 Bowman Inception
Tier 4: Prospects with little to no investment value in 2022 Bowman Inception
A prospect’s tools and overall scouting grades are listed when available. As a reminder, Baseball America’s grades are on a 20-80 scale. 20 is as bad as it gets, 50 is average, and 80 is as good as it gets. The prospects you want to invest in generally have tools with a 60 (plus) or 70 (plus-plus) grade.
2022 Bowman Inception
Tier 1: Prospects worth ripping for in 2022 Bowman Inception
Jackson Chourio, OF in Milwaukee Brewers organization (Card #77)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #3 prospect in 2023
Milwaukee Brewers #1 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 70 | Speed: 70 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50 | Overall: 70
Jackson Chourio had an incredible season at Single-A in 2022, slashing .288/.342/.538 with 20 home runs and 16 stolen bases. He has the power and speed combination that fans and investors love, both ranked as plus-plus (70) tools by Baseball America. He’ll turn 19 years old in a few days, but it’s not out of the question that we could see him in a Milwaukee Brewers uniform this season.
Chourio looks like a franchise cornerstone with a chance to be Milwaukee’s version of Ronald Acuña Jr.
Baseball America
Jordan Walker, 3B/OF in St. Louis Cardinals organization (Card #79)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #4 prospect in 2023
St. Louis Cardinals #1 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 70 | Speed: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60 | Overall: 70
Jordan Walker was due for his big-league debut sometime in 2023, but he’s impressed everyone during spring training (9-for-18 with three home runs and three doubles) so much so that he might make the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2023 Opening Day roster. He looked fantastic in Double-A last season, slashing .306/.388/.510 with 19 home runs and 22 stolen bases. Walker is an imposing player with incredible athleticism. He’s an easy player to fall in love with as a fan and investor.
Few players flash upside as immense as Walker’s…Equipped with plus power and average or better plate skills, Walker could develop into a perennial all-star.
Baseball America
Andrew Painter, P in Philadelphia Phillies organization (Card #62)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #5 prospect in 2023
Philadelphia Phillies #1 prospect in 2023
Grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 70 | Overall: 70
At 6-foot-7, Andrew Painter is a daunting figure on the mound. He’s been the talk of Phillies’ camp this spring, with players and coaches amazed with the 19-year-old’s maturity and polish. He’s the rare pitcher that forces his way into investment tier one. My only hesitation was the news that Painter had “tenderness” in his elbow after pitching on Friday. Painter had an opportunity to grab the last spot in the Phillies’ rotation, but now that may be in jeopardy. I’m really crossing my fingers that there’s no significant injury here because Painter has a chance to be really special.
I believe this kid’s going to be a star.
Carlos Correa after facing Andrew Painter, via SI
Elly De La Cruz, SS in Cincinnati Reds organization (Card #100)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #8 prospect in 2023
Cincinnati Reds #1 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 70 | Speed: 70 | Field: 55 | Arm: 70 | Overall: 70
It’s not often you see a player with three tools graded as plus-plus (70), Elly De La Cruz is one of them. His power, speed, and arm rank at the top of prospect charts and make him a favorite of investors. He’s easily a 20 home runs/20 steals player, but likely closer to 30/30. In 2022 at Single- and Double-A, he combined for 28 homers and 47 stolen bases. He had comparable lines at both levels, slashing a combined .304/.359/.586.
De La Cruz is the highest-ceiling prospect the Reds have had in years. His combination of athleticism, power and speed gives him a chance to be a big league star, but his strikeout rate could keep him from reaching that ceiling. Up through Double-A, his chase rates and swing-and-miss issues haven’t slowed him down, but he will have to improve them to be a consistent hitter in the major leagues.
Baseball America
Marcelo Mayer, SS in Boston Red Sox organization (Card #19)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #10 prospect in 2023
Boston Red Sox #1 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Speed: 40 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60 | Overall: 65
Marcelo Mayer is still a bit away from the big leagues, but he’s been impressive during his first two minor league seasons. He has the ability to hit for average and power, racking up doubles and home runs as an above-average defensive shortstop. Although he doesn’t have pure speed, he has good instincts and stole 17 bases in 2022. His tools aren’t as flashy as Chourio, Walker, and De La Cruz, but Mayer has a chance to be a star in the big leagues.
His first full pro season reinforced the sense that he’s a potential cornerstone player. ‘From what I’ve seen, he’s going to be a superstar,’ Salem hitting coach Nelson Paulino said.
Baseball America
James Wood, OF in Washington Nationals organization (Card #10)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #11 prospect in 2023
Washington Nationals #1 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 65 | Speed: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55 | Overall: 65
James Wood was one of the prospects the Nationals received in the Juan Soto trade. He has tremendous power and bat speed, and an advanced hit tool that plays well against off-speed and breaking pitches. He crushed Single-A pitchers in 2022, hitting .313/.420/.536 with 27 doubles, 12 home runs, and 20 stolen bases.
Wood has a chance to be a game-changing power hitter in the middle of the Nationals’ order for years to come. If he can stick with the adjustments made to his stance and flatten out his bat path, he has the upside to hit 30-35 home runs.
Baseball America
Jordan Lawlar, SS in Arizona Diamondbacks organization (Card #64)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #13 prospect in 2023
Arizona Diamondbacks #3 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Speed: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60 | Overall: 65
Jordan Lawlar is part of an incredible Diamondbacks farm system that also includes Corbin Carroll, Gabriel Moreno, Druw Jones. He has three plus (60) tools, hit, speed, and arm, and his power and fielding abilities grade out as above average. Lawlar started 2022 at rookie ball and got as high as Double-A, hitting a combined 16 home runs and stealing 39 bags. His line was an impressive .303/.401/.509, and he’ll likely start the 2023 in Double-A.
Lawlar may have as much upside as anyone in the organization, looking like a potential middle-of-the-lineup, middle-of-the-diamond star not unlike Carlos Correa.
Baseball America
Anthony Volpe, SS in New York Yankees organization (Card #69)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #14 prospect in 2023
New York Yankees #1 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Speed: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 45 | Overall: 65
Anthony Volpe is battling it out with fellow Yankees prospect Oswald Peraza for the team’s starting shortstop role in 2023. The franchise loves Volpe and Peraza so much that they didn’t feel the need to pursue the big four free agent shortstops (Trea Turner, Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts, Dansby Swanson) this offseason. Volpe is the better hitter, with extraordinary hit and power tools. He also stole an eye popping 50 bases in 2022, making him a well-rounded offensive player than investors love.
Volpe is the purest hitter in the Yankees’ system, a title he comes by through an extremely mature approach that allows him to pick through pitches he doesn’t want until he gets something he can impact. Then he unleashes a powerful yet compact swing that produces hard line drives thanks to a swing path that keeps the barrel in the zone for a long time.
Baseball America
Diego Cartaya, C in Los Angeles Dodgers organization (Card #42)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #18 prospect in 2023
Los Angeles Dodgers #1 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 70 | Speed: 30 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60 | Overall: 65
Diego Cartaya is the Dodgers’ crown jewel. Combined with his immense power, his advanced approach at the plate has turned him into the team’s top prospect. He’s struggled with his share of injuries and learning the catching position, but power is Cartaya’s calling card and it’ll play wherever he winds up defensively.
With Will Smith entrenched as the Dodgers’ catcher, Cartaya has time to improve his defense without being rushed. He projects to be a middle-of-the-order force in the Dodgers’ lineup no matter his ultimate position.
Baseball America
Tier 2: Prospects I’m cautiously optimistic about in 2022 Bowman Inception
Jackson Merrill, SS in San Diego Padres organization (Card #43)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #21 prospect in 2023
San Diego Padres #1 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Speed: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55 | Overall: 60
Sal Frelick, OF in Milwaukee Brewers organization (Card #21)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #33 prospect in 2023
Milwaukee Brewers #2 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 70 | Power: 40 | Speed: 70 | Field: 50 | Arm: 45 | Overall: 55
Curtis Mead, 2B/3B in Tampa Bay Rays organization (Card #66)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #35 prospect in 2023
Tampa Bay Rays #2 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 70 | Power: 60 | Speed: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 40 | Overall: 55
Marco Luciano, SS in San Francisco Giants organization (Card #94)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #36 prospect in 2023
San Francisco Giants #1 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Speed: 40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60 | Overall: 60
Colson Montgomery, SS in Chicago White Sox organization (Card #63)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #38 prospect in 2023
Chicago White Sox #1 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Speed: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55 | Overall: 60
Zac Veen, OF in Colorado Rockies organization (Card #27)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #51 prospect in 2023
Colorado Rockies #2 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Speed: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50 | Overall: 55
Robert Hassell, OF in Washington Nationals organization (Card #32)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #57 prospect in 2023
Washington Nationals #2 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Speed: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55 | Overall: 60
Jasson Dominguez, OF in New York Yankees organization (Card #28)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #67 prospect in 2023
New York Yankees #3 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Speed: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55 | Overall: 55
George Valera, OF in Cleveland Guardians organization (Card #90)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #72 prospect in 2023
Cleveland Guardians #4 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Speed: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50 | Overall: 55
Henry Davis, C in Pittsburgh Pirates organization (Card #59)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #73 prospect in 2023
Pittsburgh Pirates #3 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Speed: 45 | Field: 40 | Arm: 60 | Overall: 55
Cristhian Vaquero, OF in Washington Nationals organization (Card #5)
According to Baseball America:
Washington Nationals #6 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Speed: 70 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60 | Overall: 55
Cristian Hernandez, SS in Chicago Cubs organization (Card #93)
According to Baseball America:
Chicago Cubs #7 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Speed: 40 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60 | Overall: 55
Tier 3: Prospects with a higher risk than potential investment reward in 2022 Bowman Inception
Colton Cowser, OF in Baltimore Orioles organization (Card #36)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #41 prospect in 2023
Baltimore Orioles #4 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Speed: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55 | Overall: 55
Taj Bradley, P in Tampa Bay Rays organization (Card #13)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #44 prospect in 2023
Tampa Bay Rays #3 prospect in 2023
Grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 40 | Cutter: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 60 | Overall: 55
Carson Williams, SS in Tampa Bay Rays organization (Card #74)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #52 prospect in 2023
Tampa Bay Rays #4 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Speed: 55 | Field: 60 | Arm: 70 | Overall: 55
Kyle Manzardo, 1B in Tampa Bay Rays organization (Card #89)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #60 prospect in 2023
Tampa Bay Rays #5 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 70 | Power: 55 | Speed: 20 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50 | Overall: 55
Noelvi Marte, SS/3B in Cincinnati Reds organization (Card #73)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #63 prospect in 2023
Cincinnati Reds #2 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 65 | Speed: 50 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50 | Overall: 55
Harry Ford, C in Seattle Mariners organization (Card #41)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #64 prospect in 2023
Seattle Mariners #1 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Speed: 60 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60 | Overall: 55
Jackson Jobe, P in Detroit Tigers organization (Card #49)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #83 prospect in 2023
Detroit Tigers #1 prospect in 2023
Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 55 | Overall: 60
Oscar Colas, OF in Chicago White Sox organization (Card #60)
According to Baseball America:
MLB #89 prospect in 2023
Chicago White Sox #2 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Speed: 40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60 | Overall: 50
Yiddi Cappe, SS in Miami Marlins organization (Card #2)
According to Baseball America:
Miami Marlins #4 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Speed: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60 | Overall: 50
Roderick Arias, SS in New York Yankees organization (Card #4)
According to Baseball America:
New York Yankees #13 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Speed: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 80 | Overall: 55
Max Muncy, SS in Oakland Athletics organization (Card #8)
According to Baseball America:
Oakland Athletics #6 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Speed: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50 | Overall: 50
Kahlil Watson, SS in Miami Marlins organization (Card #15)
According to Baseball America:
Miami Marlins #15 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Speed: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60 | Overall: 50
Benny Montgomery, OF in Colorado Rockies (Card #37)
According to Baseball America:
Colorado Rockies #6 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Speed: 70 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60 | Overall: 55
Jonathan Mejia, SS in St. Louis Cardinals organization (Card #39)
According to Baseball America:
St. Louis Cardinals #10 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Speed: 45 | Field: 40 | Arm: 50 | Overall: 50
Joshua Baez, OF in St. Louis Cardinals organization (Card #44)
According to Baseball America:
St. Louis Cardinals #13 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 30 | Power: 70 | Speed: 45 | Field: 50 | Arm: 70 | Overall: 50
Cristian Santana, SS in Detroit Tigers organization (Card #46)
According to Baseball America:
Detroit Tigers #13 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Speed: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50 | Overall: 50
Denzer Guzman, SS in Los Angeles Angels organization (Card #48)
According to Baseball America:
Los Angeles Angels #6 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Speed: 45 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55 | Overall: 55
Anthony Gutierrez, OF in Texas Rangers organization (Card #87)
According to Baseball America:
Texas Rangers #5 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Speed: 55 | Field: 60 | Arm: 55 | Overall: 60
Willy Vasquez, OF in Tampa Bay Rays organization (Card #91)
According to Baseball America:
Tampa Bay Rays #15 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Speed: 50 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60 | Overall: 50
Blaze Jordan, 1B in Boston Red Sox organization (Card #92)
According to Baseball America:
Boston Red Sox #14 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 65 | Speed: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60 | Overall: 45
Yasser Mercedes, OF in Minnesota Twins organization (Card #99)
According to Baseball America:
Minnesota Twins #13 prospect in 2023
Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Speed: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50 | Overall: 55
Tier 4: Prospects with little to no investment value in 2022 Bowman Inception
Chase Petty, SP in Cincinnati Reds organization (Card #1)
Matt McLain, SS in Cincinnati Reds organization (Card #3)
Alexis Hernandez, SS in Chicago Cubs organization (Card #6)
Eddys Leonard, 3B in Los Angeles Dodgers organization (Card #7)
Lonnie White Jr., OF in Pittsburgh Pirates organization (Card #9)
Martin Gimenez, SS in Toronto Blue Jays organization (Card #11)
Diego Velasquez, SS in San Francisco Giants organization (Card #2)
Roberto Campos, OF in Detroit Tigers organization (Card #14)
William Bergolla, SS in Philadelphia Phillies organization (Card #15)
Armando Cruz, SS in Washington Nationals organization (Card #17)
Darell Hernaiz, SS in Baltimore Orioles organization (Card #18)
Wilfred Veras, 1B in Chicago White Sox organization (Card #20)
Eddinson Paulino, 3B in Boston Red Sox organization (Card #22)
James Triantos, 2B in Chicago Cubs organization (Card #23)
Felix Valerio, 2B in Milwaukee Brewers organization (Card #24)
Victor Acosta, SS in San Diego Padres organization (Card #25)
Jay Allen, OF in Cincinnati Reds organization (Card #26)
Alex De Jesus, 3B in Los Angeles Dodgers organization (Card #29)
Pedro Pineda, OF in Oakland Athletics organization (Card #30)
Cesar Prieto, 2B in Baltimore Orioles organization (Card #31)
Dauri Lorenzo, SS in Houston Astros organization (Card #33)
Ryan Bliss, 2B in Arizona Diamondbacks organization (Card #34)
Ryan Reckley, SS in San Francisco Giants organization (Card #35)
Ricardo Cabrera, 2B in Cincinnati Reds organization (Card #38)
Danny De Andrade, SS in Minnesota Twins organization (Card #40)
Bryan Acuña, SS in Minnesota Twins organization (Card #45)
Warming Bernabel, 3B in Colorado Rockies organization (Card #47)
Jordan Viars, OF in Philadelphia Phillies organization (Card #50)
Jonatan Clase, OF in Seattle Mariners organization (Card #51)
Trey Sweeney, 3B in New York Yankees organization (Card #52)
Daniel Vasquez, SS in Kansas City Royals organization (Card #53)
Wilman Diaz, SS in Los Angeles Dodgers organization (Card #54)
Yendry Rojas, 3B in San Diego Padres organization (Card #55)
Wes Kath, 3B in Chicago White Sox organization (Card #56)
Norge Vera, P in Chicago White Sox organization (Card #57)
Hedbert Perez, OF in Milwaukee Brewers organization (Card #58)
Won-Bin Cho, OF in St. Louis Cardinals organization (Card #61)
Jhonkensy Noel, 1B in Cleveland Guardians organization (Card #65)
Maikol Hernandez, SS in Baltimore Orioles organization (Card #67)
Jose Ramos, OF in Los Angeles Dodgers organization (Card #68)
Yordany De Los Santos, 3B in Pittsburgh Pirates organization (Card #70)
Gunnar Hoglund, P in Oakland Athletics organization (Card #71)
Samuel Munoz, 1B in Los Angeles Dodgers organization (Card #72)
Ethan Wilson, OF in Philadelphia Phillies organization (Card #75)
Allan Cerda, OF in Cincinnati Reds organization (Card #76)
Yeison Morrobel, OF in Texas Rangers organization (Card #78)
Ian Lewis, 2B in Miami Marlins organization (Card #80)
Cooper Kinney, 3B in Tampa Bay Rays organization (Card #81)
Danyer Cueva, SS in Texas Rangers organization (Card #82)
Simon Juan, OF in New York Mets organization (Card #83)
Luis Meza, C in Toronto Blue Jays organization (Card #84)
Yhoswar Garcia, OF in Philadelphia Phillies organization (Card #85)
Benyamin Bailey, OF in Chicago White Sox organization (Card #86)
Roismar Quintana, OF in Washington Nationals organization (Card #88)
Hendry Mendez, OF in Milwaukee Brewers organization (Card #95)
Tyler Whitaker, OF in Houston Astros organization (Card #96)
Dustin Harris, 1B in Texas Rangers organization (Card #97)
Aeverson Arteaga, SS in San Francisco Giants organization (Card #98)
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