From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there’s a box you’d want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2017 Bowman Chrome MLB (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
Packs per box: 12 (six per mini box)
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 60
Base set completion:
23 of 100 (23 percent)
Duplicates: 0
Prospect set completion:
24 of 100 (24 percent)
Duplicates: 0
Notable players on base cards – Ichiro Suzuki, Kris Bryant, Francisco Lindor, Mookie Betts, Jose Abreu
Rookie Cards (9) – Andrew Benintendi, Yoan Moncada, Orlando Arcia, Hunter Renfroe, Yulieski Gurriel, Jordan Montgomery, Robert Gsellman, Jharel Cotton, Tyler Glasnow
First Bowman Cards (8) – Chris Paddack, Austin Hays, Miguelangel Sierra, Tomas Nido, Jorge Ona, Jameson Fisher, Jazz Chisholm, Luis Alexander Basabe
Insert cards: 35 (all non-prospect inserts in gallery with some prospects & base)
Prospects (24) – First-timers listed above
Prospect Refractors (1) – Braden Bishop (/499)
Prospect Purple Shimmer Refractors (1) – Sixto Sanchez
Purple Refractors (1) – Carson Fulmer (/250)
Prospect Purple Refractors (1) – Scott Kingery (/250)
Arizona Fall League (2) – Gleyber Torres, Greg Bird
Refractors That Never Were (1) – Warren Spahn (/499)
Bowman Scouts’ Top 100 (4) – Stephen Gonsalves, Isan Diaz, Thomas Szapucki, Mike Soroka
Autographs/Memorabilia: 2
Chrome Prospect Autos (2) – Jazz Chisholm, Wander Javier
What’s Buzz-worthy: A new wax format with just two choices for this hobby-only release consists of three-auto boxes or this mini-box format for hobby. It results in fewer base cards but concentrates these cards into ink-only breaks or breaks like this, which give you most of what you’d expect but in a smaller and in theory more-affordable format. If you buy by the mini box, you’re guaranteed an auto every time. Was this the flashiest break? Not really, but the throwbacks are a tougher pull at one in 179 packs and some color helped. If you’re a Chromie, then this one is probably on your list months in advance, but for those who don’t order early and often this one offers a pretty good approach with the new formats. There are a number of autographs that are in-demand in this one, while this box wasn’t that flashy. That will happen with prospect brands. The good news is that while a box may not be a big-money break now, there’s a good chance that players can pan out over time. Bowman’s been doing that for years.
Product Grade: A-
Box Grade: B
Fun Grade: B
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