Normally I like to wait until all of the 2009 products are released before I start looking to anything from the next year.  The exclusive signing of Steven Strasburg allows Topps to get some real momentum behind their 2010 prospect products.  Their 2009 checklists were lackluster, as they didn’t sign Strausburg in time to include him in a product until next year’s release.  Also held back from last year’s product are big draft picks Donavan Tate and Dustin Ackley, who will both have a Chrome autograph in this release.  Other key prospects in the Bowman series of plain-paper autographs is White Sox top pitching prospect Dan Hutson and Strasburg.

Also in this release is a throwback to where the concept of premium Bowman sets started, the 1992 set.  This is a fun and well thought out insert set that includes many of the popular rookies from the past few years.  It’s a good thing they didn’t stay too close to home on the throwback and picture the players in street clothes.  The last thing this world needs is some of the fashion cheesiness that is prospect cards in ’92 Bowman like the Chipper Jones and that ridiculous get up.

Bowman was as weak in 2009 as it could have possibly been.  The early indication is that Topps saw slow sales and have now taken the proper steps to fix it.  If this early attention to product is any indicator, this should be a great year for prospect cards.