Remember last year when we tipped you off about future Yankees ace Cam Schlittler, before he had any real cards to his name? Well, history has a way of repeating itself in the world of baseball prospecting. Now, there's another pitcher flying under the radar, and this time, his story is even more remarkable.

Let's talk about 2026 Bowman Draft. It might not be the flashiest set on the shelf—"Bowman paper" doesn't exactly scream excitement—but hidden within it is a player whose first card could be a steal. Meet Patrick Copen, a 6'6", 220-pound right-handed starter for the Tulsa Drillers, the Dodgers' Double-A affiliate. At just 22 years old, he's already turning heads with a 3.31 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, and 46 strikeouts over 33⅔ innings this season. He was named Texas League Pitcher of the Month in April, and last year, he fanned 152 batters in 117⅔ innings. Elite strikeout numbers? Check.

But here's where it gets extraordinary. Two seasons ago, Copen was hit in the face by a line drive, permanently blinding him in his right eye. A year later, he was back on the mound, and he hasn't missed a beat. While he admitted to MLB Network that checking runners on second base is tricky, his stats tell a story of resilience and raw talent. The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya wrote a fantastic feature on him, and the narrative gold here is undeniable.

So why isn't anyone talking about him? Simple: collectors haven't done their homework. His prices in breaks and on eBay remain low, giving savvy investors a window. He's not a top prospect on paper, but maybe he should be. Of course, there are caveats—Keith Law projects him as a reliever, and the Dodgers' system is crowded with potential starters. But in baseball, trades happen, and prospects rise. And let's be honest, even the best analysts have been wrong before.

At a dollar a card, Patrick Copen's 2026 Bowman debut might just be the smartest buy you make this year. His story is compelling, his numbers are legit, and the potential payoff? That's the kind of find that makes collecting worth every penny.