Aaron Judge has quickly become one of the most popular and well-known players in Major League Baseball. As a towering right fielder for the New York Yankees who has smashed numerous home run records, Judge’s cards are highly sought after by collectors. With his breakout 2017 Rookie of the Year season and continued dominance at the plate, here are some of the best Aaron Judge baseball cards to look out for:
2017 Topps Chrome Aaron Judge Rookie Card (#US266) – As Judge’s official rookie card from his record-setting debut season, the 2017 Topps Chrome holds a prestigious place in any baseball card collection. Featuring a sharp photo of Judge at the plate in his Yankees road grey uniform, this refractor parallel version adds extra pop to an already iconic rookie design. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples regularly sell for thousands of dollars online. Even well-centered raw copies still command over $100 due to the card’s historical significance.
2017 Topps Series 2 Aaron Judge Home Run Challenge (#156) – Topps inserted this creative card into Series 2 packs to commemorate Judge’s then-record home run pace as a rookie. It depicts an illustration of Judge towering over miniature versions of Yankee Stadium as he attempts to hit a home run over the wall. Numbered to only /2017 copies, this scarce short print captures Judge’s unprecedented power surge. Low-numbered versions are true pieces of art for superstar collectors.
2017 Topps Allen & Ginter Aaron Judge Mini Card (#86) – As one of the more visually striking designs from Judge’s rookie set, this mini card stands out from the typical baseball template. A close-up portrait of Judge dominates the asymmetrical layout, which features his name and stats engraved on the border. The premium Allen & Ginter brand and small card size make this a definite standout in any collection.
2017 Topps Stadium Club Aaron Judge Autograph (#85) – Stadium Club is renowned for its high-end photography and autograph checklist. This on-card signature of Judge captures him signing an autograph for a fan, adding a personal touch to an already prestigious rookie autograph. Numbered to just /99 copies, it’s a true 1-of-1 for any Aaron Judge PC. Gem Mint 10 examples have sold for over $2,000.
2018 Topps Five Star Aaron Judge Autograph Jersey (#172) – As one of the premier insert sets year after year, Five Star always features some of the rarest hits. This dual-relic card contains a patch of Judge’s game-worn jersey alongside his on-card autograph. Limited to only 10 copies worldwide, it’s one of the most exclusive Judge cards in existence. Numbered 1/10, this is truly a piece of history for super-collectors.
2017 Topps Chrome Aaron Judge Refractor (#US266) – While the base version is iconic, the refractor parallel takes Judge’s rookie card to the next level. Featuring the same sharp photo but with added color pops and refractors, it’s considered the cream of the crop among rookie variations. PSA 10s have sold for over $1,000 given the card’s rarity, aesthetics, and significance in Judge’s career.
2018 Topps Aaron Judge Home Run Challenge (#106) – Topps brought back this creative insert concept for Judge’s sophomore season when he was again among the MLB home run leaders. Depicting Judge towering over a stadium with a home run in mid-flight, it’s a fun artistic take to commemorate his prodigious power. Numbered to only /2018 copies like the year before, it remains a highly collectible short print.
2017 Topps Finest Aaron Judge Base (#71) – As one of the premier brands for on-card autographs and parallels, Finest always includes some of the most visually stunning designs. This base rookie card features sharp photography of Judge and foil embellishments that make it truly pop. While not quite as rare as autograph or parallel versions, it remains one of the best-looking cards from his breakout season.
2018 Topps Chrome Aaron Judge Refractor (#153) – While not quite as significant as his true rookie, Judge’s sophomore Topps Chrome refractor still holds value as one of his earliest flagship parallels. Featuring dynamic action photography of Judge at bat in Yankees pinstripes, it’s considered a must-have for any Aaron Judge PC. Low-numbered examples remain quite affordable compared to other top cards.
As Aaron Judge continues cementing his status as one of baseball’s true superstars, his rookie cards will remain some of the most sought-after modern issues. For collectors looking to start an Aaron Judge PC or add a high-end hit, these represent some of the best options across his early Topps and Topps Chrome issues as well as high-end parallels and autographs. With more productive seasons still ahead, Judge’s cards stand to gain even more significance in the years to come.
