Aaron Judge exploded onto the MLB scene in 2017 with a historic rookie campaign for the New York Yankees that saw him set a new rookie home run record. Naturally, collectors went wild seeking out Aaron Judge rookie cards, knowing they had their hands on cards featuring one of the game’s next great sluggers very early in his career.
Judge’s rookie season was one for the ages as he belted 52 home runs, tallied 114 RBI and posted an OPS of 1.049. That power display immediately thrust him into superstar status and put a spotlight on his rookie cards as highly valuable pieces of baseball memorabilia. While there were several Judge rookie cards released throughout 2016 and 2017 in various card sets, two stand out as the true prized Aaron Judge rookie cards – his 2016 Topps Series 1 Chrome card and 2017 Topps Series 1 card.
2016 Topps Series 1 Chrome Aaron Judge Rookie Card
Topps secured the rookie card rights to Judge with their 2016 baseball card releases that began coming out in late 2015 and early 2016. While Judge had debuted with the Yankees in 2016 and appeared in rookie card form in various sets that year, his most sought after and valuable issue is considered his chrome parallel from Topps Series 1. The Chrome parallel was a refractive and eye-catching parallel insert featured in Series 1 hobby boxes.
The Chrome Aaron Judge rookies immediately caught the attention of collectors and began appreciating in value given his growing hype headed into 2017. While still obtainable at reasonable prices in the months after his debut, Judge’s breakout 52 home run season the following year kicked his Chrome rookie card value into overdrive. PSA 10 examples now routinely sell for well over $1,000 raw and $3,000+ graded. It’s considered the true unicorn among Judge rookie cards given the chrome parallel’s low print run compared to his standard base rookie options.
2017 Topps Series 1 Aaron Judge Rookie Card
As the official flagship rookie card issued after his electrifying rookie season, Judge’s coveted 2017 Topps Series 1 rookie has become the crown jewel among his entire rookie card portfolio. Topps packed the anticipated rookie into Series 1 hobby boxes alongside other rising young talents like Corey Seager and Kris Bryant on their cards. Now symbolizing Judge’s true arrival and emergence as a future star, the 2017 Topps issue took on an entirely new level of significance.
While Judge had several prominent rookie cards from 2016, it was this 2017 Topps issue representing his first full big league season that cemented itself as the one to own. Pricing for the 2017 Topps Judge rookie jumped exponentially following his MVP caliber 2017 campaign. PSA 10 examples now command prices well over $1,000 ungraded and reach the $3,000-$5,000 range or more for top condition slabs. Lower graded copies are still six figures or more reflecting the rarity and historical place this rookie now holds as documenting the start of a potential Hall of Fame career.
Investing In Aaron Judge Rookie Cards
For investors and collectors hopeful of profiting off an Aaron Judge rookie card investment, both his Chrome and flagship Topps issues represent enticing long term holdings. If Judge sustains his superstar production over a full career, the sky seems to be the limit for the appreciation potential of these early cards. Comparable Hall of Fame sluggers like Ken Griffey Jr. and Mickey Mantle have seen some of their finest rookie cards appreciate into the six figure range for top graded copies years after retirement.
There is optimism that if healthy, Judge can put together a career reaching similar heights. His prodigious blasts already have him on a path towards 500 career homers. Sustaining elite power numbers and star name recognition long term bodes extremely well for future demand surrounding his prized 2016 and 2017 rookie cards decades down the line. While risk always exists, Aaron Judge rookies offer a rare opportunity for collectors to invest very early in what may become an all-time great at an affordable cost compared to cards of established legends. Graded 10 copies are still obtainable in the $3,000+ range for serious investors bullish on his future accomplishments driving rarer rookies up alongside or exceeding comparables.
For avid baseball collectors and hobby enthusiasts, owning a true Aaron Judge rookie from his formative early seasons provides a special keepsake documenting the starting point of a potential future Hall of Famer. Judge has all the tools to deliver a full career’s worth of highlight reel moments that will make cardboard from his debut even more treasured with time. Both PSA 10 and lower grade examples of his prized Topps Chrome and flagship rookie issues can make intriguing long term portfolio pieces for those dreaming of holding a small piece of baseball history decades from now.
