The 2017 baseball card season saw immense growth in the industry as card companies like Topps, Panini, and Bowman produced new sets with many stars who had breakout seasons in 2016. As a result, 2017 is considered one of the more valuable years for recent baseball cards. Many young players showed their potential and earned rookie cards that have increased substantially in value since release.
Some of the top rookie cards to emerge from 2017 sets include Cody Bellinger, Aaron Judge, Andrew Benintendi, Yoan Moncada, Dansby Swanson, and Amed Rosario. All of these players broke into the majors in 2016-2017 and immediately made an impact. Bellinger blasted 39 home runs for the Dodgers as a rookie, Judge smashed 52 homers for the Yankees, and Benintendi contributed solid all-around play for the Red Sox. Their flagship rookie cards have trended upwards due to these proven track records at the MLB level.
Bellinger’s Topps Chrome Update rookie auto parallel /99 has averaged over $500 recently due to his successive prolific seasons for Los Angeles. The standard Topps Chrome rookie sells for around $150-200 consistently. Aaron Judge’s Topps Series 2 Chrome Update rookie auto /99 regularly moves for $1,000+, with the standard Chrome going between $300-400 usually. Andrew Benintendi’s Topps Series 1 Blue Refractor auto /150 consistently hits the $400 range. Even rainbow foil parallels of Benintendi sell for $100.
Moncada, expected to be a star for the White Sox for years, has multiple Chrome Update rookie auto parallels valued north of $400. His Topps Chrome sells around $150. Swanson had a solid 2017 debut and should continue to improve. His Topps Chrome Update auto /99 sells for $250-300 often. Amed Rosario’s rooking season showed tantalizing talent, making his Topps Chrome Update auto /99 a $300 card. His standard Chrome is around $100 usually.
The breakout seasons of these players have created substantial demand for their flagship rookie cards across the board. While 2017 rookies of less impactful players don’t retain as much value, the crop of emerging stars kept consumer enthusiasm for 2017 products very high over subsequent years.
Beyond star rookies, established veterans on contending teams gained value as well. Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, Francisco Lindor, Nolan Arenado, and Mookie Betts produced sensational seasons while leading their clubs to postseason berths and accolades. As a result, flagship cards depicting these superstars in popular 2017 sets like Topps Series 1, Topps Series 2, Stadium Club, and Topps Chrome surged in price.
Bryant’s Topps Series 1 base jumped up to a $15-20 range from around $8. Rizzo’s 2017 Stadium Club base regularly moves for $12-15. Correa’s Topps Update base commands $10+. Seager’s Topps Update Chrome sells for $8-10 frequently. Lindor’s flagship cards from flagship Topps series and Stadium Club stay in the $10-15 zone. Arenado’s 2017 Topps Series 1 base hovers around $12, while Mookie Betts’ Topps Update base often fetches $10 or so.
Beyond starring players, 2017 also contained popular subsets that gained significance. The Stadium Club ’60s design parallels attracted immense buyer interest. Any parallel under /50 of star players like Bryce Harper, Francisco Lindor, or Clayton Kershaw routinely sells over $100. Even base versions of popular veterans remain north of $15. Other subsets like Topps ’70s style, Topps ’86, and various framed parallels grew in demand as well due to their retro designs coupled with starring players.
Player movement also impacted 2017 values. Yankees starter Sonny Gray gained an immediate bump upon being traded from Oakland, as did Todd Frazier after joining the Yankees from Chicago. Rookies like Ian Happ gained attention arriving in Chicago’s stacked lineup from the minors. Jim Johnson gained collector interest after reuniting with Baltimore. Deals like these shifted collector focus to new uniforms and roles.
The excitement of breakout young players and contending teams in 2017 has left legacy for collectors. Rated rookie cards of emerging MLB stars remain actively traded and hold consistent premiums. Established veterans saw boosted values from outstanding campaigns. Popular special subsets and player movement provided diverse investment opportunities as well. 2017 thus cemented its place as a standout year for baseball memorabilia based on emerging talent and driven collector demand. The year’s cards remain liquid holdings retaining significance for both investors and fans alike.
