The 2017 baseball card season saw many exciting rookies make their debuts and established stars continue to produce at high levels. Some of the top young players who had cards released in 2017 included Cody Bellinger, Andrew Benintendi, Aaron Judge, and Dansby Swanson. Meanwhile, veterans like Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw, and Bryce Harper remained perennial favorites among collectors.
The 2017 Topps series were among the most popular releases of the year. The flagship Topps base set featured cards of over 750 major and minor league players. As with previous years, Topps inserted short print and autograph parallel cards throughout the base set to add to the chase. Some of the most sought-after rookie cards in the 2017 Topps set were Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Andrew Benintendi, and Dansby Swanson. The rookies of these young stars who went on to have great seasons captured the attention of the hobby.
In addition to the base set, Topps released several special insert sets as part of its 2017 offerings. Topps Heritage paid tribute to the design styles of the late 1960s with a retro look on the cards. Topps Archives focused on recreating iconic designs from the early years of the company. Topps Finest and Topps Chrome highlighted the sport’s biggest stars with glossy, photo-centric cards. Autograph and memorabilia cards of star players like Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw, and Bryce Harper were spread throughout these premium insert sets.
While Topps remained the dominant force in baseball cards, competitors also had notable releases. Panini’s 2017 Donruss set offered a modern take on the classic Donruss design of the 1980s and 90s. The base set included over 700 major and minor leaguers. Popular rookies like Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Andrew Benintendi were highly sought-after. Panini also produced special parallels and autographed cards throughout the Donruss set.
Another challenger to Topps, Leaf released its Metal Universe set in 2017. Featuring a retro-style design with embossed logos and team names, Metal Universe contained base cards for over 750 players. Short prints, autographs, and memorabilia cards were inserted throughout the set. Rookies of Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Dansby Swanson were fan favorites. Leaf’s Metal Universe set stood out for its unique foil stamping and vintage aesthetic.
2017 also saw the rise of several young stars who would go on to have breakout seasons. Aaron Judge’s mammoth rookie year for the New York Yankees captivated the baseball world. His towering home runs and .284 batting average made him an instant star. Judge’s rookie card from Topps, Panini, and Leaf skyrocketed in demand. Fellow rookie Cody Bellinger also had a remarkable season for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Bellinger hit 39 home runs and batted .267 in earning National League Rookie of the Year honors. Bellinger’s rookie cards from Topps, Panini, and Leaf paralleled his rise to stardom.
Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson and Boston Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi also made their MLB debuts in 2017. While they did not have the power numbers of Judge or Bellinger, Swanson and Benintendi showed promise and potential. Their rookie cards gained popularity among collectors anticipating their further development. Veterans Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw, Kris Bryant, and Bryce Harper continued to produce at superstar levels. Their cards from Topps, Panini, and Leaf inserts sets remained perennial favorites with collectors.
The 2017 season was an exciting one in Major League Baseball. Young stars like Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Dansby Swanson and Andrew Benintendi burst onto the scene. Meanwhile, veterans Trout, Kershaw, Bryant and Harper sustained their excellence. Their accomplishments were immortalized in the 2017 baseball card releases from Topps, Panini, and Leaf. Rookie cards of breakout players Judge and Bellinger saw enormous gains in demand. Overall, 2017 was a banner year for the baseball card hobby thanks to memorable performances and attractive product releases from the leading manufacturers. Many of the rookies and stars from that season will remain popular with collectors for years to come.
