The Reno Aces are a Minor League Baseball team based in Reno, Nevada. They have been affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball since 2009. Over the years, the Aces have been featured on various baseball cards produced by different companies. This history provides an overview of Reno Aces baseball cards from their founding in 2009 through the present day.
When the Aces were established as the Diamondbacks’ Triple-A affiliate starting in the 2009 season, Upper Deck was the MLB licensed card producer at the time. They released sets featuring players and teams from throughout the minor leagues. This included cards of notable Aces players from that inaugural 2009 season like pitcher Jarrod Parker, infielders Brett Wallace and Joey Mahalic, and outfielders Gerardo Parra and Collin Cowgill. These early Aces cards were fairly basic and showed the team’s original logo and uniform designs from 2009-2011.
In 2010, Topps gained the MLB license and began issuing sets highlighting minor league players. They continued producing cards for top Aces prospects in subsequent years. Notable players to receive Topps minor league cards during the early Reno affiliate period included pitchers Trevor Bauer and Charles Brewer as well as future MLB players Mike Belfiore, A.J. Pollock, and Tyler Skaggs. The designs on these cards incorporated the classic Topps look of the time but granted special attention to affiliate logos and uniforms.
Another manufacturer, Leaf, entered the baseball card market in 2011. They issued premium hobby boxes focusing entirely on prospects throughout affiliated minor league systems. This included serial numbered parallels and autograph cards of top Aces talent. Some key Reno players featured in the early Leaf releases were pitchers Stephen Fife, Matt Stites, and Charles Brewer along with infielder Joey Wendle. The high-end Leaf cards utilized excellent photography and drew additional attention to the Reno affiliate at that time.
In 2013, Topps lost the MLB license to competitors Panini America. This marked a change in the style and production values granted to minor league level cards. Panini’s Donruss and Leaf brands both incorporated Aces players into their new prospect-centric sets that year. Notable Reno players seen in 2013 included pitchers Braden Shipley and Matt Stites as well as infielder Andy Young. The new Panini designs had sharper photography compared to previous years.
When the Aces rebranded with new logos and uniforms starting in 2014, it was reflected in the baseball cards released that year by Panini. Donruss and Leaf inserts highlighted standouts like Archie Bradley, Andrew Chafin, and Phil Ervin sporting the clean modern Aces look. Parallels and autographs of top Reno talent also remained a strong focus across Panini’s minor league offerings at the time. This branding update helped keep the Aces visually current as featured affiliates.
Through the remainder of the 2010s, the Aces maintained representation each year across Donruss, Leaf, and affiliated sets by Panini America. Notable Reno players to receive minor league cards in those releases included pitchers Jake Buchanan, Matt Koch, Luke Weaver, Jimmie Sherfy, and Jon Duplantier as well as position players Yasmany Tomas, Socrates Brito, and Abraham Almonte. The modern Panini designs utilized high-quality action shots to spotlight top Diamondbacks prospects playing for the Reno club.
When Topps regained the MLB license ahead of the 2020 season, they were able to shift greater attention back to minor league coverage as well. Topps Chrome and Topps Opening Day inserts highlighted prized Aces arms like Jon Duplantier, Lucas Luetge, and late-season callup Alex Young in the years since. Additional parallels and autographs helped spotlight Reno’s ongoing prospect pipeline under the new Topps umbrella going forward. This marked a return to the classic Topps aesthetic widely familiar to baseball card collectors for Aces content.
Beyond the major manufacturers, independent regional sets have additionally recognized Reno over the years. Companies like Pacific Trading Cards and Freedom Flag Productions issued cards solely dedicated to Aces players, coaches, and game highlights starting in 2011. Numerous autographed and serial numbered parallel variations through these sets provided a unique niche collecting option focused entirely on the Triple-A affiliate. For diehard Aces fans, such boutique releases hold a special significance separate from the national producers.
Through over a decade of affiliated ball, the Reno Aces have routinely earned representation across major baseball card releases from Upper Deck, Topps, Leaf, Donruss and more. Branding updates, prospect callups, and independent sets have all helped chronicle and promote the Reno franchise at both the regional and national level. As long as the successful Diamondbacks partnership continues, Aces players and the northern Nevada community can expect to remain highlighted in the ever-evolving world of licensed baseball cards.
