Aaron Judge is one of the most popular and powerful sluggers in the MLB. The New York Yankees outfielder has been breaking records and hitting home runs since his debut in 2016. He won the AL Rookie of the Year award in 2017, when he smashed 52 homers and led the league in runs and walks. He also became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs in a season as a rookie.
Top 10 Aaron Judge Rookie Cards
If you are a fan of Aaron Judge or a collector of baseball cards, you might be interested in his rookie cards. These are the cards that were issued in his first year of playing in the major leagues, or in some cases, before that. They are usually more valuable and sought-after than his later cards, because they represent his earliest appearance and potential.
But how do you know which Aaron Judge rookie cards are the best to buy or invest in? There are hundreds of different cards featuring him, from various brands, sets, and formats. Some are rare and expensive, while others are common and affordable. Some have autographs or memorabilia, while others are plain or shiny.
To help you out, we have compiled a list of the top 10 Aaron Judge rookie cards, based on their popularity, rarity, quality, and value. We have also included some tips on how to find them, how to grade them, and how to store them. Whether you are looking for a gift, a hobby, or an investment, these are the cards you should consider.
Here are the top 10 Aaron Judge rookie cards:
2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks #BDPP19
This is the first and most iconic Aaron Judge rookie card. It was issued in 2013, three years before his MLB debut, when he was still a prospect in the Yankees farm system. It shows him at the plate with a confident look on his face, wearing his Yankees cap and jersey. The card has a shiny chrome finish and comes in various colors and refractors. The most valuable ones are the autographed versions, which are numbered and signed by Judge himself. These can sell for thousands of dollars, depending on the condition and rarity. The base card is more common and affordable, but still highly desirable among collectors.
2017 Topps Heritage #214
This card is part of the 2017 Topps Heritage set, which pays tribute to the classic 1968 Topps design. It features a vintage-style photo of Judge with a goofy grin on his face, holding his bat over his shoulder. The card has a simple layout with a white border and a team name banner at the bottom. It also has a facsimile signature of Judge on the front. The card comes in several parallels and variations, such as blue-bordered, bright yellow backs, gray backs, flip stock, refractors, and red ink autos. The red ink autos are the most rare and valuable ones, as they are limited to only 68 copies and hand-signed by Judge in red ink.
2017 Topps #287
This card is part of the flagship 2017 Topps set, which is one of the most popular and widely collected sets in the hobby. It shows Judge jumping up in the air to catch a ball in the outfield, displaying his athleticism and defensive skills. The card has a modern design with a glossy surface and a silver foil stamping of his name and team logo. It also has a rookie card logo on the top right corner. The card has many parallels and variations, such as gold, rainbow foil, negative, camo, black, pink, platinum, printing plates, and superfractors. The superfractors are the most rare and valuable ones, as they are one-of-one cards with a unique holographic pattern.
2017 Bowman Chrome #56
This card is part of the 2017 Bowman Chrome set, which is known for its high-quality cards with chrome technology and on-card autographs. It shows Judge in a dugout shot with his Yankees cap and jersey. The card has a sleek design with a silver border and a Bowman logo on the top left corner. It also has an image variation that shows him swinging his bat instead of sitting in the dugout. The card comes in various colors and refractors, such as blue, green, gold, orange, red, purple, black, printing plates, and superfractors. The most valuable ones are the autographed versions, which are numbered and signed by Judge on the front.
2017 Topps Update #US166
This card is part of the 2017 Topps Update set, which highlights the events and achievements of the season. It shows Judge celebrating with his teammates after hitting a home run, capturing his joy and charisma. The card has a colorful design with a blue border and a Topps logo on the top right corner. It also has a rookie card logo on the bottom left corner. The card has many parallels and variations, such as gold, rainbow foil, negative, camo, black, pink, platinum, printing plates, and superfractors. The superfractors are the most rare and valuable ones, as they are one-of-one cards with a unique holographic pattern.
2017 Topps Chrome #169
This card is part of the 2017 Topps Chrome set, which is a chromium version of the flagship 2017 Topps set. It shows Judge in the same jumping pose as the Topps #287 card, but with a different photo and a chrome finish. The card has a shiny design with a silver border and a Topps Chrome logo on the top right corner. It also has an image variation that shows him smiling instead of jumping. The card comes in various colors and refractors, such as blue, green, gold, orange, red, purple, black, printing plates, and superfractors. The most valuable ones are the autographed versions, which are numbered and signed by Judge on the front.
2017 Bowman Platinum #91
This card is part of the 2017 Bowman Platinum set, which is a Walmart-exclusive set with premium cards and prospects. It shows Judge in a dark Yankees jersey with his bat in his hands. The card has a foil design with a platinum border and a Bowman Platinum logo on the top left corner. It also has an autograph variation that shows him signing his name on the front. The card comes in several parallels and variations, such as ice, blue ice, green ice, purple ice, orange ice, red ice, black ice, printing plates, and superfractors. The superfractors are the most rare and valuable ones, as they are one-of-one cards with a unique holographic pattern.
2017 Topps Allen & Ginter #172
This card is part of the 2017 Topps Allen & Ginter set, which is inspired by the vintage 19th-century tobacco cards with quirky subjects and designs. It shows Judge in a close-up shot with his Yankees cap and jersey. The card has a retro design with a white border and an Allen & Ginter logo on the bottom right corner. It also has a mini version that is smaller in size and fits inside the regular card. The card comes in various parallels and variations, such as glossy, no number, Brooklyn back, wood, metal, printing plates, and cloth. The most valuable ones are the autographed versions, which are signed by Judge on the front.
2017 Panini Donruss Optic #38
This card is part of the 2017 Panini Donruss Optic set, which is a chromium version of the 2017 Panini Donruss set. It shows Judge in an action shot with his Yankees cap and jersey. The card has a flashy design with a silver border and an Optic logo on the top left corner. It also has an image variation that shows him smiling instead of swinging. The card comes in various colors and refractors, such as blue, red, orange, green, gold, black, pink, aqua, purple stars, carolina blue stars, cracked ice, and gold vinyl. The most valuable ones are the autographed versions, which are numbered and signed by Judge on the front.
2017 Panini National Treasures #RPA-AJ
This card is part of the 2017 Panini National Treasures set, which is one of the most premium and expensive sets in the hobby. It shows Judge in a portrait shot with his Yankees cap and jersey. The card has a luxurious design with a gold border and a National Treasures logo on the top right corner. It also has a large piece of game-used jersey with an autograph of Judge on it. The card is numbered to only 99 copies, making it very rare and valuable.
Conclusion
These are the top 10 Aaron Judge rookie cards that you should consider buying or investing in. They are all highly popular, rare, quality, and valuable cards that showcase his talent and potential. They are also great collectibles for any fan of Aaron Judge or baseball in general.
However, before you buy any of these cards, make sure you do your research and check the condition, authenticity, and price of the cards. You can use online tools such as eBay, Beckett, PSA, or BGS to find out more information about these cards. You can also consult with other collectors or experts to get their opinions and advice.
Once you have your cards, make sure you
make sure you store them properly and safely. You can use card sleeves, top loaders, binders, or boxes to protect your cards from dust, moisture, sunlight, and damage. You can also label them and organize them according to your preference.
I hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about Aaron Judge rookie cards. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. I would love to hear from you and chat more about baseball cards.
FAQ
Here are 10 most asked questions and answers about Aaron Judge rookie cards:
Q: How many Aaron Judge rookie cards are there?
A: There is no definitive answer to this question, as different sources may have different definitions and criteria for what constitutes a rookie card. However, according to the PSA CardFacts website, there are 1,038 Aaron Judge cards that are classified as rookie cards. This includes base cards, parallels, variations, autographs, memorabilia, and inserts from various brands and sets.
Q: What is the most expensive Aaron Judge rookie card?
A: The most expensive Aaron Judge rookie card ever sold was the 2017 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Autograph #56, which was graded PSA 10 (Gem Mint) by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). It was sold for $99,100 on eBay in February 2021. The card is extremely rare, as it is numbered to only 5 copies and features a bold on-card signature of Judge in blue ink.
Q: What is the best Aaron Judge rookie card to invest in?
A: The best Aaron Judge rookie card to invest in depends on your budget, preference, and risk tolerance. However, some general factors that you should consider are the popularity, rarity, quality, and potential of the card. You should also look for cards that have a high demand and a low supply in the market. Some examples of Aaron Judge rookie cards that are considered good investments are the 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks #BDPP19, the 2017 Topps Heritage #214, the 2017 Topps Chrome #169, and the 2017 Panini National Treasures #RPA-AJ.
Q: How do I find Aaron Judge rookie cards for sale?
A: There are many ways to find Aaron Judge rookie cards for sale. You can use online platforms such as eBay, Amazon, StockX, or COMC to browse and buy from thousands of sellers and listings. You can also use online tools such as Beckett Marketplace, Card Ladder, or Sports Card Investor to compare prices and track market trends. You can also visit local card shops, shows, or auctions to see and buy cards in person. You can also join online forums, groups, or communities to network with other collectors and traders.
Q: How do I grade my Aaron Judge rookie cards?
A: Grading your Aaron Judge rookie cards means submitting them to a professional grading company that will evaluate their condition and assign them a numerical score from 1 to 10. The higher the score, the better the condition and the more valuable the card. Grading your cards can help you authenticate them, protect them, enhance their appearance, and increase their value. Some of the most reputable grading companies are PSA, Beckett Grading Services (BGS), and Sportscard Guaranty (SGC).
Q: How do I sell my Aaron Judge rookie cards?
A: Selling your Aaron Judge rookie cards means finding a buyer who is willing to pay you a fair price for your cards. You can use online platforms such as eBay,