Baseball card collecting has seen a major surge recently. Few players have captivated the market quite like New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. There has been a huge increase in demand for Aaron Judge rookie cards as collectors scramble to add them to their collections before prices climb even higher.
Based on the last few years the Yankee Captain has had, are you shocked?! Because I’m not.
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Aaron Judge Rookie Cards Breaking Records
According to Tyler Holzhammer of The Athletic, several Judge rookie cards have become must-haves for serious collectors, with values steadily climbing over the past few seasons. His 2017 Topps #287 rookie card might be the most accessible entry point for budget-conscious fans — it’s currently selling for around $20 in raw condition. But don’t let this relatively cheap price fool you – graded versions in excellent condition command much more!
For those who want to invest in something with more long-term potential, the 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects #BDPP19 is Judge’s first official card as a Yankee. Raw copies are now worth around $150, while those graded PSA 10 sell for about $650. What makes this particularly special is it predates his MLB debut by four years. Getting a card that shows off Judge at the start of his journey through pro ball is special.
Sustained demand for Judge rookies speaks volumes about collectors’ confidence in his long-term legacy. After the kind of historic run he’s been on since the start of 2022, it’s easy to see why.
Premium Options for Serious Investors
If you’ve got deeper pockets and want something truly special, Judge’s 2017 Topps Chrome #169 rookie card is considered his most popular rookie card. With a current value of around $200 for PSA 10 examples, it’s become the centerpiece of many high-end collections.
For the ultimate Judge collector, nothing beats his autographed rookies. The 2017 Topps Heritage Real One Autographs card features Judge’s signature directly on it (not on a sticker like many modern autos) and currently sells for over $2,000. That’s a significant investment, but the limited availability and authenticated signature make it a hot commodity.
Home Run History Driving Card Values
So why are Judge’s cards experiencing such remarkable growth? It all comes down to his historic performance at the plate. Since bursting onto the scene with 52 homers in his rookie campaign, Judge has established himself as this generation’s premier power hitter.
The most noteworthy moment came in 2022 when Judge slipped past Roger Maris to become the new American League single-season home run king with 62 taters. He won his first AL MVP Award this winter, as well. Following an injury-shortened 2023 campaign, the right-handed slugger captured another AL MVP in 2024 after slugging a league-leading 58 homers.
Future Outlook: Why Collectors Are All In
What makes Judge cards particularly appealing is that, unlike many players who peak early, he continues to be an elite offensive producer.
Now playing in his age-33 campaign during 2025, Judge could still have several prime seasons ahead of him. If he maintains his current trajectory, there’s a chance he could potentially flirt with the 600-homer milestone, which would cement his Hall of Fame case.
For collectors, this creates a perfect storm: historic accomplishments already achieved, more potentially on the horizon, and the Yankees pedigree that amplifies any player’s market. With all those things considered, it’s not at all surprising that pieces of Judge memorabilia are getting snatched up before the value goes up even more.
Do you have any Aaron Judge cards or memorabilia in your collection? With prices continuing to climb, now might be the perfect time! If you do have any, let me know in the comments what you have.
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