In the baseball card collecting hobby, Judge prospect cards started releasing not long after the Yankees had selected him in the first round of the 2013 Draft, and he hardly snuck up on anybody.
The best and most valuable Aaron Judge card is his 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft autograph card (#AJ), but there are lots of good alternatives – I’ve covered all the top Judge cards below.
While he did make his MLB debut in 2016, it wasn’t until 2017 that Aaron Judge rookie cards were released.
With various prospect card releases from as early as 2013 through to 2017, when his array of rookie card options were issued, collectors have no shortage of Aaron Judge cards to consider.
Table of Contents
The Best Aaron Judge Rookie Cards
2017 Bowman Aaron Judge #32
First up on the list of the best Aaron Judge rookie cards, is inexpensive, but from a popular brand – The 2017 Bowman Judge rookie.
Bowman is more renowned for prospect cards, particularly the autographed cards – But the set does present lower-end rookie card options in the base set, and this Aaron Judge rookie fits that description.
The card has numerous numbered parallels, which offer a more valuable and harder chase.
Judge also has a Chrome Rookie Autograph card in the 2017 product.
2017 Bowman Chrome Aaron Judge #56
The 2017 Bowman Chrome set is home to another simple Aaron Judge rookie card, plus a short print variation card to consider. In my opinion, it’s his best unsigned rookie card.
The shiny finish to the card makes it slightly more eye-catching than the standard Bowman rookie card, but more attention is given to the Refractor parallels, which offer added color and value.
The 1-of-1 Superfractor version sold for $10.3k in 2022, graded BGS 9.5.
2017 Topps Aaron Judge #287
There’s added significance to rookie cards from the Flagship Topps set, and while the 2017 Topps Aaron Judge rookie (Series 1) isn’t the most valuable, it’s certainly a sought-after and popular option.
The card has an array of parallels, and Judge is also featured amongst the set’s short print variations.
2017 Topps Chrome Aaron Judge #169
The 2017 Topps Chrome Aaron Judge rookie card is the flagship rookie, with added shine – Another chromium option.
Again, the base card isn’t overly expensive, but there’s value in some of the various Refractor parallels.
Judge features on a Rookie Autographs card in the set too, as well as having a variation.
2017 Topps Chrome Sapphire Edition Aaron Judge #287
For a more premium version of the flagship chrome rookie card, collectors can look to the 2017 Topp Chrome Sapphire Edition Aaron Judge rookie card, which has the pop of extra color, and added value.
Judge also has another hard-signed autograph rookie from this set.
2017 Bowman’s Best Aaron Judge #1
A colorful card, with plenty going on – The 2017 Bowman’s Best Aaron Judge rookie card offers another reasonably priced, good chrome option, which comes with all the expected Refractor parallels too.
This is one of Judge’s most popular unsigned rookies, and the lower-numbered parallels hold some big price tags.
The 1-of-1 Superfractor parallel version sold for $10.9k in 2022, which makes it one of Judge’s most valuable unsigned baseball cards.
2017 Panini Diamond Kings Aaron Judge #138
A set that is known for its artistic designs, Panini Diamond Kings offers collectors something a bit different.
This 2017 Diamond Kings Judge rookie is another which is very much affordable, but definitely distinctive.
2017 Bowman Platinum Aaron Judge #91
This one is a card from a set that was issued as a Walmart exclusive – The 2017 Bowman Platinum Judge rookie card is one of the earliest options to feature him in the dark Yankees jersey.
Made on foil stock, the base card has a shine to it, and there are multiple parallel options, with added color, too.
2017 Donruss Optic Aaron Judge #38
Donruss Optic puts a chromium spin on the regular Donruss set, much like Topps Chrome does for the flagship Topps set.
This 2017 Donruss Optic Aaron Judge rookie card, with the recognizable Rated Rookie brand, features the same card design as he’s got in the regular Donruss set, but with added metallic shine
Collectors also have a large parallel rainbow to consider.
2017 Panini Flawless Aaron Judge #101
Very much a premium and high-end option, the 2017 Panini Flawless Aaron Judge card.
Although not autographed, the premium feature on this base rookie card comes in the form of an embedded diamond gem.
The card design is classy, and it’s numbered to just 20 copies, making it very rare and hard to find.
Judge has two additional cards in the base set, both also numbered to 20 copies, and embedded with a diamond gem.
There are a few lower numbered parallels, featuring different gems. He also has autograph and patch cards from 2017 Flawless, for collectors with the biggest budgets.
2017 Topps Diamond Icons Aaron Judge Auto #AU-AJU
Another entry in the ultra high-end – The 2017 Topps Diamond Icons features this highly-appealing Aaron Judge hard-signed autograph rookie card, limited and numbered to just 25 copies.
There are a few low-numbered parallels, which takes the total number of cards to 41 – Not an easy card to find, and one that holds good value.
2017 Immaculate Collection Aaron Judge Auto Patch #113
Continuing with high-end cards, this 2017 Immaculate Aaron Judge rookie card features an on-card signature, and player-worn jersey patch.
Numbered to 99 copies, with a few lower-numbered parallel options, it’s a premium option, which requires a bigger budget.
2017 Panini National Treasures Aaron Judge Auto Patch #162
Arguably the apex of high-end Panini brands, National Treasures is known for signatures and jumbo patches – It’s no different for this 2017 Panini National Treasures Aaron Judge rookie card.
He does have several different auto and memorabilia cards to choose from in 2017 National Treasures.
This card has the on-card signature, jumbo patch, and is numbered to 99 copies, so it ticks all the boxes – There are also numerous parallel options, which hold even more value.
2017 Topps Dynasty Aaron Judge Auto Patch #AP-AA1 - #AP-AA3
An ultra-premium auto patch option from Topps for this one. 2017 Topps Dynasty actually includes three different Aaron Judge autograph patch cards, all numbered to just 10 copies.
All three feature the hard-signed autograph, and jumbo patch.
Even when you factor in the low number of parallels for each, the total number of cards, combined for all three, is very low – They’re extremely scarce and valuable.
A BGS 10 graded copy of the AP-AA1 card sold for $10k, back in 2023.
The Best Aaron Judge Prospect Cards
2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Aaron Judge #BDPP19
Although it doesn’t receive the same attention as the autographed card, the standard base 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Aaron Judge prospect card isn’t one to be ignored – It’s one of his most popular unsigned baseball cards.
It’s Judge’s first Yankee sports card, and while he does have a paper version, this chrome one is a bit more premium. There is also no shortage of Refractor parallels, which is where more value is found.
2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Autographs Aaron Judge #AJ
Many will agree that this 2013 Bowman’s Chrome Draft Autographed Aaron Judge prospect card is his most sought-after and desirable.
The allure of a players’ first Bowman Chrome autographs card is present in the baseball card hobby, and they hold big value – Despite it pre-dating his official rookie cards, this is the key Judge card to have.
If the base card isn’t enough, there are also numerous numbered Refractor parallels, which hold even more value.
The rarest and most coveted version, the 1-of-1 Superfractor parallel, sold for $324k back in 2022 (graded BGS 9.5), which is a record Aaron Judge baseball card sale price.
2013 Elite Extra Edition Aaron Judge Auto #122
Although it doesn’t receive as much attention as the Bowman Chrome prospect auto card, this 2013 Elite Extra Edition Aaron Judge prospect is a notable option.
It’s missing the MLB logos, but the hard-signed autograph is appealing, and a print run of 599 copies makes it somewhat scarce.
There are multiple parallels for this one as well.
2013 Leaf Metal Draft Aaron Judge Autograph #AJ1
Another autographed Aaron Judge prospect card, but with a Refractor-like finish even on the base version – The 2013 Leaf Metal Draft Aaron Judge auto card is a solid option, which is the company’s answer to Bowman Chrome.
It is missing MLB logos, but still a nice alternative for a Judge prospect auto, if you can’t afford the Bowman Chrome auto.
There are an array of color-based parallels for this one.
2015 Panini National Treasures Prospect Silhouette Autographs Aaron Judge #1
An early entry into the world of super-premium for Aaron Judge with this auto patch National Treasures card from the 2015 set – Although he had a number of different autograph prospect cards by the time this one released, this one stands out because of the brand.
A hard-signed autograph, with a large jersey patch feature on the card, something we’re accustomed to seeing from National Treasures. It’s also numbered to 99 copies, with some lower-numbered parallels.
When Was Aaron Judge’s Rookie Season?
Aaron Judge made his MLB debut in 2016, for the New York Yankees. His first full season was in 2017.
What Is The Most Valuable Aaron Judge Baseball Card?
The 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Autographs prospect card is the most valuable Aaron Judge card; It’s his key card and the most popular option among collectors.
The highest value is in the numbered Refractor parallels – A copy of the 1-of-1 Superfractor version, graded 9.5 by BGS, sold for $324 in 2022.
Aaron Judge: A Background
Aaron Judge wasted no time gaining attention at the start of his MLB career, with the New York Yankees, after hitting home runs in his first two MLB games.
An impressive first full MLB season resulted in the AL Rookie of the Year award, and interest in his prospect and rookie cards certainly took off amongst collectors.
He’s gone on to establish himself as a top player, with multiple All-Star accolades, and an AL MVP award in 2022.
