One Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher has surprised everyone. Among the current list of active players in MLB, Paul Skenes has topped the rookie debut patch card, getting sold for a massive $1.11 million during the auction. Right after the heavy bidding ended, the 22-year-old rookie’s debut patch card was sold for a price that is even higher than his actual 2025 salary. That’s massive, isn’t it?
Paul Skenes used to be the number 1 draft pick in 2023, and he made his debut with the Pirates soon in May. Skenes was even chosen to be part of the 2024 All-Star game, and he had been the fifth player in MLB history to do so. However, Skenes’ debut patch card remains the second highest bid, as the first place is still secured by Mike Trout, whose patch card was sold for the highest amount.
The auction was held on March 20, where the Fanatics Collect managed the sales of Topps cards. While the auction was about to end quite early, at around 7 p.m., the sudden influx of bids extended the bidding procedure until the middle of the night, till 12:40 a.m. Guess what happened? The MLB rookie debut path card was sold at a final price of $1.11 million, which includes twenty percent of the buyer premium added to the amount won. It is even higher than Paul Skenes’ salary, which is $875,000 from the previous year. But that’s not all!
𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: The Paul Skenes 1/1 Rookie Debut Patch Autograph card has sold at auction for $1,110,000.
Of all active MLB players, only Mike Trout has ever had a card sell for more. pic.twitter.com/TG69RsisIe
— Topps (@Topps) March 21, 2025
It has managed to break several records, even surpassing the amount paid for the Bowman Draft Chrome Prospect Autograph and even $150,000 paid for the rookie debut patch card. But what’s the reason behind fetching such a massive deal for a patch card? Well, Paul Skenes had an impressive 2024 season. He went 11-3 in the 2024 regular season, with a 1.96 ERA, 133.0 IP, 170 SO, and 0.95 WHIP. With such an impressive performance, Skenes managed to achieve the National League Rookie of the Year award.
So, who got the patch card?
Paul Skenes’ debut patch card makes a youngster happy
What a pleasant surprise and memorable experience for the youngster who got a hold of this card, right? The Paul Skenes patch card was a Topps Chrome Update card, and it had been one of its kind. The card itself is special and his autograph makes the card more special – which has now been pulled by an 11-year-old boy. Although it was a gift from his parents, the card cost $320. But there is more to it from Pirates’ side.
The Pittsburgh Pirates offered the young boy two Pirates’ season tickets behind the home plate, that too for 30 years—that’s massive! He has been offered a softball game in PNC Park where the coaches will be present, and he will also get Paul Skenes’ jersey autographed by him. However, his family has rejected the offer and wishes to put the item into the auction with the Fanatics Collect. Despite that, the Pirates owner, Bob Nutting, wishes to meet them as well as the players once they come to Los Angeles. That’s a great opportunity, isn’t it? Even Skenes’ girlfriend, Livvy Dunne shared a seat with him in a suite during a game, and finally, the boy made the decision to sell it.
What would you have done with such a rookie patch card?
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