A unique baseball card of Paul Skenes has been sold for an impressive $1.11 million following a two-week auction.
The card, a debut patch card autographed by Skenes, includes a patch from the jersey he wore during his highly anticipated MLB debut in May. The auction saw 64 bids, and the final sale price, which included a 20% buyer’s premium, was announced late Thursday. The identity of the buyer has not been disclosed, but it was revealed that the proceeds from the sale will be donated to the LA Fire Relief Fund.
Skenes, 22, is set to earn $875,000 with the Pittsburgh Pirates in his first season in the major leagues.
The sale of this card has generated significant excitement, similar to the level of interest seen for iconic collectible cards featuring legends like Honus Wagner, Mickey Mantle, and Ken Griffey Jr.
The debut patch cards are part of the Topps Chrome Update series, with 91 of these cards produced in 2023 and 251 in 2024.
The buzz around the debut patch cards has garnered attention from both young major leaguers and seasoned collectors, but most of the focus has been on Paul Skenes’ card in particular.
A mix of Skenes’ rising stardom, the wide influence of his girlfriend, LSU gymnast and influencer Livvy Dunne, and a compelling offer from the Pittsburgh Pirates to secure the card has fueled the excitement surrounding this unique collectible.
An 11-year-old from the Los Angeles area claimed the Paul Skenes card after finding the redemption code in a pack he received as a Christmas gift. Despite receiving an offer from the Pittsburgh Pirates, he chose to pass the card to Fanatics Collect, who has been handling it with special care for the past two months.
Skenes, who was named National League Rookie of the Year after posting an 11-3 record with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts for the Pirates last season, is set to start for Pittsburgh on opening day next week.