Paul Skenes’ Rookie Card Fetches $1.11 Million at Auction
A remarkable moment in baseball memorabilia history occurred when Pittsburgh Pirates’ rising star, Paul Skenes, saw his rare rookie card sell for an impressive $1.11 million at auction. This record-setting sale took place on Friday morning through Fanatics Collect and featured a one-of-a-kind 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB Debut Patch card. The card, which is numbered 1-of-1 and includes Skenes’ on-card autograph, drew attention from collectors and enthusiasts alike, making it one of the most valuable baseball cards ever sold.
This rare collectible joins a small group of elite cards, with only five ever being sold for higher prices. Among active players, only Los Angeles Angels’ slugger Mike Trout has had a card surpass this figure, though the all-time record remains a staggering $12.6 million, which was paid in 2022 for a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card.
Fanatics Collect, the platform responsible for the auction, is donating all proceeds to Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts, further adding a sense of philanthropy to the sale. The card itself gained significant attention earlier this year when it was revealed that an 11-year-old collector in Los Angeles had pulled the card from a pack. This lucky individual turned down an extraordinary offer from the Pirates organization, which included two season tickets behind home plate for the next 30 years.
Paul Skenes, at just 22 years old, has become one of the most talked-about players in the MLB. Drafted No. 1 overall by the Pirates in 2023, Skenes quickly cemented his status as a dominant force on the mound. He was named an All-Star and earned the National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2024, finishing the season with an 11-3 record, a stellar 1.96 ERA, and 170 strikeouts across 133 innings. His impressive performance only added to the allure of his rookie card, which now holds a prominent place in the world of sports memorabilia.
