A rare Paul Skenes rookie card just sold for a jaw-dropping price.
Paul Skenes, the first overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, had a dazzling rookie season for the Pittsburgh Pirates that saw him win National League Rookie of the Year honors. The 22-year-old was named to the All-Star Game and earned an All-MLB First Team selection.
And if you just so happen to own a Skenes rookie yard, well, it’s the perfect time to sell.
As reported by TMZ Sports, an extremely rare Topps Paul Skenes rookie card just sold for $1.1 million at auction. Skenes signed the card, which features a patch he wore in his MLB debut.
Per TMZ, Topps decided to place the one-of-a-kind card in one of its packs before it was distributed. The Pirates organization even offered a pair of tickets behind home plate for each of the next 30 years in exchange for the card, TMZ added.
Turns out it was a lucky 11-year-old fan who landed the Paul Skenes rookie yard. And to put the $1.1 million price tag into perspective, Skenes will only make $875,000 as a rookie this year.
The 11-year-old fan who pulled Paul Skenes' MLB Debut Patch card has sold it for $1.1M.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) March 21, 2025
Skenes is set to earn $875K from the Pirates in 2025. pic.twitter.com/ASXnKiDtud
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According to Topps, this is the sixth-most expensive MLB player card ever sold. The record was smashed in 2022, when a Mickey Mantle Topps 1952 baseball card sold for $12.6 million at auction.
𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐍: The Paul Skenes 1/1 Debut Patch card now has a current bid of $1.11M.
— Topps (@Topps) March 21, 2025
This puts Skenes 6th all-time for most expensive card sales amongst all MLB players, with the card still live at auction.
1. Mickey Mantle – $12.6M
2. Honus Wagner – $7.25M
3. Babe Ruth – $7.2M… pic.twitter.com/LhKtwlrjaV
Paul Skenes Had A Rookie Year For The Ages
Skenes came as advertised in 2024, going 11-3 as a starter with a ridiculous 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts in 133 innings pitched. Skenes, as a pitcher, finished with an excellent 5.9 wins-above-replacement.
The Pirates, looking to end a 10-year postseason drought, will kick off their 2025 season with a four-game road set against the Miami Marlins that begins on Thursday. They’ll welcome the New York Yankees in their home opener on Apr. 4.
Also Read: VIDEO: Fernando Tatis Jr. Took A 95 MPH Shot To The Head In Horrifying Scene During Spring Training
