Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes’ coveted autographed and one-of-a-kind MLB debut patch card is no longer on the market.
An 11-year-old collector from Southern California decided to pull out the card, which appeared in the 2024 Topps Chrome Refresh set.
The card of Skenes, who was named the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year, attracted widespread interest when the trading and collectible card maker unveiled it in November.
Shortly after the card was made public, the Pirates expressed their desire to obtain it.
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Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning at PNC Park. (Charles LeClaire/USA Today Sports)
While any autographed Skenes card has some value, the MLB Debut Patch Edition is a unique collectible, making it highly sought after.
The Pirates offered a long benefits package in exchange for the card. Among the team’s offers were a pair of premium Pirates season tickets for a three-year period, a meet-and-greet with Skenes and autographed jerseys.
Despite the latest turn of events, the Pirates confirmed that the team remains ready to honor the offer.
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“An 11 year old collector just released Paul Skenes’ 1/1 debut patch card! Our offer still stands…you know where to find us,” the Pirates posted on Tuesday X.
LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, who is dating Skenes, added another incentive for whoever finds the card.
“Let’s raise the stakes… the person who finds this card gets to sit with me at a Pirates game in my suite,” Dunne wrote in a post on his Instagram Story.
Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne on the set of ESPN’s “College GameDay” at the LSU Quad on Nov. 9, 2024, in Baton Rouge. (LSU Athletics/University Images via Getty Images)
Skenes, 22, had an unforgettable season in 2024, finishing 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts.
Before winning the National League Rookie of the Year award, Skenes was named to the MLB All-Star team. Skenes was the top pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and made his major league debut in May.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes pitches in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. (Benny Sieu/USA Today Sports)
Rookies have worn MLB debut patches on their jerseys since 2023. Topps acquired the patches and created the unique cards.
In November, Sports Collectors Digest projected that the card could fetch a six-figure price tag.
