Paul Skenes Rookie Card Sells for Record $1.1M

The rare rookie card of one of the MLB’s best current pitchers Paul Skenes has fetched $1.1 million at auction, the highest amount ever paid for his card.

It came from a Topps Chrome MLB Update which dropped in late 2024. It is a 1-of-1 card featuring an on-card autograph and was reportedly sold to an unnamed buyer in the early hours of Friday morning.

After fans and collectors began searching for the rare item, many card-supplying stores struggled to keep up with demand. Eventually, an 11-year-old from Los Angeles packed the card earlier this year. Afterward, the Pittsburgh Pirates offered the finder season tickets behind home plate, a meet and greet with Skenes, and a seat in Livvy Dunne’s suite during a game.

The fan, however, declined their offer and decided to sell the card.

The sale reportedly included a 20% buyer’s premium, which Fanatics stated would be donated to the victims of the Los Angeles wildfires.

Only five baseball cards have ever sold for a bigger sum. It is the second-highest price amongst active players, with Mike Trout’s rookie card selling for nearly $4 million at auction in 2020. The record is $12.6 million for a 1952 Mickey Mantle card paid in 2022.

Paul Skenes became an instant star after Pittsburgh drafted him No. 1 overall in 2023, making the All-Star team and winning the National League Rookie of the Year honors. He recorded a 1.96 ERA with 170 strikeouts last season.