Unique Paul Skenes autographed baseball card found by young collector will go to auction

A unique Paul Skenes autographed patch card found by an 11-year-old collector in Los Angeles will go to auction, Topps announced on Friday.

The 1/1 rookie debut patch card of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher and 2024 NL Rookie of the Year was part of Topps’ 2024 Chrome Update set, which was released in November. The highly sought card, which has since been graded a perfect 10, is one of the more valuable pieces in the collection — so much so that Skenes’ own team put up a bounty if it was found.

After the set was released, the Pirates announced that whoever found the Skenes card would be eligible for prizes. Included in their offer was two Pirates season tickets behind home plate for 30 years, the ability to host a softball game with team alumni for 30 people at PNC Park, and a spring training experience that includes meeting Skenes, taking batting practice at the team facility and two autographed Skenes jerseys.

Skenes’ girlfriend, LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne, added to the haul by offering the winner a spot in her suite during a Pirates game.

On Friday, Topps announced that the collector, whose identity has not been revealed, declined the Pirates’ offer and will instead put the card up for auction. All proceeds that Fanatics Collector takes from the card’s sale will be donated to Los Angeles fire relief funds.

The Pirates did extend an invite to bring the collector to Pittsburgh this season for a “special day” at PNC Park.

Skenes, 22, is one of the best young players in MLB and will be a key part of the Pirates’ rotation going forward. His rookie campaign was one to remember, with the 22-year-old pitching 133 innings with 170 strikeouts and a 1.96 ERA. He was also the starting pitcher for the National League in the 2024 All-Star Game.