Paul Skenes 1-of-1 Rookie Card Pulled; Subject of Offers from Pirates, Livvy Dunne

Topps announced Tuesday that an 11-year-old collector from Los Angeles pulled the coveted 1-of-1 autographed MLB debut patch card of Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes.

The card, which was part of the 2024 Topps Chrome Update set, received a ton of attention when Topps first unveiled it back in November

Shortly after the card was first shown, the Pirates announced their desire to acquire it. Before it was even pulled, the Pirates proactively offered a package of perks in exchange for the card, including two Pirates season tickets behind home plate for 30 years, the chance to play in a softball game at PNC Park, a VIP experience at Pirates training camp, a meet and greet with Skenes and two Skenes autographed jerseys.

That offer still stands.

Skenes' girlfriend, LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, later added to the offer, noting that whoever pulls the card would be welcome to sit with her in a suite at a Pirates game.

The 22-year-old Skenes is coming off one of the best rookie seasons in MLB history for a starting pitcher.

Selected No. 1 overall in the 2023 MLB draft out of LSU, Skenes made 23 starts last season and went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 170 strikeouts over 133 innings.

The hard-throwing righty started the All-Star Game for the National League, won the NL Rookie of the Year Award and finished third in the NL Cy Young Award despite not getting called up until May.

Any Skenes autographed rookie card is valuable, but the MLB debut patch version is especially sought after since it is a one-of-a-kind collectible.

Beginning in 2023, rookies started wearing MLB debut patches on their jerseys when playing in their first career regular-season games. Those patches were then given to Topps for the creation of 1-of-1 cards.

Some big names have been part of the craze, but none come close to the star power and popularity possessed by Skenes.

While the Pirates' offer may be of interest to the collector who pulled the Skenes card and their family, there will likely be other options to weigh.

Sports Collectors Digest estimated in November that the card could ultimately be worth six figures.

Given the excitement surrounding the card, it could fetch a massive number at auction, so there is no guarantee that the Pirates will be given the opportunity to secure it.

The value of the card could continue to climb in the years to come if Skenes remains dominant and puts together a Hall of Fame career, but holding onto it for too long would be a risk given the possibility of injury that always exists with pitchers.