Rare Paul Skenes Rookie Card Set to Break Records in Auction

PITTSBURGH (AP) — An autographed baseball card featuring Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, including a patch from his debut jersey, is set to hit the auction block on Thursday, promising to make waves in the sports collectibles market.

The one-of-a-kind card, which showcases a piece of the jersey Skenes wore during his big league debut last May, has captured significant attention, reminiscent of iconic collectibles like those of Hall of Famers Honus Wagner, Mickey Mantle, and Ken Griffey Jr. The card’s journey has been fueled by Skenes’ rapid rise in the sports world and his connection to social media influencer Livvy Dunne, amplifying interest beyond traditional collectors.

“The coverage on this, just in my opinion, is so much bigger,” said Nick Bell, CEO of Fanatics Collect, which is overseeing the auction set to close on March 20. Bell noted this event has drawn unprecedented interest from both avid collectors and casual fans.

The card was initially claimed by an 11-year-old boy from Los Angeles, who discovered it as part of a Christmas present. Instead of accepting a lucrative offer from the Pirates, which included season tickets behind home plate at PNC Park for 30 years, the child opted to auction the card instead.

Skenes expressed surprise at the magnitude of the card’s hype, stating, “I never would have imagined how much hype there was around it, which is cool.” He briefly reunited with the card at the Super Bowl, a moment filled with excitement given its visibility.

Bell attributes the buzz surrounding the card to Skenes’ emerging star power. “He’s obviously broken through into the world of popular culture with his relationship with Livvy,” said Bell. “And I think the story behind this card itself is just incredible.”

Interest in Skenes-related memorabilia has heightened since his senior year at LSU in 2023, with a 2023 card of his fetching $63,000 last August. As the auction approaches, estimates concerning the final sale remain unclear, but Bell expects it to reach a “very significant sale.”

There is no reserve price for the card, allowing for bids as low as $20. However, potential buyers should anticipate fierce competition, as Bell remarked, “It just really has captured the imagination.”

The proceeds from the auction will benefit the LA Fire Relief Fund, further adding a charitable aspect to this unique collectible.