Paul Skenes MLB Debut Patch Card Controversy: The Chase, The Hype, and The Fallout

• Posted: February 1, 2025, 7:13 pm
• in Sports Card News
• by bionic

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The 2024 Topps MLB Debut Patch card of Paul Skenes became one of the most sought-after baseball cards in modern collecting history. The one-of-a-kind rookie card sparked an intense chase, culminating in an 11-year-old pulling the golden ticket—but instead of a celebratory moment, the discovery fueled speculation, conspiracy theories, and controversy within the hobby.

Who is Paul Skenes, and What is a Debut Patch Card?​

Paul Skenes is a dominant pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates and was selected first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft out of LSU. After making his debut in 2024, he quickly proved himself as one of baseball’s brightest young stars, eventually winning National League Rookie of the Year honors.

The Debut Patch program is a relatively new concept introduced by Topps (owned by Fanatics) in 2023. Every rookie wears a Debut Patch on the sleeve of their jersey for their first Major League game. That patch is then removed, inserted into a one-of-a-kind autographed baseball card, and distributed in Topps Chrome Update packs.

Because each Debut Patch card is game-worn, signed, and the only one in existence, these have become some of the most valuable modern rookie cards in the collecting world.

Why Was This Particular Card So Special?​

While all Debut Patch cards are exclusive, Skenes' card stood out for several reasons:

• He was the No. 1 pick and top rookie pitcher of 2024.
• His strong performance made him one of the most collectible young stars.
• A social media-driven bounty, fueled by the Pittsburgh Pirates, turned the chase into a mainstream sports story.

How the Pirates Turned the Chase Into a National Phenomenon​

Shortly after 2024 Topps Chrome Update was released on November 13, the Pittsburgh Pirates took an unprecedented step:

They publicly offered a massive reward to whoever found the Skenes Debut Patch card:

• Two season tickets behind home plate for 30 years
• Exclusive access to Paul Skenes and other team experiences
• The opportunity to have the card displayed at PNC Park

The offer instantly went viral, drawing nationwide attention.

Adding to the frenzy, Skenes’ girlfriend, Livvy Dunne, a social media sensation and LSU gymnast, sweetened the deal—inviting the card’s winner to sit with her in her suite at PNC Park.

Even Late Night host Seth Meyers joined in, promising VIP tickets to his show to the lucky collector, just for the chance to see the card in person.

With major media coverage, prices for Topps Chrome Update skyrocketed, and boxes sold out quickly on both primary and secondary markets.

How Much Is the Card Worth?​

The actual value of the Skenes Debut Patch card won’t be known until it goes to auction in March, but historical data suggests it could break records.

For reference:

• The most expensive Skenes card to date is his 2023 Bowman Chrome Draft Superfractor Auto, which sold for $123,220.
• The highest-selling Debut Patch card was Junior Caminero’s, which fetched $66,000.
• A bounty of $150,000 was reportedly claimed for Anthony Volpe’s Debut Patch in 2023.

With Skenes’ star power, media attention, and the Pirates’ involvement, many collectors believe this card could reach six or even seven figures.

Who Pulled the Skenes Redemption Card?​

After a months-long search, Topps announced on January 21 that the Skenes Debut Patch redemption had been found by an 11-year-old in Los Angeles.

However, rather than celebrating the discovery, the hobby community quickly became skeptical.

Unlike most high-value pulls, this card:

• Was not pulled live on camera by a breaker.
• Was not announced by the collector but instead by Topps itself.
• Came with no confirmation of where the winning box was purchased.

This lack of transparency fueled accusations that the process had been manipulated, with some collectors wondering whether the winner was hand-picked or staged to create a perfect marketing story.

Why Didn’t the Family Accept the Pirates’ Offer?​

Instead of taking the Pirates' 30-year ticket deal, the family chose to auction the card through Fanatics Collect, with a portion of the proceeds going to L.A. fire relief efforts.

The Pirates expressed disappointment but extended an invitation for the family to visit PNC Park for a special experience. However, the family declined, citing privacy concerns.

Why Are Collectors Upset?​

The controversy surrounding the Skenes Debut Patch card stems from several issues:

1. Lack of Public Verification – Unlike most big pulls, this one was not shared on social media by the winner or a known hobby figure.
2. Potential Conflict of Interest – The card’s manufacturer (Topps/Fanatics) is also running the auction, leading some to suspect insider control.
3. Suspicious Timeline – The redemption was submitted on January 3, but wasn’t announced until January 21—long after hobby boxes continued to sell at inflated prices.

Additionally, Topps’ own social media posts on January 4 and 8 continued to hype the card as "still out there," even though it had already been redeemed.

For a hobby that has long been plagued by manipulated pulls and insider deals, this raised serious red flags.

What Did Fanatics and Topps Say?​

Fanatics Collectibles CEO Mike Mahan responded to the controversy, stating that the family requested anonymity and that even he doesn’t know their names.

What Did the Family Say?​

The 11-year-old collector and his parents spoke to The Athletic, confirming that:

• The box was purchased through StockX.
• The redemption was pulled on Christmas morning.
• The father initially thought the redemption was a checklist card.
• The mother had no idea who Paul Skenes was at first.

What Did Paul Skenes Say?​

Skenes addressed the story on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers, stating that he was thrilled for the young collector. When asked about the worst possible outcome, he joked:

“Probably if a 50-year-old collector pulled it.”

Skenes’ enthusiasm helped shift some of the negative attention, but many collectors remained skeptical.

Where Is the Card Now?​

• The card was delivered to the family by a Fanatics executive.
• It was then sent to PSA for grading, where it received a Gem Mint 10.
• After grading, it was transported to Fanatics Collect auction house, where it will be sold in March.

What Happens Next?​

When the auction begins in March, collectors and investors will closely watch to see how high the bidding climbs.

The 11-year-old collector has already decided what he’ll do with the money—setting aside funds for college but also planning to buy more packs.

Regardless of how the controversy unfolds, the Paul Skenes MLB Debut Patch card will go down as one of the most talked-about hobby stories in modern history.