An 11-year-old baseball card enthusiast from Los Angeles has made an exciting discovery: a unique card featuring Paul Skenes, the National League Rookie of the Year.

Topps announced on Tuesday that this special card, which boasts the autograph of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher along with an embedded patch from his game-worn jersey, has been located.
As the next step unfolds, many are eager to see how much this coveted item will fetch on the market.
Considering the card’s potential value, the young collector could reap a significant reward if they decide to engage in a trade with the Pirates. The team has presented a remarkable offer that includes 30 years’ worth of season tickets behind home plate at PNC Park in exchange for the card.
Additionally, Skenes’ girlfriend, gymnast and social media influencer Livvy Dunne, has added her own enticing proposition: she has invited the card’s owner to enjoy a game from a luxury suite during one of Skenes’ pitching starts at the stadium.
The card’s worth could be substantial given Skenes’ promising future. The 22-year-old athlete, who had an impressive rookie season, finished third in the voting for the NL Cy Young Award in 2024.
As the first overall selection in the 2023 MLB amateur draft, Skenes made his big league debut in May and went on to deliver one of the most remarkable rookie performances in recent history. After just 11 starts, he was named the NL’s starting pitcher for the All-Star Game and concluded the season with a stellar record of 11-3 and an impressive 1.96 ERA across 23 games.
Over the weekend, Skenes mentioned that he has not yet considered the possibility of signing a long-term contract to stay with the Pirates. Instead, he expressed that his primary focus is on aiding the team in its quest to become competitive again by 2025.