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The 2024 Topps MLB Debut Patch card of Paul Skenes has become one of the most hyped baseball cards in recent memory, sparking an intense search among collectors. Dubbed the “golden ticket” of the Topps Chrome Update product, the chase for this 1-of-1 card ended when an 11-year-old boy pulled the redemption. However, what should have been a feel-good story quickly took a turn as skepticism and conspiracy theories emerged within the collecting community.

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

Paul Skenes is a starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates and was the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of LSU. He made his MLB debut in 2024 and went on to win the National League Rookie of the Year. Off the field, Skenes has gained additional media attention due to his relationship with LSU gymnast and social media star Livvy Dunne.

The Debut Patch Card is part of a unique program that Topps (owned by Fanatics) launched in 2023. Every rookie making their MLB debut wears a special Debut Patch on the sleeve of their jersey. That patch is then removed, embedded into a one-of-a-kind autographed baseball card, and placed inside packs of Topps Chrome Update—the only product featuring these patches.

Due to their exclusivity and direct connection to a player's first Major League game, Debut Patch cards have become some of the most coveted rookie cards in the hobby.

Why Was This Particular Card So Special?

While all Debut Patch cards are unique, Skenes' version stood out for several reasons:

• He was the top rookie pitcher of 2024.
• His performance elevated his status among collectors.
• A social media frenzy, fueled by the Pittsburgh Pirates, turned the chase for his card into a mainstream event.

How the Pirates Helped Ignite the Hype

Two days after 2024 Topps Chrome Update was released on November 13, the Pittsburgh Pirates made a public offer to whoever found the Skenes Debut Patch redemption. The offer included:

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

The excitement escalated when Livvy Dunne added her own incentive—inviting the winner to sit with her in her luxury suite at a Pirates game. Late Night host Seth Meyers even joined in, offering VIP tickets to a taping of his show if he could simply “look at the card for a second.”

With national media attention, these offers skyrocketed demand for Topps Chrome Update hobby boxes, causing prices to soar and product to sell out rapidly.

How Much Is the Card Worth?

While the exact value of the Skenes Debut Patch card won’t be known until it goes to auction in March, past sales suggest it could fetch six or even seven figures.

For context:

• The highest-selling Paul Skenes card to date is his 2023 Bowman Chrome Draft Superfractor Autograph, which sold for $123,220 in September 2023.
• The most expensive Debut Patch card sold at auction was Junior Caminero’s, which went for $66,000 in December 2023.
• In July, a bounty of $150,000 was reportedly claimed for Anthony Volpe’s Debut Patch card.

Considering Skenes’ performance, popularity, and the added hype, many believe his card could surpass previous sales records.

Who Found the Skenes Redemption Card?

After months of speculation and a widespread nationwide search, Topps announced on January 21 that the Skenes Debut Patch redemption had been pulled by an 11-year-old collector in Los Angeles.

However, rather than being celebrated, the announcement sparked controversy due to the lack of details about the winner. Topps did not reveal:

• The child’s name
• Where the winning hobby box was purchased
• Any verification process

This secrecy fueled conspiracy theories, with some collectors questioning whether the discovery was authentic or if the manufacturer manipulated the process.

Why Did the Family Decline the Pirates’ Offer?

Instead of accepting the Pirates’ proposal, the family chose to auction the card through Fanatics Collect, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting L.A. fire relief funds.

The Pirates expressed disappointment but offered to bring the boy and his family to PNC Park for a VIP experience. The family, however, declined—citing their desire for privacy and safety amid the speculation surrounding them.

Why Are Collectors Upset?

The controversy stems from several factors:

1. Lack of Public Verification – The winner's identity was kept anonymous, leading to skepticism in an industry that has dealt with fraud and backdoor deals.
2. Perceived Conflict of Interest – The card’s manufacturer (Topps/Fanatics) is also the auctioneer, leading some to question whether Fanatics is controlling the outcome.
3. Suspicious Timeline – The redemption was submitted on January 3, yet the discovery wasn’t announced until January 21—long after hobby boxes continued to sell at inflated prices.

Many collectors felt misled, arguing that Topps allowed the chase to continue for weeks, fueling secondary market sales of Chrome Update boxes even though the grand prize had already been claimed.

What Did Topps and Fanatics Say?

Fanatics Collectibles CEO Mike Mahan defended the situation, stating that the family’s privacy concerns led to the delay in announcing the winner. He also claimed that neither he nor Fanatics knew the names of the father or son who pulled the card.

What Did the Family Say?

The 11-year-old and his family shared details with The Athletic, confirming that:

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

The family stated that they consulted two other major auction houses before choosing Fanatics Collect, but their decision has only intensified collector distrust.

What Did Paul Skenes Say?

Skenes himself addressed the situation on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers, stating that he was excited for the young collector. When asked what the worst possible outcome for the card could have been, he joked:

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

Skenes’ enthusiasm seemed to validate the moment, though it didn’t stop the online speculation.

Where Is the Card Now?

• The card was delivered to the family in Los Angeles by a Fanatics executive.
• It was then sent to PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), where it received a Gem Mint 10 grade.
• After grading, the card was transported to the Fanatics Collect auction house, where it will be listed for sale in March.

What Happens Next?

When the auction begins in March, collectors and investors alike will watch closely to see how one of the most talked-about baseball cards in history performs on the open market.

The 11-year-old has already expressed his intentions for the sale proceeds—he wants to use the money for his and his brother’s college education. But he also made one thing clear:

He plans to buy more packs of cards.

Whether or not the controversy dies down, the Paul Skenes MLB Debut Patch card will go down as one of the most memorable modern-day hobby stories—for better or worse.