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Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes’ 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB debut patch autograph card sold for $1.11 million, including buyer’s premium, on Thursday. The record-setting sale for a Skenes card comes as his 2025 base salary stands at $875,000 and represents the priciest modern baseball card not featuring Mike Trout, whose one-of-one rookie card sold for $3.9 million in August 2020. The buyer’s identity has not been disclosed, and the sale was conducted through Fanatics Collect.

The one-of-a-kind card, which carries an on-card autograph and a patch from Skenes’ Pirates uniform during his major league debut, was developed by Topps for the 2023 season under MLB’s exclusive trading card license. Previously, the highest sale was $150,000 in a private deal for an Anthony Volpe card, with Jackson Holiday’s MLB debut patch autograph card fetching $198,000 at a Thursday auction.

Skenes, recognized as the National League’s All-Star Game starting pitcher, a Cy Young finalist and the 2024 Rookie of the Year, has generated a level of collector interest rarely seen in modern sports cards. Last Christmas, an 11-year-old Dodgers fan from Los Angeles pulled a Skenes redemption card from his gift, prompting the Pirates to offer a bounty that included 30 years of season tickets, a meet-and-greet with Skenes, two signed jerseys, and various private tours of PNC Park and spring training facilities. Skenes’ girlfriend, Livvy Dunne, also volunteered to host the card redeemer for a Pirates game in her suite, while television host Seth Meyers extended a VIP experience simply to view the card.

The family declined the bounty and instead began discussions with auction houses in early January before settling with Fanatics Collect. Kevin Lenane, Fanatics’ Marketplace vice president, flew to Texas to collect the card from Topps, then brought it to the family, had it graded by PSA, and returned it to New York. During a flight to California, Lenane shared a discreet moment with the pilot, who expressed curiosity about the heavily insured cargo.

At Fanatics’ Super Bowl LIX party in February, the card—displayed in a protective case on a wall—drew a crowd reminiscent of a prized work of art, according to Fanatics Collect CEO Nick Bell. Bell noted an unprecedented surge in calls and social media interest following the auction announcement. The 11-year-old fan, a follower of Shohei Ohtani, is now looking forward to a future meeting with Skenes, which Fanatics plans to arrange.

Proceeds from the sale are set to support college savings for the 11-year-old and his brother, with the majority earmarked for education expenses. Kevin Lenane mentioned that while a small portion of the funds might go toward future collectibles, most of the money will be directed toward college savings.