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Shota Imanaga isn’t just turning heads on the mound—he’s making waves in the hobby world too.

The Chicago Cubs lefty had his 2024 Topps Rookie Debut Patch Autograph 1/1 card sell for a stunning $82,961 in Goldin’s April Elite Auction. That makes it the fourth-highest sale ever recorded in Topps’ Rookie Debut Patch program.

The card isn’t just rare—it’s historic. It features the actual jersey patch Imanaga wore during his MLB debut, a six-inning gem on April 1, 2024, where he blanked the Rockies while striking out nine. The patch was removed after the game, authenticated by MLB and Topps, and topped off with Imanaga’s signature.

This 1-of-1 collectible is part of Topps’ exclusive Rookie Debut Patch lineup, introduced in 2023. Each card includes a game-worn patch taken directly from the player’s uniform after their debut and is guaranteed to be the only one of its kind.

While the final price was impressive, it wasn’t the highest we’ve seen. That honor still belongs to Paul Skenes, whose own Rookie Debut Patch Autograph card sold for a jaw-dropping $1.1 million—a modern record since 2022.

Imanaga, 31, came to Chicago after a successful career in Japan’s NPB, where he made 192 appearances with the Yokohama BayStars and earned two All-Star selections. In his first season in the majors, he delivered on the hype, finishing 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA and 174 strikeouts across 173.1 innings.

Cubs fans have plenty of reasons to keep watching, and collectors clearly aren’t far behind.