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Paul Skenes had a 1-of-a-kind rookie season for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and now his 1-of-a-kind rookie card has been found by an 11-year-old collector from Los Angeles, Topps announced on Tuesday.
The card features the former LSU star’s autograph and a patch from a jersey worn by Skenes during his historic rookie season with the Pirates.
Now, fans will find out what the special card will be worth on the open market.
The young collector could get a massive haul if willing to trade the card back to the Pirates, who have reportedly put together a package that includes 30 years’ worth of season tickets behind home plate at PNC Park in exchange for the card.
Skenes’ girlfriend, LSU star gymnast and social media sensation Livvy Dunne, is reportedly offering the card’s owner the opportunity to take in a game with her in a luxury suite at the ballpark during one of Skenes’ starts.
The card could hold very high value elsewhere, considering what the 22-year-old Skenes could accomplish during his major-league career. Skenes finished third in National League Cy Young Award voting following an outstanding rookie season in 2024.
Skenes led LSU to a national championship in 2023, being named the Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.