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'Rare' Paul Skenes Rookie Card Sells For Absurd Price

Originally posted on The Spun | By Hunter Hodies | Last updated Mar 21, 2025 12:34 PM ET

Paul Skenes was a rookie sensation for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 2024 season.

After getting called up from the minors, he instantly became one of the best pitchers in the National League, finishing with an 11-3 record, a 1.96 ERA, and 170 strikeouts.

He's set to start Opening Day for the Pirates against the Miami Marlins on March 27.

During his rookie season, a young fan found a rare Skenes rookie card and eventually sold it for $1.1 million. The Pirates offered season tickets behind home plate for three decades, a meet & greet with Skenes, two Skenes autographed jerseys, a private tour of Pirates City, and a softball game for 30 people at PNC Park if the fan exchanged the card.

Even Livvy Dunne, Skenes's girlfriend, offered to host the fan in her private suite for a game if he exchanged the rookie card. The fan opted to not go with any of that and instead exchanged it for the money.

It's the most expensive non-Mike Trout card and per ESPN, the money that the family got from it will send the 11-year-old and his brother to college.

"Whatever they have in mind for their college, they're going to split down the middle as a savings," Fanatics' Marketplace vice president Kevin Lenane said.

While the Pirates and Dunne offered a king's ransom for it, the family opted to do what was best for them.

The Pirates finished the 2024 season with a 76-86 record and have missed the playoffs 10 seasons in a row. They haven't made the playoffs since the 2015 season when they won 98 games and lost in the NL wild-card game.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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