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MLB rookie Paul Skenes means business on mound, in sports collectibles hobby
In less than two seasons, Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Paul Skenes fast-tracked his way to the major leagues in spectacular fashion.
After becoming the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft pick, he had a whirlwind nine months during which he made stops at four progressively higher minor-league teams in the Pirates’ farm system.
On May 11, the 6-foot-6, 235-pound hurler toed the rubber in his major league debut. That game wasn’t quite a storybook tale for Skenes. He gave up three runs in four innings to the visiting Cubs, although he was clocked at over 100 mph on 17 pitches in the game.
But one week later, the Pirates faced the Cubs again, this time at Wrigley Field. That day, fans saw why there’s been such an enormous buzz surrounding Skenes. He spun six no-hit innings, striking out 11 Cubs with a dizzying arsenal (blistering fastball, slider, change-up and “splinker,” his combination splitter/sinker).
The memorabilia market built to a fever pitch as Skenes—a military product who starred for the Air Force baseball team before transferring to LSU—launched his MLB career.
Consider these prices paid for Skenes rookie cards on eBay in recent weeks:
• $7,877 on 67 bids for a 2023 Bowman Chrome autographed Red Refractor. Marked #5/5, this colorful issue—with its stained-glass-window backdrop—was graded PSA 10.
• $7,450 on 60 bids for a 2023 Bowman Draft autographed Sapphire Red. Graded SGC 10, this one was marked #1/5.
• $4,102 on 54 bids for a 2023 Bowman Draft signed Orange Refractor marked #4/25 and graded PSA 10.
• $3,150 on 44 bids for a 2023 Bowman Chrome signed Gold Refractor marked #39/50 and graded PSA 10.
• $3,000 on one bid for a 2023 Bowman Chrome Dual Autograph Refractor also signed by Dylan Crews, Skenes’ teammate at LSU. The ungraded card was marked #8/25. Another example of the same card (#12/25, also ungraded) sold for $2,751 on 65 bids.
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• $2,600 on 56 bids for a 2023 Bowman autographed Orange Wave (#25/25, PSA 10).
Along with hundreds of other Skenes signed rookies that brought four-figure prices, there were also bargains, relatively speaking. Prime example: An ungraded 2023 Bowman Chrome “Variation” Refractor (marked #14/99) sold for $355 on 22 bids. The photograph provides a unique look at Skenes; it’s a low-angle view of the pitcher on the mound, looking toward home plate,
Another enticing piece that escaped for a bargain price was a 2023 Leaf Colorful Combos dual-autographed card featuring Skenes with Pittsburgh teammate Oneil Cruz. One of only eight made, this rarity sold for just $81 on 27 bids.
But don’t let us get your hopes up: Skenes-signed cards issued by manufacturers are typically going for $250 and above. And those that go for lower prices often have a drawback. In the case of Leaf cards, the lack of an MLB license means airbrushed hats that don’t show team logos. (Also, read listings carefully; if it’s a “digital card,” you won’t be getting a physical item—just an electronic image.)
One other note: In early May 2024, eBay showed around 6,000 listings related to Skenes. Within two weeks, it had jumped to 8,100 as sellers scrambled to get Skenes items into the market.
