Ten Terrific CGC-certified Cards of NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes
Posted on 12/5/2024
To say that Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes took the baseball world by storm during the 2024 season would be an understatement. The MLB hasn't seen a pitching prospect dominate batters like this in years, already making him one of the most exciting pitchers in the league at just 22 years old.
It is a rarity that a young pitcher becomes must-see TV, but the hype that followed Skenes since Pittsburgh drafted him No. 1 overall in the 2024 MLB Draft was deserved. The former LSU star joined the Pirates and flew through the minor leagues, excelling at every level and looking like he was major league ready from the start. Skenes pitched only one game for Pittsburgh's rookie-level affiliate before being called up to Single-A. He then spent less than a week in Single-A before being promoted once again to Double-A.
The hurler continued his meteoric rise in 2024, starting his first full rookie season in Triple-A with the Indianapolis Indians. In a little more than 27 innings pitched, he earned a 0.99 ERA with 45 strikeouts. Within weeks of the new season beginning, Skenes was called up to the majors and made his MLB debut on May 11. The young flame thrower became a starting MLB pitcher in less than a year, and it was immediately evident that Pittsburgh had found their new ace.
In his MLB debut, Skenes threw 17 fastballs that were clocked at 100 mph or more in a no-decision performance. In his second start six days later, he struck out 11 batters, throwing six innings without allowing a single hit. Skenes had officially arrived, and he never looked back.
A couple months later, the young pitching phenom was selected to the 2024 All-Star Game, which was a first for a rookie that was the No. 1 overall draft pick. He was not only selected for the prestigious mid-season event but also was selected as the starting pitcher for the National League, making him only the fifth rookie ever to earn that honor.
Skenes would go on to record his 143rd strikeout on September 9, breaking the Pirates franchise record for strikeouts in a single season by a rookie. He finished his first MLB season with an impressive 1.96 ERA, 170 strikeouts and an 11-3 record in 23 starts. For his efforts, Skenes was named NL Rookie of the Year, capping off one of the greatest debut seasons of any starting pitcher in MLB history.
Ten Terrific Cards of Paul Skenes
2023 Bowman Draft Draft Night #BDN-7 Paul Skenes
Through the years, Bowman has become the go-to brand for finding some of the earliest cards of young baseball stars. They often become some of the most sought-after cards of a player's earliest years in the league. This particular Bowman Draft card is an ode to Draft Night, when Paul Skenes was selected No. 1 overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates. To top it off, this copy earned the coveted grade of CGC Pristine 10.
2024 Topps Now #179 Paul Skenes
Topps Now does an amazing job of commemorating sports moments in real time. Of course, with a top prospect like Paul Skenes, collectors eagerly awaited his MLB debut and the cards that would follow. The 2024 Topps Now #179 card does exactly that, immortalizing the pitcher's first-ever MLB start on May 11, 2024. The historic moment captured on this card is now preserved in CGC's crystal-clear holder and earned the best grade a card can receive: CGC Pristine 10.
2023 Bowman Draft Mood Ring #MR-1 Paul Skenes
One of the more fun designs of an early Paul Skenes card, the 2023 Bowman Draft Mood Rings insert is bold and stands out compared to base Bowman issues. With a colorful psychedelic background and a full shot of Skenes pitching on chrome card stock, this is one of the more exciting inserts to chase of the young pitching phenom.
2023 Bowman Draft '54 Flag Variations #54FV-1 Paul Skenes
Another interesting and valuable card from the 2023 Bowman Draft set, the '54 Flag Variations Paul Skenes pays tribute to his home state of California. Born and raised in Orange County, California, the pitcher is seen in a pitching position with the California state flag used as a vertical background to anchor the image. Serial numbered to only 54 copies printed, this is one of the rare cards of the 2023 Bowman Draft set.
2024 Bowman Mega Box Chrome Prospects #BCP-125 Paul Skenes - Purple
Although early Bowman base cards are desirable, the company's various colorful parallels are always preferred, with the lower the print run the better. With numerous colors to chase, this Purple parallel numbered to 250 copies is one of the more attractive options found within 2024 Bowman Mega Boxes. Speaking of attractive, the gold and black CGC Pristine 10 label elevates this copy to new heights.
2023 Panini Stars & Stripes USA Silhouettes Signatures Jerseys #SIL-PS Paul Skenes
Throwing it back to his time with the USA National team, this Panini Stars & Stripes issue shows a baby-faced Paul Skenes, pre-mustache. The card includes a piece of his game-worn USA jersey and also includes a hand-signed autograph. Making the card even more unique, the young pitcher signed his name spelling out each letter in "Paul." He would later shorten the signature of his first name, removing the defined "A" and "U" and instead putting the emphasis on just the "P" and "L."
2023 Bowman Draft Chrome Prospects Autographs #CDA-PS Paul Skenes
Bowman's series of "1st Bowman" cards are highly sought-after when it comes to young MLB stars and Paul Skenes' card is no different. While the base version is a must-have for any Skenes collection, the autographed version is obviously the most coveted. Penned in blue ink, the on-card signature added to an already-popular card makes this a gem of any Skenes collection.
2023 Bowman Draft Glass Autographs #BGA-PS Paul Skenes
Another card that collectors chased in the 2023 Bowman Draft set was the Glass Autographs Paul Skenes card. The rare insert features a stained-glass background, giving it a unique look. Numbered to only 99 and with another blue-inked autograph, this rarity is one of Skenes' top cards from the earliest part of his MLB career.
2023 Bowman's Best Shellacked Autographs #SHA-PS Paul Skenes - Lava Refractor
This is another fun insert that features a playful background, this time from the 2023 Bowman's Best set. The Shellacked inserts include large, colorful bubble letters running vertically up the card behind an image of Skenes on the mound. The base Shellacked inserts are popular, but the autographed versions are highly coveted, especially when they're numbered to only 50 made.
2023 Bowman's Best Best of '23 Autographs #B23-PS Paul Skenes - Gold Lava Refractor
With the combination of a striking player image and a colorful geometric patterned background, this 2023 Bowman's Best card would thrill any Paul Skenes collector. Arguably the card has the most intense image of Skenes on our list, showing the fierce competitor at the end of his pitching motion, possibly captured just after he threw a 100-plus mph heater down the middle of the plate. Serial numbered to only 75 printed, this Gold Lava Refractor parallel has a large signature that sits prominently in the middle of the card and earned an autograph grade of CGC 10.
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