Paul Skenes Cards: Top Picks and Early Highlights
That didn’t take long. Less than one year after being taken with the first pick in 2023 draft, Paul Skenes is a major leaguer. Collectors had plenty to chase of the flame-thrower already, though. Some of these cards even predate his turning pro by several years.
It remains to be seen when the first Paul Skenes Rookie Cards will arrive. Here’s a look at a handful of key early releases.
Top Paul Skenes Card: 2023 Bowman Chrome Draft Autographs
1st Bowman Chrome Autographs rule the baseball side of the modern hobby. Sure, Rookie Cards still get a lot of attention but when you’re looking for the card of a top prospect from the last 20 years or so, it’s likely got three things: Bowman, chromium stock and an autograph.
It’s no different for Paul Skenes. His 2023 Bowman Chrome Draft autograph will be his benchmark card for the duration of his career and beyond. It might not always be the most valuable but it will show his current place in the hobby, good or bad.
Besides the standard version, the 2023 Bowman Chrome Draft Paul Skenes autograph rainbow has another 20 parallels, all of which are numbered to 499 or less. The one-of-one Superfractor Autograph just so happened to be up for auction through Goldin at the time of Skenes’ MLB debut. It’s slated to close on June 1, 2024.
Skenes’ signature appears on several other inserts in 2023 Bowman Draft as well. Many of these have much smaller print runs but the standard Chrome autograph is still the go-to.
Buy on:
First Paul Skenes Cards, Period: 2019 Leaf Perfect Game Showcase
If you’re looking for the first Paul Skenes cards, you have to go back four years before he was drafted by the Pirates. He’s part of the 2019 Leaf Perfect Game Showcase set with a base card, autograph and several parallels for each. This is where top high school players gather, making for some extremely early cardboard appearances, similar to USA Baseball releases. It’s also a little odd seeing the pitcher on a card as a catcher.
Buy on:
First MLB Paul Skenes Cards: 2023 Bowman Draft / 2023 Bowman Chrome Draft
For those with a strictly MLB flavor in their collection, the first fully licensed Paul Skenes cards are in 2023 Bowman Draft Baseball. Packs also have 2023 Bowman Chrome Draft cards. This gives collectors two main cards to chase, each with their own mix of parallels. Bowman Chrome is the preference of many and carries a higher price tag. That said, it’s still much more affordable than his autograph in the same product.
Buy on:
The Affordable Early MLB Autograph: 2023 Bowman’s Best Best of 2023 Autographs
Once upon a time, in the days before Bowman Chrome, Bowman’s Best was the dominant rookie brand. That’s changed dramatically over the years but Bowman’s Best continues on. Still, the brand stresses on-card ink and MLB uniforms and logos. With top players and draft picks quickly soaring to prices that are daunting to many, Bowman’s Best offers a more affordable alternative.
Skenes is in 2023 Bowman’s Best. It follows the pattern of lower value and it’s ceiling isn’t nearly as high. But that’s probably not a bad thing for those wanting an autograph from the top pick in the 2023 draft.
Buy on:
MLB Debut: 2024 Topps Now #179
The first Paul Skenes card following his MLB debut arrived just hours after his debut courtesy of 2024 Topps Now Baseball. Available for 24 hours on the Topps website, it uses an in-game photo. A version with a piece of ball from the game was also available separately.
Also notable is the RC badge on the front. This is an indication that Paul Skenes Rookie Cards will be available later in the year. Had it been marked with “Call-Up” instead, it would have meant that they’d be held back until 2025. Topps has not announced when Skenes’ first in-pack Rookie Cards will be available.
A full list of Paul Skenes cards is available in the Beckett database.
