The recent auction of a unique baseball card featuring rookie sensation Nick Kurtz has shattered records, selling for a remarkable $516,000 early on January 6, 2026. This sale marks the second-highest price ever for a Topps MLB Debut Patch card, trailing only the $1.11 million sale of a similar card for Paul Skenes last year.
The 2025 Topps Chrome Update MLB Debut Patch card, which is a one-of-a-kind autographed version, was sold through Fanatics Collect during its January Premier auction. The sale far exceeded Kurtz’s light-hearted estimate when he first signed the card, where he jokingly valued it at “a couple hundred bucks.”
Kurtz, who recently earned the title of American League Rookie of the Year, has quickly risen in the collectibles market. His latest auction performance outstripped the previous second-place card, Jackson Holliday‘s, which had sold for $198,000. While Kurtz’s card set a new benchmark, he still has a significant gap to close to catch Skenes, whose card is currently on display at a Dick’s Sporting Goods store in the Pittsburgh area.
The MLB Debut Patch was introduced in 2023 and is worn by players during their first Major League Baseball game. After the game, the patch is authenticated and transformed into a unique card signed by the player, subsequently included in various Topps releases. The latest series, including the Kurtz card, can be found in the 2025 Topps Chrome Update collection.
Prior to this auction, Kurtz’s highest sale was his 2025 Topps Chrome Superfractor one-of-one autographed card, which fetched $86,620 last month through Goldin. This recent auction has significantly boosted the profile of Kurtz’s collectibles, establishing a new high watermark for his cards.
Other notable sales in the same auction included MLB Debut Patch cards for Marcelo Mayer, which sold for $54,000, and Luisangel Acuña, who recently transferred from the New York Mets to the Chicago White Sox, fetching $30,000.
The growing interest in baseball card collecting reflects a vibrant market where the value of unique and rare cards continues to rise. As players like Kurtz establish themselves on the field, their memorabilia gains increased significance among collectors and fans alike.
The list of top sales for Topps MLB Debut Patch cards, compiled by online card sales database Card Ladder, showcases the escalating prices and demand for these unique collectibles. Collectors and enthusiasts will undoubtedly be watching closely as the market continues to evolve.
