A unique sports card featuring rookie player Nick Kurtz achieved a remarkable price at auction, selling for $516,000 on January 6, 2026. This sale marks the second highest price for a card in the Topps MLB Debut Patch series, trailing only behind the record set by Paul Skenes, whose card sold for $1.11 million last year.
The one-of-a-kind, autographed card was sold through Fanatics Collect during their January Premier auction. The sale exceeded Kurtz’s lighthearted initial estimation, where he jokingly suggested the card would be worth “a couple hundred bucks.” The price reflects the growing interest and value of sports memorabilia, particularly unique cards from the MLB Debut Patch series.
Kurtz’s card surpassed the previous No. 2 sale, which belonged to Jackson Holliday, whose card sold for $198,000. This significant sale not only highlights Kurtz’s rising star status but also demonstrates the increasing value of baseball cards in the collectibles market.
Introduced in 2023, the MLB Debut Patch is worn by players on the sleeve of their jerseys during their first Major League Baseball games. After the game, the patch is authenticated, removed, and incorporated into a unique card that the player signs, which is then released by Topps. The latest series featuring these cards can be found in the 2025 Topps Chrome Update collection.
Kurtz’s recent sale also eclipsed his previous high of $86,620, achieved just weeks earlier with his 2025 Topps Chrome Superfractor one-of-one autographed card, sold via Goldin. The auction results underscore the volatility and excitement within the sports collectibles market.
Other notable sales during the auction included MLB Debut Patch cards for Marcelo Mayer and Luisangel Acuña, which sold for $54,000 and $30,000, respectively. Both players are also gaining traction in the hobby, reflecting the broader trend of increasing interest in rookie cards.
As the market for sports memorabilia continues to thrive, collectors are keenly watching how Kurtz’s achievements on the field may further elevate the value of his cards. The record-breaking sales and the growing popularity of the MLB Debut Patch series signal a vibrant future for both players and collectors alike.
