Topps has officially released its highly-anticipated 2024 Chrome Update Series, which the company is calling “arguably the biggest baseball set of the last decade.” Given the current hype around the class of players with rookie cards in this set, headlined by Elly De La Cruz and Paul Skenes, and their one-of-a-kind autographed Debut Patch cards that collectors will be chasing, that may not be an exaggeration.
The MLB Debut Patch, which was first introduced last year, has been one of Fanatics’ most prominent innovations since acquiring Topps. Before each player’s first MLB game they play, a small patch is placed on the sleeve of their uniform. Once that game is complete the patch is removed, put into a trading card that the player autographs and it goes into a set and becomes a highly coveted and unique collectible. This is also currently being done in MLS, for which Topps also has a trading card license. And with Topps acquiring the licenses for both the NFL and NBA in the coming years, plans for expanding the program to those leagues are also being made.
Over 150 MLB players who debuted between June 1, 2023 and May 24, 2024 have Debut Patch cards in this set. Beyond De La Cruz and Skenes, it also includes Jackson Merrill, Jackson Chourio, Shota Imanaga, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Colton Cowser and cover star Jackson Holliday (see PDF with full set checklist here and odds here).
UPDATE: The Pittsburgh Pirates have offered a bounty for the Skenes Debut Patch card that includes two season tickets behind home plate at PNC Park for 30 years and a host of other unique experiences and items.
Leave a Reply