It seems like just yesterday when Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes was the consensus pick for National League Rookie of the Year.
The first overall pick in 2023 looked like a future perennial Cy Young contender after tossing six scoreless (and hitless) innings in his second career start in May, before following up with an 11-3, 1.99 ERA rookie campaign in which he started the All-Star Game and won the hearts of fans and collectors alike.
But collectors have shifted focus to a new hobby hero, as San Diego Padres rookie outfielder Jackson Merrill has turned heads by batting .292 with 24 home runs and 89 RBIs.
It doesn’t hurt that the 21-year-old has been historically clutch. According to CBS Sports’ Matt Snyder, Merrill’s five home runs in the ninth inning or later that either tied the game or put the Padres in the lead represent a record for a player his age.
While the winner of National League Rookie of the Year remains a debate, one thing is not in question, and that is Merrill’s collectability.
Already enjoying an advantage against Skenes as a position player — always a mark in the plus column when it comes to card prices — Merrill appears to finally be seeing some more action at the high end of his card market as the season enters its final days.
On Sept. 1, Merrill’s record card price was set with a $13,100 sale of his 2022 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Auto /5 on eBay. Then, Sunday night, that record was torn to shreds. His 2022 Bowman Chrome Superfractor Auto 1/1 nearly doubled that price, with PSA selling the card via eBay for $25,526.
For reference, highly touted Yankees prospect Jasson Domingnuez holds the public record for any baseball superfractor, with a $474,000 sale in Feb. 2022 — before he ever made his MLB debut. Dominguez has played in just 12 games for the Yankees in 2024, batting .200 in 46 plate appearances with two home runs and four RBIs.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.