Elly De La Cruz, Paul Skene’s ‘ultimate rookie cards’ highlight 2024 Topps Chrome Update release

On By Littum

Topps has officially released its long awaited 2024 Chrome Update Serieswhich the company calls “arguably the greatest baseball kit of the last decade.” Given the current hype surrounding the class of players with rookie cards in this set, the headline of Elly De La Cruz and Paul Skenesand their one-of-a-kind autographed Debut Patch cards that collectors will chase, that may not be an exaggeration.

First introduced last year, the MLB Debut Patch has been one of Fanatics’ most prominent innovations since the acquisition of Topps. Before each player’s first MLB game they play, a small patch is placed on the sleeve of their uniform. When the game is complete, the patch is removed, placed in a trading card that the player autographs, and it goes into a set and becomes a highly sought after and unique collectible. This is also currently done in the 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, there are plans to expand the program to those leagues as well.

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Over 150 MLB players who debuted between June 1, 2023 and May 24, 2024 have Debut Patch cards in this set. In addition to 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 complete 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.

Topps Senior Vice President of Product Clay Luraschi spoke Athletics about the set, the evolution of the debut patch, and what other types of maps to look out for in the Chrome Update.

For those who are not familiar, can you explain what Chrome Update Series is?

We make a Series One a Series Two and update in our flagship product. Our flagship product is mirrored by a product called Topps Chrome. Topps Chrome comes out in July and this is basically the second installment of that product. So this is Chrome Update. This captures a lot of key moments that happened throughout the season and basically updates the collector to what happened…what they didn’t see in the first installment.

How did the idea for the debut patch come about and was it difficult to get MLB on board?

The idea arose in the summer of ’22 in a brainstorming session, and the discussion was ‘How do you create the ultimate rookie card?’ The rookie card has really, if you go back to when the rookie card started, it’s really evolved. One of the most important rookie cards that most every collector knows is a few of the cards in the 1952 Topps set. These cards solidified what a rookie card is, and since then, a rookie card has had an autograph. A rookie card has had a piece of memorabilia on it. How you build on that is you take a patch that was on the uniform when that player debuted. So there’s like a real connection, a real bond to that moment.

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What has Topps learned after the first year of Debut Patches?

That’s almost three times as many (Debut Patch) cards as there were in last year’s product. So the first year was kind of like a test run, (it) gave us an opportunity to work with logistics, work with all the clubhouse managers, work with MLB on the approval, and there were a few glitches here and there, but I thought it went right smoothly in year one and it really helped us prepare for year two.


Paul Skenes wears an MLB Debut patch on his sleeve during his Major League debut during the game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on May 11, 2024. (Photo: Justin Berl/Getty Images)

Did Topps see an increase in sales or interest due to debut patches?

There was a ton of interest. We knew these cards would really shake up the market just because of the history behind what they were and how they were made. Certainly when the cards were drawn from packs, there was a lot of buzz, a lot of talk. There were a few key cards last year that people sought out, but this year the rookie card class is huge. It will solidify itself as one of the most important cards in the business, and this rookie card class will carry that. … I expect some of these cards to become some of the most sought after over the next decade. These cards and these names will really solidify this program as must have cards.

Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin recently made a comment about expanding the debut patch to NFL and NBA trading cards. Any updates on that?

These programs would not start until we are fully licensed, which will be in the near future. But yes, it is something we have an eye on. Looking to roll this out with many of our partners.

Being unique cards, Debut Patches are naturally difficult for collectors to pull out of packs. Does Topps see it as part of the fun that these hunts can go on for a while if no one opens the pack you’re in?

There are important maps out there that still haven’t been found. People buy boxes and put them away. But look, if they were in every package, they probably wouldn’t be as interested. This is why these cards are so special because there is only one of each. The thrill of the hunt is much of what this hobby is all about. And last year when people revealed these cards, it was amazing just to see the reaction when people found these. I’m really excited to see when someone gets an Elly De La Cruz or that Yamamoto or that holiday card, I mean, wow. That should set social media on fire.

Aside from the Debut Patches, what other cards stand out to you in this set?

There is a cool Billy Ripken/Holliday double autograph card.

We have a cool new effort called MLB illustrationswhich is an artistic rendering of players. There’s a cool double autograph card of Ohtani and Judge, the two players most expect to be the MVPs. There are many cool things.

Another cool element of the set is the first Chrome versions of the popular Home Field Advantage posts, which show players surrounded by local landmarks or iconic elements of their team’s city. Shohei Ohtani next to the Hollywood sign is definitely a desirable one.

Then there is also the introduction of “Lava Lamp Refractors” – a parallel that has both autographed and non-autographed versions.

But given the rookie class and the big chase cards in the set, this could be one that a lot of people keep sealed just to see how the value appreciates in the coming years. De La Cruz and Skenes in particular already have big money in the secondary market, so if they continue to grow big in the game, their Debut Patches could potentially turn into million cards. If anyone is lucky enough to find them.

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(All images unless otherwise noted: Topps)