The Hottest Cards in the Hobby
The Rookie Debut Patch Auto is the platonic ideal of the Rookie Card. The MLB Debut patch appears on the jersey of each rookie who makes their debut in The Show. Along with an on-card auto, these 1-of-1s are as close as a collector can get to the moment when a player’s dream comes true, and their MLB story begins to be written. Let’s look at some of the best RDPAs in this year’s incredible class.
Elly De La Cruz, SS, Cincinnati Reds
player info
• .259 ba, 25 hr, 76 rbi, 67 sb in 2024
• first reds player since 1919 to steal second, third, and home in same inning
• first ss in mlb history to hit at least 20 hr and steal 60 bases
debut info
• june 6, 2023
• double, run, 2 bb
What They’re Saying
• “I’ve never seen anything even remotely close to this. He’s not from this world. Has there been a better switch-hitting, speed, power guy? The only comp I can think is Mickey Mantle, a young Mickey Mantle. – joey votto
Paul Skenes, P, Pittsburgh Pirates
player info
• 11-3, 1.96 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 170 K
• started 2024 mlb all-star game
• named finalist for nl cy young award
debut info
• may 11, 2024
• 4 IP, 7 K, 3 ER
What they’re saying
• “Paul Skenes was the most unbelievable thing most people have ever witnessed during a baseball game.” – air force assistant coach jimmy roesinger
Jackson Holliday, 2B, Baltimore Orioles
player info
• selected first overall in 2022 mlb draft
• son of former mlb player matt holliday
• 5 HR, 23 RBI in 60 mlb games this season
debut info
• april 10, 2024
• rbi in 7-5 win over boston red sox
what they’re saying
• “Jackson’s special, man. He’s got a work ethic that I definitely didn’t have as a 20-year-old. He’s really talented.” – teammate colton cowser
Jasson Dominguez, OF, New York Yankees
player info
• 6 HR, 18 H, 13 BB in first 26 Career games
• signed with yankees in 2019
debut info
• september 1, 2023
• hit home run on first pitch of first at-bat (off justin verlander)
• youngest player in mlb history to hit home run in first plate appearance
what they’re saying
• “Frankly, there’s probably no one higher on Jasson Dominguez than me. I think he’s going to be a great player in this league. I love the makeup; I love the person.” – manager aaron boone
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, P, Los Angeles Dodgers
player info
• signed 12-year, $325 million contract with dodgers
• won game two of 2024 world series to help los angeles win title
debut info
• march 21, 2024
• debuted in seoul, South Korea series against padres
What they’re saying
• “This country, this league, is completely different than what he was growing up in, playing over there, so everybody figured there would be some growing pains there. But he’s got elite stuff; he’s got a good head on his shoulders. We were pretty pumped to get him back there at the end of the year.” – teammate daniel hudson
Wyatt Langford, OF, Texas Rangers
player info
• named player and rookie of the month for september 2024
debut info
• march 28, 2024
• reached base twice (hit and walk) in 4-3 rangers win
what they’re saying
• “…you don’t understand how much he loves the game. I’m sure all the great players are the same way, but that’s why they’re the 1% of the 1%.” – wyatt’s father, michael
Jackson Merrill, OF, San Diego Padres
player info
• .292 BA, 24 HR, 90 RBI
• first padres rookie to make all-star game
debut info
• march 20, 2024
• debuted in seoul, South Korea series against dodgers
What they’re saying
• “I played in the World Series. But this guy was so much better than me at that age.” – teammate xander bogaerts
Jackson Chourio, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
player info
• 21 HR, 79 RBI
• upon signing, given largest contract to a player yet to play in mlb in league History
• youngest player on 2024 opening day roster
debut info
• March 28, 2024
• 1 Hit, 1 RBI, 1 Walk in 3-1 brewers win
What they’re saying
•“Something told me This is going to be a special kid. The way he approaches the game, the way he takes care of business, the way the ball sounds off his bat.” – Brewers field coordinator Nestor Corredor
Junior Caminero, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays
player info
• 2023 Southern league mvp
• 6 hr, 18 rbi in 43 mlb games this season
debut info
• september 23, 2023
• 1 hit, 1 run, 1 walk in 7-6 win over toronto
what they’re saying
• “Just that electric. I don’t know if I’ve seen somebody hit the ball consistently as hard as he does.” – rays hitting coach chad mottola
Evan Carter, OF, Texas Rangers
player info
• helped rangers to 2023 world series win, batting .300 with a home run, 9 doubles, and 6 rbis in 17 postseason games
debut info
• september 8, 2023
• hit, walk, and stolen base in 6-3 loss to oakland athletics
what they’re saying
• “He’s right up there. t is age, to do the things that he’s doing, the discipline and the calmness…” – manager bruce bochy
