Dumpster Diving Turns Up Panini Player Signature Package

2023 has been something of a dumpster fire for Panini. They sued Fanatics. Fanatics countersued. The NFL has attempted to terminate its license with Panini. So did the WWE.

Panini seems to spend more time in the courtroom than it does creating cards these days.

What’s the next logical step? For valuable Panini cards to be found in a literal dumpster, apparently!

Panini in 2023 – picture from eBay

The Panini dumpster find

On September 29th, the tweet below told a story originally posted on Reddit about a dumpster find.

Who is Jackson Merrill?

Jackson Merrill, the player whose unsigned cards are pictured in the tweet, is a 20-year-old shortstop in the San Diego Padres system. Merrill was the Padres 1st round draft pick in the 2021 draft, going 27th overall in that round. The 6’3”, 195-pound Merrill bats left and throws right.

Since being drafted, Merrill has played 200 minor league games in the Padres system and put up a strong .295/.347/.455 line, good for an OPS of .802. He completed the 2023 campaign with a 46-game promotion to AA.

Merrill is highly touted within the game. He ranked on a number of preseason prospect lists within the top 20 overall prospects in the game. He is ranked as the #2 prospect in the San Diego Padres system and appeared in the 2023 Futures Game.

So, Merrill is a prospect of some distinction and one whose autograph would have proven to be desirable to collectors. How did the cards end up in a dumpster instead of being signed and returned to Panini? We may never know….but if the story finds its way out, we’ll be sure to cover it here on Cardlines.com.

Jackson Merrill’s 1st Bowman card appears in 2021.

Final thoughts (for now) on the Panini Dumpster Find

While it likely isn’t Panini’s fault that these cards ended up in a dumpster, or at least they likely didn’t put them there, it’s another bad look for a company that’s had a tough year.

What’s the story behind the whole situation? We may or may not ever know. But it’s another interesting chapter in the hobby theme of 2023 that seems to be the “Fall of Panini”.

What’s your take on the Panini dumpster diving find? Let us know what’s on your mind at card_lines on Twitter.

More Cardlines Coverage of Panini’s Problems

Things Get Ugly Between WWE And Panini In Contract Dispute

NFLPA Terminates Panini Contract Immediately

Fanatics Strikes Back With Panini Countersuit

Panini Suing Fanatics For Antitrust Breach In Bombshell Lawsuit

Panini Has Sued Fanatics For Poaching Employees

Why Did Somebody Break Into Panini America?

Are Your Pending Panini Redemptions Going To Someone Else?

More in Stories »

Mike D.

Mike D

Mike D. has collected cards for over 35 years, since he bought his first pack of Topps at the corner store in 1987. His fandom,  collecting interests, and contributions to Cardlines center around baseball in general and the Baseball Hall of Fame specifically.

Mike's collecting focus is centered on graded cards, mostly rookie cards, of Hall of Famers and future Hall of Famers. Lately, he's been enjoying dabbling in graded minor league cards. A collector/investor with a "buy and hold" approach, Mike takes the long-term view with his collection.

Latest videos

Comparing Tag Grading to PSA: Slabs, Prices and More!

Cardlines May 26, 2025 7:30 pm

5 HUGE redemption in 6 boxes of 2025 Heritage?

Cardlines May 22, 2025 8:21 pm

A new VeeFriends release with 1% the print run of the first! (Must buy!?)

Cardlines May 21, 2025 8:01 am

I made a FREE ad for Arena Club Slab Packs (without them asking for it)

Cardlines May 19, 2025 6:05 pm

2025 Bowman Baseball Blaster Rip and Review (3 Boxes, Top Rookies!)

Cardlines May 16, 2025 8:01 am

How much PROFIT can you make ripping a FULL CASE of 2024 Optic Football?

Cardlines May 14, 2025 6:30 pm

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

CARDLINES NEWSLETTER

Keep up on CardLines articles, and receive exclusive content with expert analysis of hobby trends.

Popular Card Products

  • 2024 NFL Mosaic Mega Break

    2024 NFL Mosaic Mega Box: 8 Box Random Team Break

    $21.00

    32 Spot Random Team 2024 NFL Mosaic Mega 8 Box Break

  • A box of 12 action figures sitting on a table

    2024 NFL Mosaic Blaster Box: 10 Box Random Team Break

    $15.00

    32 Spot Random Team 2024 NFL Mosaic Blaster 10 Box Break.

  • 2022 Topps Update Series Baseball

    2022 Topps MLB Baseball Update Series Blaster Box

    $29.99

    Sealed Blaster Box of 2022 Topps MLB Baseball Update Series.

  • 2019 Topps MLB Series 2 Hobby

    2019 Topps MLB Baseball Series 2 Hobby Box

    $194.99

    Sealed box of 2019 Topps MLB Baseball Series 2 Hobby Box. 1 autograph or relic card guaranteed. Great rookie class.

  • 2021 Panini Prizm Baseball Cello

    2021 Panini Prizm Baseball Cello Box

    $69.99

    Sealed Box of 2021 Panini Prizm Baseball Cello. 12 packs per box, 18 cards per pack.

  • 2019 Topps Update Series Baseball

    2019 Topps MLB Baseball Update Series Hobby Jumbo Box

    $189.99

    Sealed box of 2019 MLB Topps Baseball Update Series Hobby Jumbo. 1 autograph and 2 relic cards guaranteed.

  • 2022 Topps Heritage MiLB

    2022 Topps Heritage MiLB Baseball Hobby Box

    $64.99

    Sealed box of 2022 Minor League Topps Heritage Hobby. 2 on-card autographs per box

  • 2023 Panini Elite Extra Edition Hobby Box

    2023 Panini Elite Extra Edition Baseball Hobby Box

    $79.99

    Sealed box of 2023 Panini Elite Extra Edition Baseball Hobby. 8 autographs and 2 memorabilia cards per box.

Related news stroies

© Copyright 2025 - All rights reserved Cardlines.com / Media Techs LLC - Sports Card News, Reviews, Releases and BREAKS - #thehobby.

Important: When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.