Firing up both baseball diamonds and eBay listings, 26-year-old Hyeseong Kim, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ freshest addition, is shaking up the Major League Baseball landscape and the world of card collecting. Since stepping onto the field on May 3, Kim’s knack for explosive performances has become a highlight of the season. Batting with a sizzling .386 average and boasting an OPS (on-base plus slugging) that’s dallying dangerously close to .985 over the course of 31 games, Kim isn’t merely capturing the hearts of fans—he’s establishing himself as a formidable force in the collectible card market.
In the realm of trading cards, where sentiment and speculation often intertwine, Kim’s rookie cards are playing more of a starring role than a supporting act. His 2025 Topps Series 2 rookie cards have ascended from mundane to must-haves, drawing eyes and bids across the collecting community. The set includes a spectrum of designs—base cards to gleaming foils, coveted autographs to nostalgic throwback inserts—all serving as a testament to Kim’s skyrocketing popularity and potential.
The top billing in Kim’s card saga is his redemption autos; these gems aren’t just turning heads, they’re turning profits, having breached the four-figure mark. With sale prices oscillating between $1,200 and $1,704, “sleeper pick” would be a gross understatement for these collectibles—more like a collector’s rallying cry.
But hold on, there’s more to this card narrative. The one-of-ones and low-numbered parallels are swooping in like rare butterflies, catching collectors in their net. Recently, a Gold Foil 1/1 waved goodbye at $650, a Black Diamante /10 danced off for $600, and a Fireworks Foil /10 practically combusted at $350. Somewhere in this fervor sails a Red Fireworks Foil /5, eagerly seeking its next conquest.
An intriguing gem in the crown of Kim cards is the 1990 Topps Baseball Mojo Foil RC, an epitome of retro-modernity with its Dodger Blue borders. Selling at around $10 raw, its flashy design is only overshadowed by its autographed counterparts, which confidently flirt with the $400 echelon.
The star of the show’s wildcard division is undoubtedly Kim’s Golden Mirror Variation card. Its snapshot of Kim mid-press conference shouts “unorthodox” yet whispers “captivating.” Clearly, collectors are charmed, with the market featuring listings ranging from $150 to $425 for this curiosity.
And let’s not forget the eye-candy of them all: the orange foil auto from the Flagship Real One series, corralled to a tidy 25 editions worldwide. A recent redemption of this sparkler fetched $1,704 on the market, with another lingering enticingly around $1,500 on eBay.
Kim’s rookie card sales are certainly holding their ground among the greats. Peering into the sales leaderboard, Kim contributes three spots out of the top 20 sales over $1,000 from the entirely sought-after 2025 Topps Series 2. Sharing this exclusive hobby line-up with luminaries like Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki, it’s no wonder the Dodgers claim 16 out of the top 20 positions tracked by Card Ladder. It’s not just impressive—it’s a conquest in cardboard form.
On the diamond, as Kim continues to navigate the intricacies of professional baseball, alternating his talents between second base and center field, his journey is mirrored by an equally thrilling rise in card value. Whether Kim is tracking down fly balls in the outfield or climbing card market price ladders, his rookie season promises intrigue, rapid growth, and ample rewards for those keen enough to invest.
For fans and collectors now keeping a watchful eye, whether from the bleachers or behind a computer screen, Kim represents something more significant than a rookie’s fleeting moment. He is a testament to the magic of potential, converting each swing of the bat into a narrative of possibility and profit. Floating around in the swirling sea of sports collectors is a sense of anticipation, as the journey ahead for Kim, both on the field and the marketplace, is poised to continue searing a brilliant path through the annals of rookie lore.