The Los Angeles Dodgers, known for their knack for talent acquisition and a payroll that can intimidate the faint-hearted, have struck gold yet again. Introducing Hyeseong Kim, the 26-year-old rookie sensation who has been turning heads and sending collectible trading card prices into orbit since his MLB debut on May 3rd. Kim’s impressive .386 batting average and near .985 OPS over 31 games have firmly established him not just as a Dodgers’ darling, but also as the newest darling of card collectors everywhere.
Indeed, the 2025 Topps Series 2 rookie cards featuring Kim are experiencing a meteoric rise, mirroring the player’s own rapid ascent. From straightforward base cards to fanciful foils, striking autographs to nostalgic throwback inserts, Kim’s presence in this set is undeniable. Collectors, keen to snatch a piece of the next big thing, are taking feverish action to own a Hyeseong Kim original.
The real gems in this cardboard gallery are the redemption auto cards featuring Kim. Such rarity has not gone unnoticed. A handful of these autographed redemptions have already breached the four-figure mark, recording sales between $1,200 and $1,704. The days of these cards being under-the-radar investments seem long past.
Not too far behind in worth are the one-of-one editions and low-numbered parallels. A gleaming Gold Foil 1/1 card made waves with a landing price of $650, while a sophisticated Black Diamante out of 10 commanded $600. Meanwhile, the lively Fireworks Foil out of 10 lit up the market at $350. A particularly scarce Red Fireworks Foil out of 5? Well, that one is a hot topic of discussion amongst collectors, drawing both eyes and bids.
Kim’s 1990 Topps Baseball Mojo Foil Rookie Card has a retro charm that collectors can’t seem to resist—available at an approachable $10 for unautographed cards, it becomes a treasure, climbing up to $400, when signed. It’s that nostalgic blend of retro flair and Dodger Blue borders that manages to strike a chord with enthusiasts longing for a throwback to simpler baseball card collecting days.
Amid these vibrant collectibles, one card that piques curiosity purely for its novelty is the Golden Mirror Variation. Featuring Kim mid-press conference, it offers an unexpected, yet endearing look at the rookie away from the baseball diamond. This unconventional snapshot caught in foil has wooed buyers with listings surging between $150 and $425.
Adding to the allure is the orange foil auto from Kim’s Flagship Real One card, limited to a mere 25 prints. A recent eBay auction saw one redemption fetch a cool $1,704, while another tempts collectors with bids starting at $1,500. The sensation surrounds these cards because they bridge Kim’s on-field charisma directly into the collecting arena.
Hyeseong Kim sensationally makes up three of the top 20 highest sales, each over $1,000, from the entire 2025 Topps Series 2 set. To put this in context: Kim is rubbing shoulders with hobby titans like Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki yet has carved out his own niche. Dodgers’ cards, by sheer volume and value, seem to be dominating this series with 16 slots in the top 20, as reported by Card Ladder. Not just surviving but thriving, Kim’s collectible stature is part of a broader Dodgers triumph within this set.
While Hyeseong Kim maneuvers his transitions between second base and center field, his influence extends beyond the green grass and into the collector’s world. Each game, each play serves as a testament to Kim’s skill set on the field while simultaneously reinforcing the allure of his trading cards. As he quietly patrols both the outfield and the collector charts, Kim embodies the dual dynamism of an up-and-coming player who’s already a professional on the Dodgers stage and a household name in the collectible hobby.
Fans and collectors agree: when it comes to Hyeseong Kim, whether it’s on the field or in their collections, keeping an eye peeled might just be the smartest play.
