In the sprawling, sun-kissed lands of Southern California, where stars are as common as palm trees and the allure of Hollywood extends even into the realm of sports, the Los Angeles Dodgers have unearthed yet another diamond in the rough. This time, it’s not hidden within their deep pocketbooks or record payroll, but rather at the hands of a rookie named Hyeseong Kim. A fresh face on the baseball scene, the 26-year-old has been sending excitement down the spine of Chavez Ravine since his debut on May 3, causing not only ripples in Major League Baseball but also veritable tidal waves in the hobby world of collectors.
Kim’s performance on the diamond has been nothing short of a revelation. With an impressive .386 batting average and an On-base Plus Slugging (OPS) flirting dangerously close with the 1.000 mark, it’s no wonder fans have started viewing him as the next big thing. But while his actions on the field have garnered plenty of attention, it’s the impact off the field that’s lighting up the conversation among those who trade, buy, and sell sports memorabilia.
Kim’s rookie cards, particularly from the 2025 Topps Series 2 set, have become highly coveted treasures. These pieces of cardboard, imbued with glossy images and swathes of Dodger Blue, are being snapped up almost as quickly as they can be listed. From basic base cards to the more glitzy foil versions, through to autograph cards and throwback inserts, Hyeseong Kim is everywhere – and he’s all anyone in the collecting world seems to be talking about.
Among the most prestigious of these offerings are Kim’s redemption autos. These eight-by-ten centimeters of potential fortune have begun to command top-tier prices, with some already cresting the four-figure summit. Sales of these signed redemptions have been reported in the heady range of $1,200 to $1,704. Once considered sleeper picks, these cards are now sleepers no more, shaking awake the ardor of collectors eager to own a piece of Kim’s rookie season.
Delving further into the stratosphere of collectible cards, Kim’s one-of-ones and low-numbered parallels are establishing their own legacy. For instance, a Gold Foil 1/1 card recently fetched $650. Not far behind, a Black Diamante numbered out of ten secured a handsome $600. Meanwhile, a Fireworks Foil of the same rarity sold quickly at $350. Meanwhile, the elusive Red Fireworks Foil, numbered to just five copies, continues to elicit raised eyebrows and heightened biddings across online platforms.
However, it’s not just the modern flair that captures the imagination of the collecting community. Kim’s 1990 Topps Baseball Mojo Foil Rookie Card, swathed in nostalgia with its Dodger Blue borders, has also become quite the gem, accessible around $10 in its raw state. Yet its autograph-laden counterpart takes desirability to an entirely different level, approaching the $400 mark.
A particular favorite, which has been stirring buzz, is Kim’s Golden Mirror Variation—a card featuring the rookie in a mid-press-conference snapshot. While unconventional, this piece carries a peculiar charm, drawing collectors in and selling for prices that range between $150 and $425, showcasing that even offbeat charm can translate into collectible gold.
Not to be outdone, the orange foil auto from Kim’s Flagship Real One card, limited to 25 copies, sparked competitive bidding. One redemption for this piece closed at the impressive price of $1,704, while another patiently sits at a cool $1,500 on platforms like eBay, basking in the adoration and anticipation of the collectors.
Kim’s impact is monumental, considering that in a competitive 2025 Topps Series 2 set, where he rubs elbows with icons like Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki, three of the top 20 sales over $1,000 bear his name. The Dodgers have asserted their dominance across the product’s sales spectrum, capturing 16 out of the top 20 high-end transactions documented by Card Ladder, a feat that speaks volumes about the caliber of talent and market appeal converging in their lineup.
As Kim continues to carve out his niche on the field, splitting his duties between second base and center field, he simultaneously solidifies his standing in the hobby world. Whether cutting through the outfield with graceful speed or climbing through card price charts with dizzying acceleration, Kim is a rookie worth more than just a fleeting glance.
The fervor surrounding Kim is undeniably infectious, with collectors clambering to possess a fragment of his burgeoning legacy. Whether emphasizing his utility on the field or betting on his future potential in their collections, there’s no denying that Hyeseong Kim is a name to watch—not just for how he wields a bat, but for the excitement he continues to generate among both fans and collectors alike.
