In the sun-drenched realm of Los Angeles baseball, where talent and charisma intertwine to create legends, emerges Hyeseong Kim. But this tale isn’t your typical rags-to-riches story unfolding on the diamond. Instead, it’s a saga of box scores and trading cards, where Kim’s rookie season is a spectacle not just for the MLB but for the bustling world of sports memorabilia collectors.
Since donning the Dodgers jersey on May 3, 26-year-old Kim has been a revelation, flaunting a batting average of .386 and an OPS flirting near .985 over a span of 31 games. In a league obsessed with stats and star players, Kim’s numbers are enough to make even seasoned analysts pause and recalibrate their projections. What fans see at the ballpark is a player swiftly becoming a staple in the Dodgers’ lineup, balancing his time between second base and center field.
Meanwhile, a quieter yet fervent frenzy unfolds in a different arena—a world where Hyeseong Kim is not just a player but a sought-after commodity. The 2025 Topps Series 2, featuring Kim’s rookie cards, has stormed the e-marketplace with the force of a Category 5 collector’s hurricane. From the modest base cards to the illustrious autographed editions, his presence in this latest set is ubiquitous.
Leading the charge in this collectible crusade are the redemption autographs, where Kim’s signed cards have shattered the four-figure barrier, with sales orbiting between $1,200 and $1,704. Such figures aren’t the whispered secrets of savvy collectors anymore; they’re bold proclamations in the world of trading cards.
The allure doesn’t stop there. One-of-a-kind cards and those with limited production runs are making waves. A Gold Foil 1/1 set someone back $650, while a Black Diamante /10 claimed $600, and a Fireworks Foil /10 ignited at $350. Even rarer is the Red Fireworks Foil /5, captivating the hearts and wallets of collectors with its scarcity and intrigue.
Adding nostalgia into the mix, Kim’s 1990 Topps Baseball Mojo Foil RC, embellished with retro aesthetics and the iconic Dodger Blue edging, is rapidly becoming a collector’s must-have. Selling at approximately $10 for a raw version, the appeal doubles when autographed examples escalate towards $400.
No less fascinating is Kim’s Golden Mirror Variation rookie card. Showcasing Kim in a candid mid-press conference moment, these cards are a delightful deviation from the norm. Bizarre? Perhaps. But who doesn’t crave a little quirk in their collection? Enthusiasts are clamoring for these gems, registering on the market with price tags from $150 to $425.
Then we encounter the orange foil auto, a treasure from Kim’s Flagship Real One card, limited to a batch of 25. A redemption card was snatched up for $1,704 recently, with another lurking on eBay at $1,500, patiently waiting for its admirer.
It’s indicative of a powerful newcomer when three of the top 20 sales exceeding $1,000 from the entire 2025 Topps Series 2 lineup are tied to Kim’s trappings. Sharing this global stage with luminaries like Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki, Kim’s stride is impressive. The Dodgers, as a whole, have been towering titans in the series, clinching 16 of the top 20 transcendent sales as shown by Card Ladder’s keen tracking. It’s an unmissable testament to the franchise’s market sway.
As Kim cements his place on the field and solidifies his value in the collectors’ market, it’s becoming clear—this is one athlete worth keeping an eye on both in the dugouts and digital listings. His rookie cards are not just paper; they are the clay for crafting a budding legend.
Those acquainted with the passion of collection, who understand that an investment in a rookie card is an investment in potential, are well accustomed to the exhilaration of watching these dreamers evolve. For Kim, the narrative is just revving up, but the early returns—both on and off the field—suggest we’re in for one captivating season.
