The Los Angeles Dodgers, renowned for their heavy-hitting lineup and deep pockets, appear to have unearthed another diamond—this time from the roster, not the payroll. Meet Hyeseong Kim, a 26-year-old rookie who has not only been turning heads in major league baseball with blistering stats but has also become a darling of the sports card collecting community. Since his MLB debut on May 3, Kim has sent both his batting average and the heart rates of collectors skyrocketing, and his stock in the hobby world shows no signs of cooling.
Boasting a sizzling .386 batting average and an OPS teasing .985 over the span of just 31 games, Kim isn’t just making a name for himself on the field. He’s also capturing the imaginations—and wallets—of collectors as his 2025 Topps Series 2 rookie cards turn into prized collectibles. From base editions to glossy foils, and autographs to nostalgic insert cards, Kim is everywhere in this new release, and enthusiasts are taking notice in a big way.
At the root of this frenzy are the redemption autograph cards, fast becoming the holy grail for Kim’s new fandom. These gems have already shattered the thousand-dollar ceiling, with the more sought-after examples raking in between $1,200 and $1,704. Gone are the days these cards were hidden treasures; now, they’re definitive centerpiece items in any serious collection.
Meanwhile, for those looking to nab something even more exclusive, the market is teeming with one-of-ones and low-numbered parallels. A Gold Foil 1/1 recently commanded a sale of $650, while its Black Diamante /10 counterpart netted $600, and a Fireworks Foil /10 blazed through at $350. Not to be outdone, the eye-catching Red Fireworks Foil /5 is stirring up its own buzz, sparking curiosity every time a listing appears.
Adding a touch of retro allure, Kim’s 1990 Topps Baseball Mojo Foil rookie card provides collectors with a nostalgic trip, framed by striking Dodger Blue borders. Even the non-autographed versions fetch around $10—not bad for a piece of cardboard—while their signed siblings escalate to prices nearing $400, a testament to their desirability among aficionados.
Standing out for sheer oddity is Kim’s Golden Mirror Variation card, which captures the young athlete mid-press conference. While possibly unconventional, the card’s quirky charm has collectors forking out between $150 and $425 just to say it’s theirs.
As if the variety weren’t enough, there’s more: Kim’s Flagship Real One card comes with an orange foil auto edition, numbered to a mere 25 copies. One such redemption commanded a final bid of $1,704, while another yet unsold but hotly-watched listing is holding firm at $1,500.
Overall, three of the top 20 sales to break the $1,000 barrier from the 2025 Topps Series 2 set have been Kim’s cards—not a trivial feat in a lineup featuring superstar collectables from names like Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki. The Dodgers, as an ensemble, have claimed 16 of this set’s top 20 sales, a testament to their dominance in both realms of sport and collectibility.
As Kim’s role with the Dodgers grows, with him nimbly splitting duties between second base and center field, so too does his influence in the hobby world. Whether he’s blazing across the outfield with nimble prowess or gradually ascending collector wishlists, Kim has become a rookie to be reckoned with—or perhaps better yet, a rookie to be eagerly collected.
No doubt, sport collectors, both veteran and novice, are already tuning in, closely following his career trajectory and the market pulse of his cards. Each stat-packed game and each subsequent auction close promises thrilling chapters still to be written in this fledgling baseball and collecting legacy. So, keep your cards close and your bidding fingers poised—Hyeseong Kim’s rookie season is one fascinating ride to watch, for both the love of the game and the love of the hobby.
