When it comes to major league baseball, few things ignite as much excitement among fans as a famously storied team’s rising star. The Los Angeles Dodgers have a new name captivating their devoted fan base—and no, we’re not referencing their mega-blockbuster payroll. Enter 26-year-old rookie Hyeseong Kim, a name that’s on everyone’s lips as he blazes a path through Major League Baseball and increases his allure in the parallel universe of card collecting. Hyeseong Kim is not just sparking talk on the baseball field but on the eBay auctions, where fervent collectors are scrambling to own a piece of this phenomenon.
With a batting average of .386 and an OPS that teases the .985 mark over the course of 31 games, Kim is quickly attracting loyal admirers, not to mention serious attention from the scrutinizing eyes of hobby enthusiasts. Here lies a rookie basking in the limelight, who has people speculating that his rookie cards might soon be more valuable than a golden ticket to a sold-out playoff game at Dodger Stadium.
Naturally, Kim’s 2025 Topps Series 2 rookie cards are experiencing a rapid ascension in the hobby hierarchy. The collection spans a diverse array of editions—from standard base cards and shiny foils, to signed autographs and nostalgic throwback inserts. Quite frankly, Kim has become omnipresent in this new set, and collectors are eagerly noticing.
Let’s begin with the headlining acts: redemption autographs. These have skyrocketed past four-figure territory, with transactions ranging between a cool $1,200 and $1,704. This isn’t the treasure trove one discovers at the bottom of a cereal box; these cards have transitioned from sleeper hits to stunning mainstays in collections.
The elusive one-of-one editions and low-numbered parallels have emerged, commanding significant buyer interest. Celebrated sales include a Gold Foil 1/1 that fetched $650, a Black Diamante /10 deviously drawing $600, and a Fireworks Foil /10 bursting onto the scene at a fiery $350. Meanwhile, a Red Fireworks Foil /5 remains an alluring enigma, eagerly pursued by aficionados.
An exquisite piece of the Kim collection finds its form in the 1990 Topps Baseball Mojo Foil RC—a card drenched in retro charm and iconic Dodger Blue borders. Valued tentatively at around $10 raw, the autographed variants of this series garner up to $400, sparking a quiet frenzy amongst strategic collectors.
Adding a peculiar yet compelling twist is Kim’s Golden Mirror Variation card, which whimsically depicts him mid-press conference. Ostensibly unconventional, this card’s charm lies in its oddity, offering collectors a quirky side of the ordinary. A handful of these listings have materialized, enticing buyers with prices that dance between $150 and $425.
Then there’s the orange foil autograph variant from his Flagship Real One card—a limited edition piece, numbered to just 25 copies. One redemption for this sought-after gem recently closed at $1,704, with yet another resting triumphantly on eBay at a confident $1,500.
Within the vastly comprehensive 2025 Topps Series 2 set, Kim carves out his prominence, claiming three of the top 20 card sales exceeding $1,000. Sharing this space with stalwarts like Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki offers no easy feat. Yet, through a stellar symphony of play and popularity, the Dodgers secure their dominance over top-end sales, helming 16 of the top 20 tracked by the illuminated lens of Card Ladder. The statistical snapshot offers an intriguing glimpse into the market pulse, painting a dynamic picture of fluctuating trends.
As Kim’s role continues maturing—seamlessly switching between second base and center field—the narrative of his influence echoes louder in the collector’s domain. Whether it’s guarding the outfield or progressively forging upward on price charts, this rookie’s presence is inarguably riveting. Astute observers and collectors alike recognize they’re in the presence of someone potentially bigger than life.
The trajectory of Kim’s growing legacy is hardly lost on enthusiasts who are, without question, keeping their eyes peeled and their bids swift for a promising cluster now woven into the cultural fabric of America’s beloved pastime. As his cards soar in value and heartily occupy binders across the country, the rookie fever perpetuates its delightful and dizzying ride, one boastful home run—and card prize—at a time.
