The Los Angeles Dodgers, a team already not short on stars, appear to have found yet another diamond in Hyeseong Kim. A name that may not have lit up the radar in the offseason, but since his Major League debut on May 3, Kim has been quietly advancing from being just a roster addition to becoming a centerpiece in Dodger blues—and in wallet records, thanks to his rookie card value soaring to impressive heights.
At just 26 years old, Kim is no ordinary rookie. His performance this season is nothing short of sensational, batting at a stinging .386 average with an OPS nudging .985 over a mere 31 games. As Kim sends baseballs into outfield bleachers, he’s also sending collectors in a mad dash—scrambling to snag his rookie cards before they vanish from the secondary markets, only to reappear at skyrocketing prices.
The 2025 Topps Series 2 card set has become ground zero for collectors’ dreams. Every variety of Hyeseong Kim’s cards is being snatched up with an eagerness as fervent as a Dodgers’ home crowd in the 9th inning. From the standard base cards to dazzling foils, mind-boggling autographs, and delightful throwback inserts, Kim is omnipresent in this year’s set—and collectors have noticed.
Redemption autographs for Kim are the jewel in the crown of his card catalog. These aren’t your average rookie cards; they are potential showpieces, already transcending into the realm of four-figure sales. A signed redemption card for Kim has moved between $1,200 to upwards of $1,704—a marker of his escalating value and anticipated future impact.
Further down the collectible rabbit hole, one-of-one cards and low-numbered parallels are sparking intense interest. A Gold Foil 1/1 card went for a tidy sum of $650. Black Diamante /10 came close at $600, while a Fireworks Foil /10 exploded onto the scene with a $350 sale. For those with an eye for something rare, an elusive Red Fireworks Foil /5 is reportedly floating around, growing more intriguing as its popularity among collectors increases.
In a charming nod to nostalgia, Kim’s 1990 Topps Baseball Mojo Foil RC has become a hot ticket, driven by those vintage Dodger Blue borders. Collectors have snatched raw cards for about $10, with the autographed versions reaching up to $400—an investment with substantial flair.
A standout for collectors with a taste for quirkiness is Kim’s Golden Mirror Variation card, capturing him mid-press conference. Unusual? Maybe, but it has a distinct charm that’s proved captivating, with listings fetching between $150 and $425—an endorsement of the unique allure and collectibility.
Kim’s crown achievement may just be the orange foil auto from his Flagship Real One card, numbered to 25, which recently bagged $1,704, with another listing comfortably sitting at $1,500 on eBay. Such figures not only validate his immediate impact on the game but also forecast a trajectory of steady stardom in the league.
The sheer velocity with which Kim has raced into the top 20 sales over $1,000 within the coveted 2025 Topps Series 2 set is remarkable. He is sharing esteemed company, nestled in amongst hobby legends like Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki, with three significant entries in the top 20—each elevating Kim’s memorabilia value exceedingly.
As Kim continues to diversify his role, stretching his muscles between second base and center field, his presence and prowess deepen, both within the sport and amongst card aficionados. His progression is a narrative of ambition, skill, and a plunge into an ever-growing legacy.
The Dodgers are no strangers to having a stronghold in the hobby world, and Kim is only furthering that narrative. The 2025 Topps Series 2 set reflects this domination beautifully. Out of the top 20 soaring sales in the set, the Dodgers’ influence is unmistakable, claiming no fewer than 16 slots. Dominance on the diamond and the card market? Check.
Kim’s enigma isn’t lost on collectors either; instead, they are staking claims to his fleeting artifacts to safeguard a fragment of his burgeoning legend. As Kim patrols the outfield and charts his trajectory in Major League Baseball, so too does he dash up the card price charts. This rookie definitely deserves a watchful eye, as both his athletic and market potential unfurl.
Collectors, in their chase for the next auspicious investment, have already caught wind of Hyeseong Kim’s ascent, cashing in as they hop on the rookie card whirlwind. As Kim’s legacy burgeons, those holding his cards may well find they’re not only holding a piece of baseball history but a prosperous slice of hobby investing.
