The Los Angeles Dodgers have a reputation for their star-studded payroll, but this season, their pride lies not just in deep pockets but in snatching up gems like Hyeseong Kim. The 26-year-old rookie has been nothing short of a revelation since stepping into the limelight on May 3. His sizzling .386 batting average and an On-base Plus Slugging (OPS) that’s flirting with .985 over a mere 31 games has him not only securing a place in the hearts of fans but also setting baseball card marketplaces ablaze.
In this era of not just playing the game but being a part of the collectible market, Kim’s face has become a recognizable one in the realm of baseball cards, particularly his 2025 Topps Series 2 rookie cards. They’re grabbing attention far and wide, from seasoned collectors to casual fans hopping onto the bandwagon.
Let’s dive into the crowning glory of any baseball card aficionado’s collection—redemption autos. If you thought Kim was a gamble, think again. His signed redemption cards have already broken past the local dive bar budget threshold, with sales pirouetting between $1,200 and $1,704. Gone are the days these were considered niche investments.
And there are the much-coveted one-of-ones and low-numbered parallels adding those extra grapes of allure to the buying feast. A Gold Foil 1/1 itself mesmerized a buyer to the tune of $650. Similarly, a Black Diamante out of a series of 10 paraded off with a neat $600. Meanwhile, a Fireworks Foil, similarly of 10, gracefully exited at $350, leaving a trail of eager eyes behind. The Red Fireworks Foil, a more exclusive club of five, has become the card equivalent of a socialite, attracting all sorts of attention.
Amongst these parallels, Kim’s 1990 Topps Baseball Mojo Foil RC also stands out, encircled with those dreamy Dodger Blue borders that have seen it become a collector’s candy at approximately $10 for the non-autographed version. Meanwhile, the autographed counterparts from this insert line race on with an impressive $400 mark in their rearview mirror.
Eccentricity also finds a friend in Kim’s Golden Mirror Variation, capturing the rookie amidst the peculiar backdrop of a press conference—possibly the least likely of action shots but oddly endearing and loaded with collectible charm. You’d find this capturing for anything between $150 to $425.
And let’s not gloss over the orange foil auto from his Flagship Real One card, a stunning signature garment numbered to just 25. Not long ago, a redemption for this archetypal gem closed its curtains at $1,704, with another tentatively awaiting eager suitors with a current proposal of $1,500.
Overall, when you scan through the top 20 card sales over $1,000 from the 2025 Topps Series 2 set, Kim stakes a claim on three, sharing the collectible dais with household legends like Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki. The Dodgers, seizing the hobby scene spotlight, shaped 16 of the top 20 sales tracked by Card Ladder. It’s not just a windfall; it’s a conquering.
As Kim establishes himself further—dividing his talents between second base and center field—his presence in the baseball card world burgeons. He stands as a testament to the enchantment that can seize a hobby, whether through patrolling the field with the grace of a panther or in the collectible card market where his prices ascend like helium balloons at a festival.
The magnificence with which Kim unfurls his ever-growing stardom has caught youthful fans, seasoned patrons, and card collectors alike in a heady whirlwind of admiration and investment. It’s abundantly clear: when a talent like Kim emerges, the world stops to watch, applaud, and for those savvy enough, invest.
