In the glitzy world of Major League Baseball, where pop stars often brief the ceremonial first pitches and billion-dollar payrolls are more norm than exception, the rise of a rookie can often feel like a breath of fresh air. Enter Hyeseong Kim, the 26-year-old rookie sensation for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who’s been lighting up not just the field but also the hearts and wallets of collectors and fans alike. Since his debut on May 3, Kim has been on a tear, wielding a bat like a magic wand and turning every at-bat into an invitation to witness greatness live. Sporting a stunning .386 batting average and an OPS tipping close to .985 over merely 31 games, Kim is swiftly establishing himself as a must-watch phenomenon.
But the allure doesn’t stop on the diamond. Kim’s rise is mirrored in the collectible card market, where his 2025 Topps Series 2 rookie cards are transforming into must-have treasures. From plain base cards to the shimmering foils, eye-catching autographs to vintage-inspired inserts, Kim’s likeness is as ubiquitous as Dodger Dogs in Chavez Ravine. This development is sending shockwaves through the community of baseball card aficionados, sparking fervor reminiscent of a bestseller on a Black Friday retail shelf.
At the apex of this card renaissance are the autograph redemption cards—those elusive beauties that blend exclusivity with artistry. Some of Kim’s signed redeemables have already skyrocketed to four-digit sales, with few fetching amounts between the zones of $1,200 to an eyebrow-raising $1,704. Just a month ago, these may have been considered under-the-radar gems; today, they’ve transcended into the realm of sought-after relics.
And then, there are the scarce, artistically enshrined masterpieces like the one-of-ones and limited-edition parallels, eagerly scooped up by collectors faster than a quicksilver Los Angeles sun. Among these, a Gold Foil 1/1 marked its luxury with a $650 sale, closely followed by a Black Diamante /10 achieving $600, and a Fireworks Foil /10 igniting interest at $350. Another rarity, a Red Fireworks Foil /5, is lurking in the market, definitely in the crosshairs of eagle-eyed collectors.
Kim’s 1990 Topps Baseball Mojo Foil RC is not to be overlooked either, exuding retro charisma with a splash of Dodger Blue bordering the edges. Raw copies of this card are trading at around $10, while their autographed brethren are inching towards a cool $400. Such is the allure of Kim that even peculiar curiosities like his Golden Mirror Variation card, depicting the rookie in the thick of a press conference, have found their fan following. And why not? It’s an eccentric piece of collectible curiosity that merges unrehearsed spontaneity with Kim’s undeniable charm.
The Flagship Real One card, cloaked in orange foil and numbered to a scarce 25, is another jewel in this burgeoning card kingdom. Recently, a redemption for this rarity secured $1,704, while its prospect cousin gleams on eBay at $1,500, coaxing potential buyers into its orbit.
Unsurprisingly, Kim owns three of the top 20 sales over $1,000 from the entire 2025 Topps Series 2 collection. Considering he’s sharing catalog space with the illustrious Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki, and still carving out a striking impression, that’s a feat of note. In fact, the Dodgers collective holds sway over 16 of the top 20 transaction volumes tracked by Card Ladder, underscoring their pervasive dominance in this year’s set. For those questioning who’s the king of the card kingdom in 2025, the Dodgers, with Kim at the forefront, make a compelling case.
As Kim continues to expand his playing role—flashing his versatility from second base to center field—so does his pervasive influence on the collectors’ market. Whether he’s majestically tracking fly balls in the outfield or subtly inflating the value of cardboard commodities featuring his likeness, Kim embodies a story of meteoric rise, both as a player and a cultural artifact.
Those tuned in to the card collecting zeitgeist have taken notice, much like fervent archaeologists unearthing a newfound civilization. For baseball enthusiasts and traders with a knack for appreciating talent in its infancy, Hyeseong Kim is not just another rookie; he’s a revelation.
