In the grand theatrical production that is Major League Baseball, there’s never a dull moment when the Los Angeles Dodgers take to the stage. Known for their champagne aspirations and high-octane payroll, they’ve unearthed yet another diamond that’s got everybody talking—rookie sensation Hyeseong Kim. And while his on-field prowess since his May 3 debut has the baseball world buzzing, it’s his cardboard doppelgangers that are fanning the flames of excitement among fans and collectors alike.
A veritable breath of fresh air, the 26-year-old Kim has burst onto the scene like a comet, dazzling the MLB skies with his stellar .386 batting average and a near-celestial OPS of .985 over a mere 31 games. Already, Kim is being etched into the annals of Dodgers folklore as a fan favorite. But it isn’t just his game-day heroics grabbing headlines. No, indeed—his sparkling rookie cards are taking eBay and other collector havens by storm, creating a frenzy reminiscent of the California Gold Rush, only this time it’s Kim’s rookie cards shimmering at the end of the tunnel.
To appreciate the magnitude of Kim’s impact, one only needs to glance at the feverish market activity surrounding his 2025 Topps Series 2 cards. It’s no surprise these collectibles are riding a surging wave—Kim is seemingly everywhere within this top-tier set, from base offerings to gleaming foils, autographed gems to nostalgic throwback inserts. Each card is a glistening ticket to the rookie’s remarkable tale, and collectors from all corners are paying rapt attention.
Let’s delve into the headline-grabbing, high-stakes drama of Kim’s most sought-after treasures: the redemption autos. Since their layered debut, Kim’s signed redemptions have catapulted past the four-figure threshold, with transactions reported between $1,200 and $1,704. These aren’t your grandmother’s dusty attic curios anymore; these are prime-time contenders in the card collecting cosmos.
Then there are the rarities, those one-of-a-kind and low-numbered parallels that have collectors sharpening their bidding pencils. Take, for instance, a Gold Foil 1/1 that snagged $650, a classy Black Diamante out of 10 that nabbed $600, and a Fireworks Foil, also out of 10, which lit up the bids at $350. Among these luminaries is a Red Fireworks Foil out of 5, drawing in discerning eyes and imaginations.
Intrigue continues to cascade with Kim’s 1990 Topps Baseball Mojo Foil RC—an exquisite nod to the bygone era of baseball cards, trimmed with retro charm and those beloved Dodger Blue borders. With raw versions going for around $10 and the coveted autographed editions inching towards the $400 mark, it’s no wonder the hobby is starry-eyed.
But the plot thickens, with one particular standout sparking pure curiosity: Kim’s Golden Mirror Variation. In an unexpected yet beguilingly appealing twist, this card captures the rookie mid-press conference, evoking a quirky charm that’s piquing collector interest. The listings showcase price tags ranging from a respectable $150 to a confident $425, underlining just how collectible this oddball moment has become.
Yet Kim’s narrative doesn’t end here. The orange foil auto from his Flagship Real One card, with its dramatic shade matched only by its coveted nature, is creating its own intrigue. Numbered to 25, one redemption recently danced off the market floor at an enviable $1,704, while another lounges enticingly on eBay, set at $1,500—a true testament to Kim’s magnetism.
When casting a glance over the broader 2025 Topps Series 2 market landscape, it’s impossible to overlook the stunning truth: Kim claims three out of the top 20 sales topping $1,000. This is within the illustrious company of baseball titans like Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki, making it all the more impressive. The Dodgers, ever the dominant force, are responsible for commanding 16 of the top 20 sales tracked by Card Ladder—a notable feather in their cap.
Kim’s rise in the MLB ranks parallels his rise in hobby prominence; as he adeptly toggles between second base and center field, his cardboard legacy grows ever sturdy. Whether he’s lauded for his defensive acuity or recognized as the crown jewel in a prized collection, Hyeseong Kim is more than just a rookie—he’s a phenomenon to reckon with. And while they may say you can’t win them all, collectors far and wide are certainly trying their best when it comes to securing Kim’s illustrious memorabilia.
While the baseball season continues its spectacular voyage, Kim’s dazzling narrative leaves no doubt: he’s the rookie whose cards—and career—are worthy of our unwavering attention, and collectors, it seems, are already all in.
