When the Los Angeles Dodgers scout a player, the echoes of baseball’s mightiest payroll follow. But every so often, beneath the glittering gaze of the Dodgers’ expense ledger, a talent emerges that’s worth every penny—or perhaps, a trading card. Welcome to the major league buzz surrounding Hyeseong Kim, the 26-year-old rookie setting both Major League Baseball and eBay listings alight since his debut on May 3.

With a batting average that swings at pitches with seamless elegance, clocking in at a remarkable .386, and an OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) scaling the dizzy heights of .985 over a mere 31 games, Kim has etched his name not just into the hearts of Dodgers fans, but into the very fabric of the baseball card hobby. His lightning-in-a-bottle performance has sent collectors scrambling to snag a piece of the magic encapsulated in Topps Series 2 rookie cards for the year 2025.

The real gem at the center of this collector’s storm is Kim’s redemption autographs—hot assets that aren’t just dazzling finders but heavy hitters in their own right. These precious redemptions have effortlessly stepped into the spotlight, crossing the four-figure line with sales that dance between $1,200 and $1,704. Far from flying under the radar, they have become the trophy fish that collectors are keen to reel in.

In the intricate hieroglyphics of collectible cards, certain versions stand out and shimmer—one-of-ones and low-numbered parallels, the candied jewels in a collector’s stash. Consider the Gold Foil 1/1 that cashed in at $650, or the Black Diamante /10 that charmed a handsome $600; a Fireworks Foil /10 fanned its own flames at $350, while whispers of a Red Fireworks Foil /5 tantalizingly drift through collector banter, poised to turn heads.

However, not all of Kim’s collectible cards come emblazoned with hefty price tags. The 1990 Topps Baseball Mojo Foil RC, with its cheerful retrospective theme and Dodger Blue embellishments, has found willing buyers at just $10 a pop, raw off the press—an approachable pile of nostalgia. Hooking a signed version from this series, though, navigates one into the waters of a $400 commitment.

For those predilecting the peculiar, the Golden Mirror Variation mirrors Kim mid-press conference—a snapshot that stands out in its conference room glory. Sound a bit unusual? Indeed. Yet its unusual charm has sprinkled these listings with prices ranging from $150 to an audacious $425, a testament to how a slice of idiosyncrasy can be turned collectible.

Now, enter the orange foil auto from Kim’s Flagship Real One card, numbered to a scant 25—a collector’s elusive dream. Successfully claimed at auction for $1,704, one of these valuable cards hangs provocatively in the eBay display window at $1,500, waiting for the right bid to seal the deal.

Amidst this hustle, Kim occupies three out of the top 20 transactions over $1,000 from this particular set of Topps Series 2, sharing hallowed card space with the likes of Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki. Not a small feat by any stretch when considering that the Dodgers as a team claim 16 of the prime spots tracked by Card Ladder, the hobby’s favorite stat-keeper.

Kim’s star seems destined to rise even higher as he duly splits his on-field appearances between second base and center field, steadily expanding his influence both on the diamond and in the multi-dimensional realm of card collecting. Whether his prowess is being measured by perfect outfield catches or steadily climbing card market prices, Hyeseong Kim is a rookie sensation well worth chronicling—and most definitely, worth watching.

The surging sales figures make one thing abundantly clear: collectors have already taken notice. Kim is no longer just a rookie; he’s a name becoming synonymous with both MLB brilliance and hobby treasure alike.

Hyeseong Kim Topps Series 2