The baseball card market might’ve found its newest darling, and his name is Hyeseong Kim. According to SI.com’s Michael Terry, collectors are scrambling for 2025 Topps Baseball Series 2 Hyeseong Kim baseball cards following an impressive debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which included a .386 average through his first 31 games.
Terry documented multiple four-figure transactions for Kim’s rookie cards, with redemption cards leading the charge at prices ranging from $1,200 to $1,704. For a player who wasn’t even on most collectors’ radars six months ago, this rise feels like the early days of other breakout stars who caught lightning in a bottle.
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Breakdown of Hyeseong Kim Baseball Cards
Kim’s presence across the 2025 Topps Baseball Series 2 checklist gives collectors multiple options to chase:
- Flagship Real One Auto Orange Foil (#/25) – This is the crown jewel that’s commanding $1,500-plus on eBay, with one redemption selling for $1,704.
- Gold Foil 1/1 – A true one-of-one that fetched $650 in mid-June, once again proving that scarcity drives demand.
- Black Diamante (#/10) – Limited parallel that sold for $600, showcasing the premium on low-numbered cards.
- Red Fireworks Foil (#/10) – Eye-catching parallel that sold for $350 and is perfect for team collectors.
- 1990 Topps Baseball Insert Auto – Nostalgia meets modern collecting with redemptions selling for $400.
- Golden Mirror Variation – Currently listed between $152-$425, featuring Kim at the microphone.
- 1990 Topps Mojo Foil – This card offers a more accessible entry point at $10, ideal for budget-conscious collectors.
The variety ensures there’s a Kim card for every collector’s budget, ranging from the casual fan to the serious investor.
The $1,700 Card That Started the Frenzy
The Flagship Real One Auto Orange Foil redemption represents everything collectors love about modern baseball cards. Limited to just 25 copies, this parallel combines the prestige of an on-card autograph with the exclusivity that drives secondary market prices. The $1,704 sale on June 13 was a statement that Kim belongs in the conversation with the hobby’s elite rookies.
What makes this particular card special isn’t just the signature or the orange foil treatment. It’s the timing. Kim’s early-season performance created the perfect storm of scarcity and demand. Collectors who secured these redemptions early are likely feeling quite fortunate, while those who waited are now facing much higher entry points.
The Golden Mirror Phenomenon
Perhaps no card better captures Kim’s unique appeal than his Golden Mirror Variation. The image of Kim fielding questions shows a player comfortable in the spotlight, ready for the pressures that come with playing for a team in a huge media market like the Dodgers, who are also very popular in Asia thanks to Japanese stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Currently available on eBay with asking prices ranging from $152 to $425, this card represents the sweet spot for collectors wanting something special without breaking the bank. The Golden Mirror parallels have become increasingly popular across Topps products, and Kim’s version showcases why. The reflective treatment makes the card pop in person, while the unique photo selection sets it apart from standard rookie poses.
A Stellar Rookie Season in Limited Opportunities
Kim’s path to cardboard stardom mirrors his journey to the majors. While he only racked up 97 plate appearances through his first 41 big-league games, the results have been excellent. The 26-year-old turned that limited opportunity into a .356/.402/.500 triple slash with eight extra-base hits (five doubles, one triple, and two home runs), 12 RBI, and 16 runs scored. He’s also done this while logging time in the field at second base, shortstop, and center field.
The broader context makes Kim’s rise even more remarkable. In a 2025 Topps Baseball Series 2 product dominated by established superstars like Ohtani and fellow rookie Roki Sasaki, Kim has carved out a corner of the market. Terry indicated that of the 20 sales exceeding $1,000 from the set, the Dodgers account for 16 of them. While Ohtani is involved in 12 of those occurrences, Kim claims three of his own.
This isn’t just about hot cards and quick profits. Kim’s combination of immediate impact, team success, and international appeal creates the foundation for long-term collecting relevance. The lesson here is timeless: in baseball cards, as in baseball itself, timing is everything. Kim’s collectors got in early, and they’re reaping the rewards of recognizing the possibility of his talent before the masses caught on.
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