MLB The Show 25 August Spotlight Drop 5 Program Rewards And Missions

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• MLB The Show 25 Team Affinity Neon Introduces New Captain Cards By Team's Grind

  As the game gradually settles into its current state, MLB 25 has been known to introduce new rewards to various modes through update programs to encourage continued participation. Some of these rewards are independent, while others are closely tied to the main modes.

  Take Team Affinity Neon, which launched on August 30th, as an example. This program ties into Team Affinity gameplay in Diamond Dynasty mode and aims to provide new captain cards to balance the strengths of different teams.

  So what rewards can you get from this program? And how can you get them? We'll explain.

  

  Team Affinity Neon Overview

  This program gives each team in the game an OVR 99 captain card. The bonus granted by the card is determined by the overall strength of the team - stronger teams receive smaller bonuses to balance the strengths of teams at different levels.

  These cards cover a wide range of player types, from young rookies to rising stars to established veterans. However, no matter which MLB 25 player you want to obtain from Neon series, you must complete the corresponding team's TA mission.

  The following are the players available in Team Affinity Neon and their teams:

  AL East:

  • Toronto Blue Jays: RF Shawn Green
  • Baltimore Orioles: C Adley Rutschman
  • Tampa Bay Rays: CF Chandler Simpson
  • Boston Red Sox: 3B Marcelo Mayer
  • New York Yankees: SS Derek Jeter

  AL Central:

  • Cleveland Guardians: 2B Travis Bazzana
  • Kansas City Royals: RF Jac Cagliaone
  • Detroit Tigers: SS Kyle McGonigle
  • Minnesota Twins: CF Walker Jenkins
  • Chicago White Sox: C Kyle Teel

  AL West

  • Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: C Logan O'Hoppe
  • Houston Astros: 1B Lance Berkman
  • Oakland Athletics: LF Tyler Soderstrom
  • Seattle Mariners: SS Colt Emerson
  • Texas Rangers: 1B Rafael Palmeiro

  NL East:

  • Atlanta Braves: 2B Ozzie Albies
  • Miami Marlins: SP Eury Peréz
  • New York Mets: RF Curtis Granderson
  • Washington Nationals: SP Jordan Zimmermann
  • Philadelphia Phillies: RF Bobby Abreu

  NL Central:

  • Milwaukee Brewers: SS Jesús Made
  • St. Louis Cardinals: SS JJ Wetherholt
  • Chicago Cubs: 1B Anthony Rizzo
  • Pittsburgh Pirates: SS Konnor Griffin
  • Cincinnati Reds: SP Hunter Greene

  NL West:

  • Arizona Diamondbacks: SS Geraldo Perdomo
  • Los Angeles Dodgers: 3B Adrián Beltré
  • San Francisco Giants: CF Willie Mays
  • San Diego Padres: CF Jackson Merrill
  • Colorado Rockies: 1B Charlie Condon

  Which Missions Earn You Program Rewards?

  To obtain a Neon player, you need to earn 50,000 Team Affinity Points for their team during the program. While this is a staggering number, thankfully MLB 25 offers plenty of ways to farm.

  Start Here Moment

  Each team has a onetime opportunity to earn 10,000 points, which provides an initial boost to their progress toward completing subsequent missions.

  Team Stat Missions

  You'll be given several specific missions to complete, each rewarding an average of 5,000 points. However, some teams may offer special, more difficult missions that reward even more points.

  • 20 Hits: 5,000 TA Points
  • 15 Strikeouts: 5,000 TA Points
  • 50 Total Bases: 5,000 TA Points
  • 9 Pitched Innings: 10,000 TA Points
  • 5 RBI with hitters / 1 Win with SP (with Milestone Jordan Zimmerman): 10,000 TA Points

  PXP Missions

  This mission will earn you different amounts of TA Points depending on PXP earned by different types of players, as follows:

  • 1,000 PXP with pitchers from each team: 10,000 TA Points
  • 1,000 PXP with hitters from each team: 5,000 TA Points
  • 1,000 PXP with Jolt, Color Storm, 2025 All-Star: 25,000 TA Points

  What Are The Rewards?

  In addition to the 30 captain cards listed above, Team Affinity Neon also offers the following rewards for completing a specific team's quest:

  • Team-specific icon
  • Team-specific uniform items
  • 3x Show Packs
  • 1x Ballin Pack
  • 4,500 XP

  These rewards not only enrich your collection and help your character or team grow, but also allow you to unlock additional players by opening packs. If you don't need these players, you can trade them for stubs on the trade market.

  

  Which Neon Cards Are Worth Focusing On?

  Honestly, completing Team Affinity quests for all 30 teams is difficult, almost impossible, so it's important to understand which captain cards are most valuable and prioritize them.

  If you enjoy well-known legends, the following players are worth acquiring:

  • Willie Mays
  • Derek Jeter
  • Lance Berkman
  • Bobby Abreu
  • Adley Rutschman
  • Adrian Beltre
  • Ozzie Albies
  • Hunter Greene

  What Is Neon Collection?

  When you reach a certain threshold in your collection of captain cards during this program, you'll unlock new collection cards as bonus rewards. These cards often feature enhanced stats and are highly effective in improving your team's performance.

  For example, after collecting 15 Neon cards, you'll receive Al Leiter as a reward. One of the best starting pitchers in Diamond Dynasty, this player possesses exceptional pitching skills and elite attributes, making him ideal for competitive content.

  And if you collect all Team Affinity and collection cards, you'll receive Bryan Reynolds as the ultimate reward. As an outfielder with exceptional stats, he excels at every position.

  Other collection reward cards include:

  • Lou Gehrig
  • Lance Berkman
  • Adrian Beltre
  • Konnor Griffin

  Given the recent or upcoming releases of many new sports games, MLB The Show 25 is undoubtedly under considerable pressure. Hopefully, Team Affinity Neon will enhance the game's competitive appeal with these new captain cards.

• MLB The Show 25 Double Agent Program Offers New Cards Of Different Versions

  It's been nearly six months since the launch of MLB The Show 25. If you've been playing consistently, you've likely already explored its basic mechanics and associated challenges. The constant updates to the programs are likely what's kept you going.

  While programs offer new MLB 25 players and other unique rewards, each program operates largely the same, leading to gameplay fatigue. Fortunately, Double Agent program seems poised to break this mold!

  With this in mind, we'll provide details about the program and its key rewards.

  

  Double Agent Program Overview

  The program launched on August 26th. Beyond the basic rewards, you'll also have the opportunity to earn multiple, higher-level versions of three different players' cards from different teams.

  When building special themed teams in MLB 25, you often find yourself missing cards for a particular player. Double Agent's approach to providing bonus cards clearly addresses this issue.

  While players won't improve on any particular team they've played for, different versions of the card do offer the opportunity to play with a wider variety of teams. For you, this means more ways to play.

  This is what makes Double Agent different from any other program in the game to date. With its all-new player card concept, Double Agent disrupts the traditional model, giving you the opportunity to obtain multiple cards with unique attributes for the same player.

  All Available Rewards

  The program's rewards are simple, including special player cards, card packs, and XP:

  • 10 Points: 98 OVR Topps Now Danny Jansen (Blue Jays)
  • 20 Points: 98 OVR Topps Now Danny Jansen (Red Sox)
  • 30 Points: 99 OVR Awards Jim Edmonds (Angels)
  • 40 Points: 7,000 XP
  • 50 Points: 99 OVR Awards Jim Edmonds (Cardinals)
  • 60 Points: 7,000 XP
  • 70 Points: 99 OVR Awards Gaylord Perry (Guardians)
  • 80 Points: 7,000 XP
  • 90 Points: Deluxe Choice pack (includes New Threads 2.0)
  • 100 Points: 99 OVR Awards Gaylord Perry (Padres) and 7,000 XP

  All available XP points total 28,000, which will help you progress further through the season path. Additionally, if there are cards in Deluxe Choice pack that you don't want, you can trade them for more stubs.

  In addition, the attributes of the three player-related cards will vary depending on the team. For example, Gaylord Perry's Padres version has a lower H/9 but a higher K/9.

  

  How To Complete Double Agent Program?

  Each program has different point-earning requirements. To earn all rewards, you need to earn 100 points, which means you need to earn 100 stars in Double Agent program. Below, we'll explain the four main ways to earn points.

  1. Complete 5 Moments

  In MLB 25, Moments are essentially challenges within the storylines of various programs. Completing specific tasks will earn you the rewards. Once you select a program, you can view the available moments.

  Double Agent program requires you to select five moments to complete, each rewarding 5 points. Therefore, completing all of them will earn you 25 points.

  2. Program PXP Missions

  This section requires you to use either version of each player from the program, and each completed mission will reward you with 5 points. The specific requirements are as follows:

  • Tally 350 PXP with either 98 OVR Topps Now Danny Jansen
  • Tally 750 PXP with either 98 OVR Topps Now Danny Jansen
  • Tally 350 PXP with either 99 OVR Awards Jim Edmonds
  • Tally 750 PXP with either 99 OVR Awards Jim Edmonds
  • Tally 500 PXP with 99 OVR Guardians Awards Gaylord Perry

  3. Stat Missions

  In this section, you must complete six specific missions, each of which will reward you with 10 stars.

  • Tally 20 hits with Topps Now players
  • Tally 35 strikeouts with Award Series pitchers
  • Tally seven extra-base hits with Topps Now players
  • Tally 20 hits with Awards Series players
  • Tally 20 innings pitched with Awards Series pitchers
  • Tally seven extra-base hits with Awards Series players

  4. Optional Extreme Crack The Code Moments

  Theoretically, completing the three tasks above is enough to earn all the points. However, if you'd like a more challenging and interesting challenge to earn more points per task and complete the program quickly, you can also choose the following Mystery Moments:

  • Level 1: In an inning with a veteran, pitch two walks and allow one hit without allowing a run - 10 points
  • Level 2: Strike out four batters in an inning without allowing the veteran to score - 10 points
  • Level 3: Make the veteran hit two sacrifice flies in four at-bats - 20 points
  • Level 4: Hit a double, a triple, and a home run in one inning, and fail two stolen base attempts against a veteran without scoring a single run - 30 points
  • Level 5: Steal six bases in one inning without scoring against a veteran - 30 points

  Note that all Extreme Moments are unlocked only after completing the previous level. Not only are they challenging, but most also require a good deal of luck.

  So, if you are not completely confident in your skills and luck and don't want to waste extra time, we don't recommend completing optional moments to earn Double Agent program points - other methods are more than sufficient.

  That's all we have got for you. Since MLB The Show 25 will feature more programs later, we recommend completing Double Agent as soon as possible to avoid missing out on earning rewards from other programs. Have fun!

• MLB The Show 25 The 7th Inning Program Bosses And Rewards

  MLB 25 released a new Inning Program on August 22nd, and this program only lasts for 21 days. If you can complete it within the time limit, you'll not only receive two 99 OVR Bosses but also an untradeable Goose Gossage.

  While 99 OVR players are no longer very rare in MLB The Show 25, the cards included this time are incredibly powerful. Let's take a look at what they are.

  

  7th Inning Program Rewards

  • 3,000 XP: MLB The Show 25 pack
  • 7,500 XP: 7th Inning Cornerstone Choice Pack
  • 12,500 XP: MLB The Show 25 pack
  • 17,500 XP: 1,000 Stubs
  • 22,50 XP: 7th Inning Cornerstone Choice Pack
  • 27,500 XP: Ballin' is a Habit pack
  • 35,000 XP: Headliners pack
  • 42,500 XP: 1,000 Stubs
  • 50,000 XP: Headliners pack
  • 57,500 XP: 7th Inning Cornerstone Choice Pack
  • 65,000 XP: 1,000 Stubs
  • 72,500 XP: Icon
  • 80,000 XP: Ballin' is a Habit pack
  • 87,500 XP: Headliners pack
  • 95,000 XP: 1,000 Stubs
  • 105,000 XP: Banner
  • 115,000 XP: 99 OVR Awards Goose Gossage (No-Sell)
  • 145,000 XP: MLB The Show 25 pack
  • 125,000 XP: Ballin' is a Habit pack
  • 135,000 XP: Deluxe Choice pack
  • 145,000 XP: Headliners pack
  • 155,000 XP: 7th Inning Boss Choice Pack
  • 165,000 XP: Ballin' is a Habit pack
  • 175,000 XP: Deluxe Choice Pack
  • 185,000 XP: MLB The Show 25 pack
  • 195,000 XP: Headliners pack
  • 205,000 XP: 1,500 Stubs
  • 222,000 XP: Deluxe Choice pack
  • 235,000 XP: Ballin' is a Habit pack
  • 250,000 XP: MLB The Show 25 pack (x2)
  • 265,000 XP: 7th Inning Boss Choice Pack
  • 280,000 XP: Deluxe Choice pack
  • 195,000 XP: Headliners pack
  • 310,000 XP: 2,000 Stubs
  • 325,000 XP: Deluxe Choice pack
  • 340,000 XP: Signature Series Choice pack

  99 OVR Rich Gossage, Awards, Yankees,CP

  • Stamina: 40
  • H/9: 125
  • K/9: 122
  • BB/9: 78
  • HR/9: 88
  • Pitch Clutch: 125
  • Control: 82
  • Velocity: 99
  • Break: 99

  In addition to MLB The Show 25 stubs and card packs, in addition to other rewards, there's also an untradeable starting pitcher, Rich Gossage. He ranks third in CP in MLB 25, a rare bullpen pitcher.

  Rich Gossage is a legendary reliever. He reached the peak of his career with New York Yankees, known for his fastball exceeding 100 mph and his dominant play.

  Gossage was a nine-time All-Star and helped Yankees win 1978 World Series. He also tallied 310 saves and was inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008.

  How To Make Progress?

  Like before, 7th Inning Program requires accumulating XP to progress. Because of its relatively short duration, this time there are 36 rewards, and you need to accumulate 340,000 XP to unlock them all.

  There's no quick way to accumulate XP in MLB 25. You can earn XP by playing Real Time Strategy, Diamond Dynasty, and Conquest modes. 7th Inning Program runs from August 22nd to September 12th, 2025. Players interested in this card should take advantage of this opportunity.

  You can also redeem unclaimed cards for XP:

  • I: 5,000 XP (10,000 Value)
  • II: 7,000 XP (14,000 Value)
  • III: 10,000 XP (20,000 Value)
  • IV: 13,000 XP (26,000 Value)
  • V: 15,000 XP (30,000 Value)

  

  7th Inning Bosses

  99 OVR Steve Carlton, Milestone, Phillies, SP

  • Stamina: 125
  • H/9: 111
  • K/9: 109
  • BB/9: 90
  • HR/9: 94
  • Pitch Clutch: 118
  • Control: 91
  • Velocity: 99
  • Break: 99

  Steve Carlton is one of the greatest starting pitchers in baseball history, known for his sharp slider. He played for Philadelphia Phillies for the majority of his prime, helping them win 1980 World Series.

  Carlton won four Cy Young Awards, was a 10-time All-Star, and accumulated 329 wins and 4,136 strikeouts. He was elected to Baseball Hall of Fame with a high vote in 1994, and his number 32 jersey was permanently retired by Philadelphia Phillies.

  He was the first pitcher in Major League Baseball history to achieve both 300 wins and 4,000 strikeouts. His 27-win season with the struggling Phillies in 1972 remains legendary.

  This card currently ranks second among starting pitchers in MLB 25, making it the undisputed top choice among the three Boss cards.

  99 OVR Chase Headley, Finest, Padres, 3B (1B)

  • Contact Right: 115
  • Contact Left: 102
  • Power Right: 105
  • Power Left: 116
  • Vision: 85
  • Discipline: 100
  • Clutch: 108
  • Bunt: 35
  • Drag Bunt: 25
  • Durability: 99

  Chase Headley's career peaked with San Diego Padres, where he won NL RBI title and Silver Slugger Award in 2012.

  His card ranks seventh among third basemen and eighth among first basemen. His positional flexibility makes him a valuable asset.

  99 OVR David Ortiz, Hall Of Fame, Red Sox, 1B

  • Contact Right: 121
  • Contact Left: 108
  • Power Right: 125
  • Power Left: 105
  • Vision: 93
  • Discipline: 120
  • Clutch: 125
  • Bunt: 35
  • Drag Bunt: 25
  • Durability: 98

  David Ortiz primarily serves as a designated hitter and first base of Boston Red Sox. He was a 10-time All-Star and 7-time Silver Slugger. He helped Boston Red Sox win three World Series titles in 2004, 2007, and 2013 and was named ALCS MVP in 2004 and World Series MVP in 2013.

  He hit 541 home runs in his career, retired in 2017, and will be inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022.

  This card ranks 11th among first basemen in MLB 25, making it less valuable than Chase Headley. It's also the least valuable of the three bosses, so you can unlock it later on the trade market, which saves some MLB 25 stubs.

  That's a general overview of 7th Inning Program. If you want to claim the rewards, you'll need to earn XP now!

• MLB The Show 25 (60 FV Player Rankings): What Are Their Overall Rating?

  MLB's recent player trades have finally concluded, bringing changes to both the major and minor league rosters. For teams, besides focusing on established stars, rookies are also worth keeping an eye on, as future legends may emerge from these ranks.

  The final rankings for the 2025 rookie class have just been released. Some have already made their mark in the majors, while others are poised for success in the minors. Let's take a look at how rookies with a 60 FV rating rank in MLB 25.

  

  1. 83 OVR Konnor Griffin, Spring Breakout, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates

  Konnor Griffin, the ninth pick in the 2024 draft, initially had some issues with his swing. However, he's shown tremendous talent this year, with explosive hitting (a 169 wRC+ in High A), above-average defense, and 30-home run potential. He's rarely had any trouble hitting the field. He received an 83 OVR card in MLB The Show 25, and his hitting potential seems underappreciated.

  2. 83 OVR Kevin McGonigle Pipeline, SS, Detroit Tigers

  Kevin McGonigle possesses top-tier hitting skills and an eye for pitch selection. While his performance on the bases and in the field is average, his batting is clearly even better. In 2025, in 27 games at Double-A, he batted .294/1.011 OPS with only 13 strikeouts. He has a high baseball IQ, but his slugging power is still developing. Like Konnor Griffin, he received an 83 OVR card and has strong batting statistics. His performance reflects his value, which has recently increased by approximately 100 MLB The Show 25 stubs.

  3. Jesus Made, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Not In MLB 25)

  Jesus Made is a fast-rising prospect who could be a top-three prospect in the league by 2025. As an 18-year-old switch-hitting prospect, he's shown excellent contact, ball selection, and at least plus-level long-hitting potential at Class A. He'll be a key player for Brewers, but MLB 25 hasn't yet charted him.

  4. 87 OVR Samuel Basallo Pipeline, C, Baltimore Orioles

  Samuel Basallo, the team's top prospect, has already reached the majors and showcased his impressive swing speed. He had an impressive season in Triple-A with 23 home runs and a .966 OPS, and he has impressive left-handed power (40 home run potential). He's a strong defender with a strong arm and currently plays catcher and first base.

  His third-place ranking likely stems from his limited development as a catcher. He has an overall grade of 87 on MLB 25, making him the tenth-highest-rated catcher. After his appearance against Astros last weekend, the value of this card has risen to nearly 20,000 MLB The Show 25 stubs.

  5. 87 OVR Leo De Vries Spring Breakout, SS, Athletics

  Leo De Vries is an athletic switch-shooting shortstop who has excelled since being traded to Athletics. He was promoted to Double-A at just 18 years old, a very young age. Athletics have high hopes for him, but some scouts believe he's a still way off from stardom and he could be a solid infielder.

  6. 86 OVR Max Clark Spring Breakout, CF, Detroit Tigers

  Max Clark, Tigers' second-highest prospect, has been solid since being promoted to Double-A in 2025 (.852 OPS, 6 stolen bases). However, he recently left the game early because of a wrist injury. If it's a hamate fracture like Kevin McGonigal suffered last season, his season could be over, which would undoubtedly impact his future value.

  7. Colt Emerson, SS, Seattle Mariners (Not In MLB 25)

  Colt Emerson possesses exceptional physical talent and raw power, making him Rangers' top prospect. In Double-A, facing older opponents, he's hitting .234/.332/.369 with 11 home runs and 24 stolen bases. Some scouts believe he needs to adjust his swing angle to better convert raw power, but this doesn't diminish his top-tier potential.

  

  8. Sebastian Walcott, SS, Texas Rangers (Not In MLB 25)

  Although Sebastian Walcott experienced a batting slump in Double-A, he's been hot in August (.322/.414/.559). He recently stole an astonishing 47 bases, showing off his top-tier baserunning speed. This performance could soon earn him a promotion to Triple-A. He received a 93 OVR card in MLB 24, but has yet to appear in MLB 25.

  9. 87 OVR Travis Bazzana Pipeline, 2B, Cleveland Guardians

  Travis Bazzana was the top pick in the 2024 draft, but his potential is still far from baseball superstardom. He is a good baserunner and a strong defender at second base. His offensive strengths are his patience and ability to pull/push the ball. His bat speed and power are around average, but he should maintain a high on-base percentage and perhaps hit 20 home runs per year.

  10. Aidan Miller, SS, Philadelphia Phillies (Not In MLB 25)

  Aidan Miller has struggled with his batting this season but has been on fire in August, hitting two home runs and three hits in his recent outing, setting new personal records. He also has tremendous baserunning speed and 47 stolen bases, which could put him on the path to Triple-A soon.

  He debuted in MLB 24 and received a 98 OVR card. If he could be in August Spotlight series, his overall rating could have been 99 OVR.

  11. 87 OVR Walker Jenkins Pipeline, CF, Minnesota Twins

  Walker Jenkins was the fifth overall pick in 2023 draft. Injuries have limited him to just 163 career games, but he's been excellent (.301/.405/.471 with 16 home runs and 34 stolen bases). He has a well-rounded, above-average skill set, but injuries have limited his potential.

  12. 97 OVR Josue De Paula Spotlight, LF, Los Angeles Dodgers

  Josue De Paula has been compared by scouts to Yordan Alvarez (but with better defense and baserunning). He plays solid defense as a left fielder, has a high on-base percentage, and has 25-30 home run potential.

  He was named Future Star MVP in July, earning him a spot in July Spotlight series, but this card is not tradeable in MLB 25.

  13. 85 OVR Bubba Chandler Pipeline, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

  Bubba Chandler is a top Pirates pitching prospect, boasting a mid-90s to 100+ mph fastball (with top-end upside) and a quality changeup. In 24 starts at Triple-A, he posted a 4.05 ERA, 121 strikeouts, and 53 walks. However, his control could still improve.

  This is the list of players with a 60 FV in MLB The Show 25, who have the potential to be stars next season. If you're looking to make a few stubs by stealing and selling, these players are the ones to invest in.

• MLB The Show 25 Diamond Dynasty Sets & Seasons Cancellation: How Has This Move Been Received?

  Over five months have passed since the initial release of MLB The Show 25. While not everyone who owns it has fully experienced all the changes in all modes, you should at least be able to appreciate whether the more prominent updates are meaningful.

  Take Diamond Dynasty, for example. As one of the most popular modes in MLB The Show series, it already offers a rich gameplay experience, so it likely received the most changes in MLB 25.

  Aside from the numerous new additions, one particularly notable change in Diamond Dynasty is the removal of Sets & Seasons. This feature was introduced in MLB 23 but had always received mediocre reviews from players.

  The development team could have chosen to upgrade this feature, but ultimately opted to remove it, avoiding the possibility that you continuing to invest stubs in meaningless MLB 25 players.

  Based on actual gameplay experience over the past few months, has this decision been effective? We will provide you with relevant analysis.

  

  What Does Sets & Seasons Do?

  Initially, in MLB 23, you could earn Diamond Dynasty card sets through your hard work. However, each set was only valid for one in-game season, which typically lasted six to eight weeks. This meant that every month, a part of your hard-earned cards would immediately become obsolete!

  Although MLB The Show 24 extended the length of seasons after its release, this was merely a temporary fix and didn't fundamentally address the flaws of Sets & Seasons.

  This rigid timeliness inevitably forced you to constantly update your player cards, resulting you to consume more stubs or play longer to earn new sets, and ultimately, you grew tired of it.

  MLB 25 After This Feature Was Removed

  Based on this, MLB The Show 25 didn't extend the seasons or otherwise modify them. Instead, it simply removed Sets & Seasons. More importantly, the development team didn't leave this "slot" vacant, instead introducing Yearlong Progression as a replacement.

  This mechanic ensures that players acquired in Diamond Dynasty remain permanently available, regardless of season. This allows you to build a team based on your existing cards and personal preferences at any time, and continuously upgrade your players throughout the year.

  This not only completely solves the problem of Sets & Seasons, which required constant updates to your roster and game strategy as the seasons changed, but also provides a more consistent experience in building your Diamond Dynasty team and a genuine sense of accomplishment as your players progress.

  Different Perspectives

  While Yearlong Progression replaces Sets & Seasons with benefits overall, some players believe it may lead to excessive power inflation in the later stages of the game.

  Based on current performance trends, this speculation is certainly plausible. But honestly, compared to the issues with Sets & Seasons, this power inflation doesn't appear to have a significant negative impact and, in fact, reinforces the value of playing Diamond Dynasty.

  Furthermore, while MLB Legends in previous games didn't rotate, MLB 25 changes this mechanic. You'll even have the opportunity to acquire baseball stars from different eras and use them to build your own dream team in Diamond Dynasty.

  This also means that in addition to building your team, MLB 25 provides a virtual platform for you to initiate or witness many star-studded matchups that wouldn't be possible in the real world, given the significant age gaps between some of these players.

  

  How Are The Other Diamond Dynasty Gameplays Performing?

  Besides replacing Sets & Seasons with Yearlong Progression, Diamond Dynasty has received a number of new gameplay features in MLB 25, most of which have been well-received.

  Diamond Quest

  This is a truly new gameplay feature, requiring you to complete specific tasks to earn currency that can be redeemed for additional rewards. It's a bit like an upgraded and improved version of the previous Conquest mode, with a slight roguelike twist.

  In Diamond Quest, the higher the difficulty of the mission you choose, the better the cards and other rewards you might receive.

  Diamond Quest has received excellent reviews so far, but you might find it a bit difficult and complex. After all, the rewards at a lower difficulty level aren't worth the time investment.

  Weekend Classic

  This mode takes place at the end of each season, allowing you to directly compete against players of similar skill, with rewards awarded based on your account level. To progress continuously, you'll need to maintain a winning streak.

  This mode is great for MLB The Show 25 players who enjoy authentic competition and challenging themselves, and they might even wish it were held more frequently! However, if you prefer more relax gameplay, it might not be for you.

  Team Affinity

  Team Affinity, a long-standing core component of Diamond Dynasty mode, has been further refined in MLB The Show 25. Not only can you unlock more rewards for each team, but you can also build your own team based on your favorite team or captain.

  The advantage of this feature is that if you're a fan of a particular team, completing Team Affinity objectives allows you to interact more frequently with your favorite team members in-game, while also earning cards and MLB 25 Stubs.

  Overall, most of Diamond Dynasty's feature changes have performed well, and the success of Yearlong Progression justifies canceling Sets & Seasons - with better new mechanics, canceling the old feature might be a better outcome than changing it.

• MLB The Show 25 August Spotlight Players: Why They Are Featured In This Series?

  August is already halfway through, and the second installment of our Spotlight series, spotlighting outstanding MLB players, has arrived. Each August spotlight features cards from both the program and packs. These two August Spotlight events have already provided us with six 99 OVR cards.

  Let's take a look at the free players in programs and 99 OVR players as examples to see which MLB 25 players are worth watching this month?

  

  Drop 1

  99 OVR Spotlight Aaron Civale (Pack)

  • Stamina: 103
  • H/9: 112
  • K/9: 94
  • BB/9: 95
  • HR/9: 99
  • Pitch Clutch: 120
  • Control: 94
  • Velocity: 83
  • Break: 99

  Civale was traded from Milwaukee Brewers to Chicago White Sox in a trade on June 13, 2025, in exchange for infielder Andrew Vaughn. Civale was battering Angels in early August, but struggled against Royals in mid-August.

  He doesn't have any quirks in MLB 25, but his pitching stats are excellent. This is a tradable 99 OVR player with a value around 30,000 stubs.

  99 OVR Spotlight Anthony Volpe (Program)

  • Contact Right: 102
  • Contact Left: 125
  • Power Right: 125
  • Power Left: 105
  • Vision: 84
  • Discipline: 39
  • Clutch: 109
  • Bunt: 37
  • Drag Bunt: 34
  • Durability: 98

  Although Volpe played a key role in Game 4 of 2025 World Series, hitting a game-winning grand slam to secure the victory and avoid a sweep. But his performance has been inconsistent, and he had already committed 16 mistakes by mid-August.

  99 OVR Spotlight Warming Bernabel (Pack)

  • Contact Right: 107
  • Contact Left: 113
  • Power Right: 100
  • Power Left: 103
  • Vision: 92
  • Discipline: 51
  • Clutch: 111
  • Bunt: 35
  • Drag Bunt: 25
  • Durability: 92

  Warming Bernabel is another player who could be traded for stubs, and he became a team hero this August. On August 18, 2025, against Los Angeles Dodgers, Bernabel hit a walk-off single with two outs in the ninth inning, giving Rockies a 4-3 victory and snapping their 10-game losing streak against Dodgers.

  97 OVR Topps Now Liover Peguero (Program)

  • Contact Right: 92
  • Contact Left: 101
  • Power Right: 100
  • Power Left: 106
  • Vision: 77
  • Discipline: 67
  • Clutch: 104
  • Bunt: 68
  • Drag Bunt: 63
  • Durability: 93

  Although Pirates ultimately lost to Rockies in early August, Liover Peguero hit three home runs in the game, demonstrating his individual prowess.

  97 OVR Topps Now Eli White (Program)

  • Contact Right: 96
  • Contact Left: 90
  • Power Right: 103
  • Power Left: 100
  • Vision: 67
  • Discipline: 45
  • Clutch: 101
  • Bunt: 51
  • Drag Bunt: 43
  • Durability: 90

  White starred in the August 4, 2025, Speedway Classic between Braves and Reds (the first major league regular season game ever held at a NASCAR track). He not only hit the event's first home run (a 411-foot three-run shot), but also blasted his second home run (413 feet) in the seventh inning, a double and four RBIs, to give Braves a 4-2 victory. Due to an injury to Ronald Acuna Jr., White was given the starting job and capitalized, earning him a NASCAR-style trophy in the historic game.

  

  Drop 2

  99 OVR Spotlight Abner Uribe (Pack)

  • Stamina: 25
  • H/9: 125
  • K/9: 125
  • BB/9: 78
  • HR/9: 99
  • Pitch Clutch: 125
  • Control: 79
  • Velocity: 99
  • Break: 99

  Brewers have recently won 13 straight games, and winning has become as easy as drinking water for them. Their bullpen has been a major contributor to this success. Abner Uribe has allowed very few runs in his appearance so far, allowing only two hits in six innings.

  This card ranks sixth among relievers in MLB 25, and its value remains stable at 30,000 MLB The Show 25 stubs.

  99 OVR Spotlight Daulton Varsho (Pack)

  • Contact Right: 113
  • Contact Left: 120
  • Power Right: 125
  • Power Left: 90
  • Vision: 87
  • Discipline: 102
  • Clutch: 125
  • Bunt: 35
  • Drag Bunt: 25
  • Durability: 97

  Varsho has shown impressive power in the 2025 season. He recently hit 13 home runs in 38 games, meaning 40.6% of his hits have resulted in home runs. This rate surpasses even some of the league's top sluggers. However, his season has been plagued by injuries, which have limited his appearances. His batting quality, including his barrel rate (18.5%) and average bat velocity (91 mph), has set career highs.

  99 OVR Spotlight Luke Keaschall (Program)

  • Contact Right: 120
  • Contact Left: 105
  • Power Right: 107
  • Power Left: 97
  • Vision: 100
  • Discipline: 100
  • Clutch: 120
  • Bunt: 35
  • Drag Bunt: 25
  • Durability: 95

  On August 16th, Keaschall had a powerful performance against Detroit Tigers. With a runner on base in the seventh inning, he took advantage of a ground ball by teammate Brooks Lee and ran home to bring the score to 4-6.

  97 OVR Topps Now Andrew Kittredge (Program)

  • Stamina: 25
  • H/9: 106
  • K/9: 125
  • BB/9: 93
  • HR/9: 83
  • Pitch Clutch: 102
  • Control: 92
  • Velocity: 99
  • Break: 99

  Since signing with Chicago Cubs, Kittredge has been a strong reliever. In seven appearances through August 17, 2025, he has recorded four earned runs and one earned run. His ERA was impacted by one appearance in which he allowed four runs, but he otherwise remained scoreless in all other appearances. He appeared in half of Cubs' games after the trade deadline, striking out 10 batters in six innings. He also appeared at the plate in Cubs' 4-3 victory over Pirates on August 17.

  97 OVR Topps Now Jurickson Profar (Program)

  • Contact Right: 100
  • Contact Left: 107
  • Power Right: 90
  • Power Left: 115
  • Vision: 83
  • Discipline: 87
  • Clutch: 105
  • Bunt: 35
  • Drag Bunt: 25
  • Durability: 93

  On August 18, 2025, Profar hit a two-run homer in Braves' game against White Sox. He first hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning and then a three-run homer in the eighth. Although Braves ultimately lost 9-13, Profar's individual hitting performance was outstanding.

  These are the players who performed well in August. Some of these players are available for free in August Spotlight program, while others can be acquired through trades for MLB 25 stubs. Which other players do you think will make the cut this month?