Let’s be real for a second. Every year, we hit July, and Diamond Dynasty gets a massive injection of 99 overall players that basically makes our previous three months of grinding feel like a warm-up act. It’s the Midsummer Classic cycle. But something about the mlb the show 25 all star cards felt different this time around.
Maybe it was the way San Diego Studio (SDS) handled the power creep. Or maybe it was just the sheer chaos of that All-Star Game ending in a swing-off.
You probably remember the drama. Kyle Schwarber coming out of nowhere to blast three home runs in the first-ever All-Star swing-off to seal the MVP. It wasn't just a cool moment for Philly fans; it gave us one of the most cracked cards in the history of the game. If you aren't running that 99 ASG Schwarber in your lineup, honestly, what are you even doing?
He’s basically a cheat code at the plate.
The Grind for MLB The Show 25 All Star Cards
The way you actually get these cards has shifted. In previous years, you just bought a choice pack and hoped for the best. This year, the "My Journey" integration within Team Affinity changed the math. You’re looking at a massive 285,000 TA points to snag those vouchers.
It sounds like a lot. It is a lot.
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But SDS threw us a bone with the All-Star Voucher Pack in the Show Shop for zero stubs. Basically a freebie to get the ball rolling. From there, it's a mix of Diamond Quest (that weirdly addictive roguelike mode they added) and the standard Conquest maps.
If you're trying to finish the big collection, you need to be strategic.
Breaking Down the Collection Rewards
Most people are chasing the "Big Three" at the end of the rainbow. Here is how the collection ladder actually shakes out:
- 15 Cards: 97 OVR Josh Hader (The lefty specialist you need for the late innings).
- 30 Cards: 98 OVR Garrett Crochet (Pure gas, double outlier, absolute nightmare to face on Hall of Fame).
- 45 Cards: 99 OVR José Ramírez (The switch-hitting god himself).
- 50 Cards: 99 OVR Shohei Ohtani (It’s Shohei. Enough said).
- 55 Cards: 99 OVR Aaron Judge (The final boss of the collection).
The Judge card is technically the "top" reward, but a lot of top-tier players are actually leaning toward the 99 Shohei or the 99 Ketel Marte from Chase Pack 18. Ketel has that smooth switch-hitting swing that just seems to find the gaps even when you're slightly off the PCI.
Why the 99 Kyle Schwarber is the Real Hero
We have to talk about the MVP card. Because of that swing-off victory, the 99 All-Star Series Kyle Schwarber became the focal point of the July program.
The attributes are offensive. Literally. We’re talking near-maxed power against both sides.
If you completed the Midsummer Classic Mini Seasons earlier in the month, you likely snagged the 97 OVR version of Schwarber. Here’s the pro tip most people missed: you can collect that 97 version into the main ASG Program for a massive 50-star jump. It effectively cuts the grind in half.
I’ve seen people complaining about his fielding in the outfield.
Look, he’s not winning a Gold Glove. His 99 card has "serviceable" defensive stats, but you’re not benching a guy who hits tanks like that just because his reaction time is a little slow. Stick him at DH or hide him in Left Field at a small park like Shibe or Laughing Mountain. Problem solved.
The Market Crash and How to Survive It
Whenever the mlb the show 25 all star cards drop, the Live Series market takes a nosedive. It happens every single year, yet people still act surprised.
Suddenly, your 90 OVR Live Series pulls aren't the kings of the mountain anymore. Why would someone pay 100k stubs for a base diamond when they can grind out a 99 OVR All-Star card for free?
If you’re smart, you sold your high-value Live Series cards in late June. If you didn't, you're probably holding the bag right now.
But there’s an upside. The "base" All-Star cards—the ones you find in the Deluxe and Premier packs—start off expensive but usually settle down after a week or two. Don't buy them the night they drop. Wait for the weekend "flash sales" or until more people finish the Program missions.
Making Stubs During All-Star Week
One of the most overlooked ways to make stubs during this window is the Moonshot: Home Run Derby Event.
It’s high-scoring, it’s frustrating, and it’s fast.
The rewards for win streaks include HR Derby Choice Packs. These packs contain the high-tier sluggers that everyone needs for the collections. Even if you don't want the cards, selling them during the peak demand window (usually Tuesday nights) can net you a couple hundred thousand stubs easily.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Draft Cards
Along with the All-Stars, we got the 2025 MLB Draft picks. Players like Mason Neville (95 OVR) started appearing in lineups almost instantly.
A lot of players overlook these because they aren't "household names" yet.
That’s a mistake. These Draft cards often have unique "Pipeline" quirks or specific stat builds that make them play way above their overall rating. Mason Neville, for instance, has a swing that feels remarkably similar to Byron Buxton’s—quick, compact, and high-launch angle.
Don't just discard these as collection fodder. Try them out in a few Ranked games. You might be surprised at who ends up being your new lead-off hitter.
Actionable Tips for Finishing the Program
If you're staring at the program screen feeling overwhelmed, stop. You don't need to do everything.
Focus on the "All-Star Game Event" missions first. You’re going to be playing online anyway, so you might as well double-dip. Get your 10 runs and 10 innings pitched in the event while using as many All-Star series cards as possible to rack up PXP.
Next, hit the Conquest map. It’s five strongholds. It’s easy. It gives you 20 program stars and a 2025 HR Derby Choice Pack.
Finally, don't ignore the "Fan Predictions" pack. If you guessed right on who would win the Derby or the longest HR, those vouchers exchange for progress that can bypass the more tedious stat missions.
The mlb the show 25 all star cards represent the turning point of the game's lifecycle. We are officially in the "Endgame" era where every card needs to be elite to compete. Take the time to get Schwarber. Grind for the Shohei. Your Ranked Seasons rating will thank you later.
Check the Show Shop for any remaining "Free" packs you might have missed during the initial Friday drop. Often, SDS leaves these up for at least a week, and those free vouchers are the easiest way to skip the 285k Team Affinity grind for your first few diamonds.
Keep an eye on the Marketplace prices for the 97 OVR "base" tier cards from the All-Star packs; once they hit the 12k-15k stub range, they become the most cost-effective way to finish the 55-card collection for Aaron Judge.