Plenty of Diamond Dynasty players are logging in for one reason this week: the new 95 Overall Milestone Jacob deGrom. And honestly, it's hard to blame them. A starter with deGrom's name, velocity, and pitch mix usually costs a decent chunk of MLB 26 Stubs, but this one is tied to gameplay instead. You'll need to clear the new Extreme Showdown, which isn't exactly a walk through rookie CPU innings. Still, it's free, repeatable, and very much worth the stress if your rotation needs a proper ace.

Why the Extreme Showdown matters

The route to deGrom runs through a set of Showdown moments, with smaller boss fights before the final matchup against deGrom himself. That last part can feel nasty if you're impatient at the plate. You don't want to swing at everything just because the reward is sitting there. Draft hitters who can handle high velocity, take pitches when you can, and don't panic if you fall behind early. The good news is simple: if you lose, you can go again. There's no one-shot lockout, so players who prefer earning cards instead of buying their way through the market have a real path here.

What deGrom brings to your rotation

This Milestone deGrom card is built like the kind of pitcher people hate seeing in Ranked. He carries strong H/9 numbers, solid strikeout ratings, 92 Control, 97 Clutch, and 100 Stamina, which means he can stay useful deep into games instead of fading after five innings. His pitch mix is also a big deal. The four-seam fastball sets the tone, while the slider, circle change, slurve, and sinker give you enough tools to attack both sides of the plate. The slider is the pitch most players will notice first, especially because of its huge break. Pair that with Outlier and Break Outlier, and you've got a card that can make even good hitters look late or lost.

Lou Gehrig content adds more to grind

The deGrom reward isn't the only thing worth your time. The Lou Gehrig Day Conquest map is live as well, and it's a smart grind if you're chasing XP, packs, or collection pieces. The map leans into the Yankees theme with several strongholds, and the reward path includes a Lou Gehrig Day bat skin, Show Packs, Headliner Packs, Deluxe Packs, Jumbo Show Packs, and 4,000 XP. There are usually hidden rewards tucked into these maps too, so clearing extra spaces can pay off. Lou Gehrig himself is also temporarily supercharged to 99 Overall, which gives anyone who owns him a short window to plug a monster bat into the lineup.

Other cards and collection planning

Andy Pettitte has also arrived as the latest Headliner, giving players another left-handed starter to consider. His 98 H/9 against righties, 94 Control, 94 Clutch, and 107 Stamina make him more than just a nostalgia card. The cutter, sinker, curveball, changeup, and four-seamer give him a steady mix, though he won't feel as explosive as deGrom. With more Legends and Flashbacks collection rewards expected soon, it's a good time to tidy up your binder, finish free programs, and decide what's actually worth buying. Some players will grind every map and Showdown, while others may look at MLB The Show 26 Stubs for sale when they're missing key pieces, but either way, this update gives you several useful ways to improve your squad.