The MLB The Show 25 game cycle is almost half over, and that means the endgame cards are starting to appear. If you managed to get a lot of the All-Star content in Diamond Dynasty, you can build a lineup stacked with power from top to bottom.
Defense be damned! Power is arguably the most important attribute in MLB The Show 25. Here is the best power lineup you can have in this year’s game right now. Players are listed in order of the recommended batting order.
It’s important to remember that these aren’t the best overall cards at each position. This lineup is geared towards maximizing power in your lineup—often at the expense of other things.
Leadoff: Oneil Cruz, SS, Home Run Derby Series
We should all be celebrating a Pirates card making the cut here. Shortstop is a loaded position in MLB The Show 25, but we’re going for power here. Cruz played short before moving to center field and still has a secondary there. The 80 speed makes him a serviceable leadoff hitter, too.
The Pirates star has 120 in both power attributes, and both contact attributes are over 100 as well. Vision of 82 is great for an Oneil Cruz card, and the 120 clutch will help you come up big when you need it.
Second: Junior Caminero, 2B, Home Run Derby Series
Caminero is also at his secondary position at second. Usually a third baseman, his elite power numbers make him the best 2B available from an offensive standpoint. Just pretend the defensive attributes don’t exist, and you’ll be thrilled with this card.
With 123 power against both righties and lefties, Caminero is a force at the plate. In fact, every key hitting attribute, including vision, is over 100. The tradeoff is that Caminero is slow. But who needs speed when you’re hitting it a mile?
Note: The Ketel Marte All-Star Game card is arguably better, but it’s a Chase Pack card that costs 300K stubs in the store, so I didn’t include it.
Third: Kyle Schwarber, DH, All-Star Game Series
There are two Schwarber All-Star cards in MLB The Show 25. We’re referring to the 99 overall he got for winning the All-Star Game MVP award. You can get this card just for completing the All-Star program that dropped the day after the game.
Schwarber’s only key hitting attribute under 110 is vision, which stands at 94. If you’re familiar with Kyle Schwarber cards, 94 vision is elite. He’s slow and the defense is below average in left field, but the offense is too good to pass up.
Fourth: Brent Rooker, RF, Home Run Derby Series
Like every other Home Run Derby card, Brent Rooker is a massive defensive liability. His 117 power attributes should help you get over that quickly, though. His 108 vision and super high contact attributes don’t hurt, either.
I’ve always liked Rooker’s swing in the game, so this card is a welcome addition. I’m not brave enough to take an all-Home Run Derby team into Weekend Classic, though. The defense really is that bad on these cards. However, the elite offensive attributes make up for it, if you don’t mind some 11-8 games.
Fifth: Joel Gallo, 1B, Pipeline Past Series
Gallo is the lowest-rated player in this lineup, clocking in at 92. 1B is a secondary position for him, but we’re putting him here because of the 125 and 115 power attributes. He has high contact but lower clutch, so you’re basically selling out to get the power here.
Close your eyes and swing. That’s what it’s going to feel like with 31 vision. But if the pitcher hits Gallo’s bat, it’s going to go a long way.
Sixth: Byron Buxton, CF, Home Run Derby Series
Buxton’s run to the second round of the Home Run Derby got him this powerful 98-overall card. 120 power against both right and left, and a 120 clutch rating means you’re going to launch some bombs with this card.
The card has 80 speed, which might be enough to make up for some of the defensive deficiencies. Buxton’s Moonshot card is comparable if you don’t have the Home Run Derby card yet, and it’s better defensively while sacrificing some of the offense.
Seventh: Cal Raleigh, C, Home Run Derby Series
This card is everything Diamond Dynasty players love. Raleigh is a switch-hitting catcher who absolutely mashes. Don’t worry too much about defense here. His attributes aren’t bad, and it’s very hard to throw out the fastest players in the game.
Raleigh’s card is hard to get. It requires the entire Home Run Derby collection. But it’s about the most worth-it collection of MLB The Show 25 so far.
Eighth: Jo Adell, LF, Spotlight Series
You can play Adell at any of the outfield positions, moving one of the Home Run Derby outfielders to DH. I chose to move Schwarber to DH and play Adell in LF. It’s a secondary position for Adell, but he’s still better than Schwarber there.
He has great power, good clutch, and decent vision. This is probably the best Jo Adell card we’ve seen outside the “sets and seasons” era.
Ninth: Eugenio Suarez, 3B, All-Star Game Series
Enjoy this Diamondbacks Suarez card. He’s likely to be moved at the deadline. The slugger sacrifices vision for power here, but the upside is pretty high and the defense isn’t bad. 117 vs RHP and 125 vs LHP is elite.
Since Suarez is part of the Diamondbacks Team Affinity, you just need to work through that program to get him. He’ll also serve as a D-backs captain, boosting Diamondbacks on your roster if you have enough of them.
