Every year in MLB The Show, players chase the highest overalls, the best swing animations, elite pitch mixes, and endgame cards that dominate Ranked Seasons. But in MLB The Show 26, the most valuable card in Diamond Dynasty may not be the highest-rated player in the game. Instead, that title arguably belongs to 91 Overall John Donaldson.

How John Donaldson Became the Best Value Card in MLB The Show 26

At first glance, Donaldson does not look like the obvious answer. His ratings are strong, but not game-breaking. His pitching stats are solid, not absurd. His hitting is respectable, but not maxed out. Yet when used correctly, John Donaldson becomes something more important than raw attributes: he becomes a roster cheat code.

What makes him special is not just how he performs on the mound or at the plate—it is how he can do both while exploiting one of the smartest systems currently in MLB 26 Stubs Diamond Dynasty: true two-way player utility.

Why John Donaldson Is Different

Many cards in Diamond Dynasty are great in one role. Some dominate as hitters. Others are elite starting pitchers. A few can field multiple positions.

Donaldson offers something rare: high-level production in multiple roles while preserving roster flexibility.

You can start him as a pitcher, then move him into center field for the next several games while his stamina recovers. That means one card can contribute to your lineup almost every game.

Instead of sitting in your rotation waiting for energy to return, Donaldson stays active and valuable.

That alone makes him one of the smartest investments in MLB The Show 26.

The Two-Way Advantage Finally Matters

Two-way players have existed in baseball forever, and MLB The Show has tried to represent them in past years. But often they felt limited or awkward to use.

Usually, you had to choose one role:

Use them as a pitcher only

Use them as a hitter only

Accept weaker performance because the system didn't reward versatility

This year feels different.

With John Donaldson, you can:

Start him on the mound in Ranked Seasons

Use him for a strong outing

Move him to center field in later games

Allow pitching stamina to buy MLB 26 Stubs regenerate while he remains in your lineup

Put him back in the rotation when ready

That is massive value in Diamond Dynasty, where every roster spot matters.