MLB The Show 26 has dropped one of those rewards that makes Diamond Dynasty players stop and pay attention: a free 95 Milestone Jacob deGrom. You don't need to burn through MLB 26 Stubs to get him, which is the whole appeal. The card is tied to the new Extreme Showdown, and yeah, it's not meant to be a casual stroll. You'll need to work through a set of moments, handle a few tough matchups, and then deal with deGrom himself at the end. The good news is that the run can be repeated, so a bad swing or one messy inning doesn't lock you out.

Why deGrom Is Worth the Grind

This Milestone deGrom is built like a card that'll show up in plenty of ranked games. His 100 stamina means he can stay on the mound deep into a game, while 92 control gives you a real chance to spot pitches instead of just hoping they land. His H/9 sits in the low 90s against both sides, and the clutch rating at 97 is a nice safety net when runners get on. What matters most, though, is how the pitch mix plays. Four-seam, slider, circle change, slurve, and sinker gives you enough tools to attack different hitters without becoming predictable.

The Pitch Mix Has Teeth

Most players will start with the fastball and slider, and for good reason. The slider has serious bite, and with Break Outlier in the mix, it can feel nasty when you tunnel it off the heater. Outlier also helps the fastball play up, especially if your opponent is sitting off-speed. The circle change gives you something softer to pull hitters forward, while the sinker keeps people honest inside. He's not just a throw-hard-and-pray card. If you sequence well, you'll quickly find that deGrom can make even patient hitters uncomfortable.

Other Content You Shouldn't Skip

The update isn't only about deGrom. The Lou Gehrig Day Conquest map is also live, and it's worth clearing if you're stacking packs, XP, or collection pieces. Expect Yankees-themed strongholds, a Lou Gehrig bat skin, Show Packs, Headliner Packs, Deluxe Packs, Jumbo Show Packs, and 4,000 XP. There are usually hidden rewards tucked away too, so don't just rush the strongholds and leave empty spots behind. Lou Gehrig also has a temporary 99-rated supercharged version, which gives anyone who owns him a short window to plug a monster bat into the lineup.

Smart Moves for Your Squad

The new Andy Pettitte Headliner adds another lefty option for players who want rotation depth. His stamina, control, cutter, curveball, changeup, and sinker make him useful, even if deGrom is the bigger prize. At the same time, collections are creeping back into the conversation. Cards tied to Legends, Flashbacks, Ketel Marte, Mickey Mantle, Jose Ramirez, and Jolt Series rewards could matter soon. Some players will grind every program first, while others may use cheap MLB 26 Stubs to fill gaps faster. Either way, grabbing free cards like deGrom now makes the next big collection push a whole lot easier.