Some rewards in Diamond Dynasty feel like filler, but this one doesn't. MLB The Show 26 has added a free 95 Overall Milestone Jacob deGrom, and you won't need to burn through MLB 26 Stubs to get him. He's tied to the new Extreme Showdown, so the price is patience, clean at-bats, and a bit of nerve. If your rotation has been held together by budget arms, this is the kind of card that can change the feel of your whole squad.

What you need to do

The deGrom reward comes from completing the Extreme Showdown. It isn't a quick tap-through moment, either. You'll work through smaller matchups, face a few mini-boss situations, and then get sent into the main fight against deGrom himself. Miss it once and it'll sting, sure, but the mode is repeatable. That matters. You can learn the pitch patterns, draft a better lineup next time, and come back with a plan instead of just swinging at everything near the zone.

Quick menu for the new content

• Complete the Extreme Showdown to earn 95 Overall Milestone Jacob deGrom.
• Use power bats and patient hitters, since every run matters in this format.
• Play the Lou Gehrig Day Conquest map for packs, XP, and hidden rewards.
• Check the temporary 99 Overall Lou Gehrig boost if you already own his card.
• Watch the market for Andy Pettitte and other collection pieces before prices move.

Why this deGrom card plays well

On paper, deGrom looks like the sort of starter people will use all season, or at least until the next big wave of higher-rated arms arrives. He brings strong H/9 numbers, solid strikeout ratings, 92 Control, 97 Clutch, and 100 Stamina. That stamina is huge, because ranked games can get messy when your bullpen is tired. His pitch mix is also nasty: four-seam fastball, slider, circle change, slurve, and sinker. The slider has serious bite, and with Outlier in the mix, the fastball becomes a real problem if you tunnel it properly.

Other rewards worth your time

The Lou Gehrig Day Conquest map is the other piece players shouldn't skip. It has Yankees-themed strongholds, several pack rewards, and 4,000 XP for completion. Those maps can feel slow, but they're usually worth doing while you're watching a game or knocking out missions. The temporary Lou Gehrig supercharge is useful too, especially if you already own him and need a heavy bat in the middle of the order. Andy Pettitte's new Headliner card adds another option, with strong control, big stamina, and a pitch mix that works well against impatient hitters.

Building smart before collections grow

With another Legends and Flashbacks Collection expected soon, it's a good time to think ahead. Free cards like deGrom help because they save resources while still improving your team. Some players will grind every map and program. Others will fill gaps through the marketplace, especially when chasing names like Ketel Marte, Mickey Mantle, or Jose Ramirez. If you're trying to move faster, checking prices on cheap MLB The Show Stubs can make sense, but the smartest move is still simple: grab every free reward you can before collection demand starts pushing cards higher.