Those who play Diamond Dynasty inMLB The Show 22have some of the fastest reflexes in the gaming world. Being able to spot a pitch, tell how it will break, aim the cursor, and swing at the right moment is a skill on par with any of theStreet FighterorMortal Kombatcombos.
RELATED:MLB The Show 22: The Best Way To Earn Stubs
But it’s no use denying that the cards don’t make a difference. Nobody is winning any tournaments with gold or lower cards in their lineup. Even if players aren’t thinking about taking on a massive debt to win, it’s still wise to save up for a few of the best players out there inMLB The Show 22.
Our thanks go out to the folks atmlb22.theshow.comfor their database of player cards. OVRs are stated as the card’s true OVR, not what is printed on it.
Updated on July 19th, 2022 by Hodey Johns:This list first came out before the season started. All-Star week marks the halfway point of the season. During this time, several waves of cards have come out in Diamond Dynasty. While many of these cards have remained atop their class, others have given way to more elite cards. In most card-collecting sports games, this entire list would have to be thrown out on a near-weekly basis. While Diamond Dynasty is still a very expensive venture, but it’s good to know that many of the best cards at the start of the year are still tops in their class.
11Starting Pitcher - Randy Johnson - 102.60 OVR
Nobody will have opponents dropping expletives as often as when they have to bat against Randy Johnson. Even ignoring all of the flatly absurd statistics on the card, the sidearm delivery is hard to read and virtually eliminates lefty-handed hitters from the lineup. Seriously, when going against Johnson, sub them out, they are free outs.
His 125 K/9 reduces enemy cursors to the size of pinheads; hitting his fastball is a nightmare enough since it goes over the maximum velocity. But it’s the break on the slider that will have friends swinging at junk whenplaying against them.
10Relief Pitcher - Daniel Hudson - 92.38 OVR
Many gamers will just convert their extra closers to relief pitchers. That’s not necessarily a bad idea, but this will put extra stress on the bullpen. A true relief pitcher needs to be able to handle multiple innings. Daniel Hudson makes for a quality bridge between starter and closer.
His three-digit H/9, K/9, and pitching clutch are all incredible, even for other top-tier relievers. Yet this is just the tip of the iceberg. Looking at the rest of his pitching stats, every attribute except for stamina is at least an 85.
9Closing Pitcher - Rollie Fingers - 95.03 OVR
Teams that want towin the World Seriesshould never underestimate the power of a good closer. Rollie Fingers was a key player that led his bullpen to three straight titles, the only time a non-Yankees team has accomplished such a feat.
When it comes to the primary closing stats, Fingers has a 111+ in H/9, K/9, and pitching clutch. He’s got a 79 MPH forkball, not commonly used in today’s game anymore, which makes it particularly effective against opposing players.
8Catcher - Mike Napoli - 96.30 OVR
History hasn’t forgotten Mike Napoli. The one-time All-Star for the Rangers moved to Boston in 2013 and immediately won a World Series championship. The journeyman catcher changed teams six times. It was Texas that kept bringing him back, taking him in on three separate occasions. Given his career, they probably wished he stayed with them the entire time.
It’s not hard to see why Napoli gets the top spot for catchers. He’s got 122+ scores in both contact categories and another 125 in clutch hitting. Napoli also has some power, but it is rare to get this kind of average and consistency from a catcher.
7First Baseman - Frank Thomas - 102.06 OVR
Despite having low speed and fielding, there is nobody preferable to Frank Thomas at first base. Some might think of replacing him for these lower attributes or at least having himchange positions, but that’s a mistake.
RELATED:MLB The Show 22: How To Slide, Dive, And Jump
Aside from bunting, every one of Thomas' hitting attributes is 100 or greater. That is not something any other card in the game can boast, especially since it’s true against righties and lefties alike. Don’t worry, his bat will make up for any perceived shortcoming.
6Second Baseman - Chase Utley - 96.85 OVR
The Phillies may have lost the World Series without Chase Utley’s glove at a critical moment. He threw out a runner at home after faking a throw to first base to keep the game tied. But that’s not to say that Utley was only a pretty piece of leather.
Utley’s bat is more notable than his fielding because he’s a second baseman that hits like a powerful left fielder. He’ll do fine at the top of the lineup, but don’t be afraid to use him for his quirk that improves his abilities when there are runners on base.Throw on some equipmentand he’s doing what no other second baseman can.
5Third Baseman - George Brett - 106.92 OVR
George Brett is not only considered one ofthe best third basemenof all time, he’s currently the highest-rated card in Diamon Dynasty. At the plate, his contact is over 120 against both handedness of pitching and his power isn’t far behind.
When putting him on auto-pilot, Brett is unreal, with 125 scores in clutch and vision to go with a 106 in vision. Currently, it’s wise to walk him every time he gets up to the plate, pitching to him is going to end badly more often than not.
4Shortstop - Michael Young - 95.76 OVR
The era of the career .300 hitter seems like it is quickly expiring. Michael Young is one of the few that this generation has seen accomplish the feat, finishing at exactly .300, with a respectable amount of home runs and RBIs to go along with it.
Don’t sleep on Michael Young at the plate. With 112+ contact against any kind of pitching, he can almost hit any ball into play with his eyes shut. He’s not devoid of power or clutch, either, and his quirks reveal as much.
3Left Fielder - Yordan Alvarez - 96.97 OVR
Amongthe best left fielders of today, Yordan Alvarez has secured a spot. Shockingly, he’s currently also the best left fielder in all of Diamond Dynasty. He got his first All-Star nod in 2022. Whoever is making the cards has otherworldly plans for Alvarez.
RELATED:MLB The Show 22: How To Make The Best Batting Stance
Against righties, he boasts a monstrous 125 rating. He can hit for contact too, going for triple-digits regardless of which side the pitcher is throwing from. Slap on yet another three-digit clutch rating and some above-average defense to make Alvarez the ideal left fielder.
2Center Fielder - Cedric Mullins - 96.68 OVR
After a few years of struggling to stay in the MLB, 2021 came around and saw Mullins not just establish himself as one ofthe elite players in center field, but also as a member of the increasingly rare 30-30 club. Speed and hitting are what center fielders need and Mullins has both.
On basepaths, his lowest score is an 82, so he’s ready for some steals. Getting on base shouldn’t be an issue either with scores in the hundreds in both contact categories. Against righties, his 106 rating for power is good for a handful of home runs each season as well.
