Fastest Way to Complete the New MLB The Show 25 Finest Program

MLB The Show 25 is deep into its yearly content cycle, but San Diego Studio (SDS) refuses to slow down. The newest Finest Program just dropped, and it instantly shook up Ranked Seasons, collections, and roster building for competitive players. Not only does this program deliver five new Finest cards—each bringing elite attributes and new MLB The Show 25 Stubs—but it also raises bigger questions about who deserved a Finest this year and who may have been snubbed.

Whether you're looking to complete the Cal Raleigh collection, refresh your god squad, or test your skills in Ranked against legends like Satchel Paige, this update has something for everyone. Here’s a full breakdown of the new program, how it plays, how the cards stack up, and why this might be one of the most impactful content drops of the year.

A Closer Look at the Five New Finest Cards

The highlight of today’s content update is the addition of five new Finest players. While some names were expected, others answered lingering questions fans have been asking for weeks—especially regarding a certain superstar outfielder.

Let’s break down each of the new additions.

Brian Abreu – A High-Ceiling, High-Risk Reliever

The program begins with Brian Abreu, a right-handed reliever whose profile perfectly fits the late-inning meta of MLB The Show 25. His attributes are headlined by:

Max Hits/9

Max Clutch

A strong pitch mix with enough movement to keep hitters uncomfortable

His only downside? Control. At times, Abreu can feel like he’s fighting you more than the batter is. However, if you can command him even moderately well, he brings elite stuff that pairs beautifully with this year’s hitting engine, which rewards movement and outlier-level break on pitches.

Abreu might not instantly replace your top bullpen options, but he is absolutely viable—and for many players, he’ll be a lock for the ninth inning.

Ben Rice – Lefty Power With Positional Flexibility

Next up is Ben Rice, one of the sneaky best cards in the program. Rice offers:

Max power vs lefties

A usable swing in both offline and online modes

Catcher as a secondary position, which dramatically increases his lineup value

With catcher being notoriously thin in high-end power options—outside Cal Raleigh and a few specialty cards—Rice becomes a great plug-and-play option. His first-base eligibility is useful, but his value spikes the moment you move him behind the plate.

For players who have been waiting for another big left-handed bat at C, this is arguably one of the most practical cards in the entire drop.

Dansby Swanson – A Strong Shortstop in a Crowded Field

The third reward is Dansby Swanson, a well-rounded shortstop with:

Elite hitting against lefties

Solid defensive attributes

A smooth, familiar swing that many players love

However, shortstop in The Show 25 is loaded. With top-tier options like Elly De La Cruz, Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson, and others already dominating the meta, Swanson enters a fiercely competitive space.

Still, he’s no slouch. Against left-handed pitching, Swanson becomes a nightmare matchup, and his defense is fully capable of locking down the middle infield. If you run theme teams, platoons, or simply want another elite SS to rotate in, Swanson fits the bill.

James Wood – A Fan-Favorite Finally Gets His Finest

The card many players have been waiting for is finally here: James Wood.

Fans were shocked when Wood didn’t receive a Team Affinity Finest, but SDS saved him for this spotlight moment—and he looks incredible.

James Wood brings:

Towering power

A long but surprisingly clean swing

Strong fielding for a big-body outfielder

Great speed and defensive versatility

All-around elite hitting attributes

He immediately becomes one of the most dangerous outfield bats in the game. His combination of size, power, and arm strength makes him a dual threat both at the plate and on defense.

One swing in Ranked was enough to show why players were begging for this card—he launched a 404-foot bomb off Satchel Paige moments after entering the lineup. Wood is primed to be a staple on competitive rosters moving forward.

Bryce Harper – The Headliner, The Question Mark, The Answer

The final card of the program—and the one fans have been asking about for months—is Finest Bryce Harper.

Until now, the game had yet to deliver a 99 Harper, which many found surprising. That absence ends today.

Harper comes with:

Beautiful power splits

Strong overall hitting

A refined, buttery swing

Solid defense that easily plays in the corners

The only drawback is his clutch rating. At 105, it’s good—but compared to other Finest players sitting well above that threshold, some players feel Harper deserved a bit more. Still, his bat speaks for itself. In testing, Harper immediately roped a gap shot to tie the game and proved he can perform when it matters.

Harper’s addition rounds out the program with the star power fans were waiting for.

How to Complete the Program Quickly

One of the best aspects of this Finest Program is its accessibility. SDS has made it extremely easy to complete:

Fastest Path to 100 Points

Collect 3 Team Affinity Finest players – 20 points

Complete all moments – Fast and simple

Finish stat missions and Parallel XP missions – Can be knocked out in a couple games

Play a few innings with the new cards to round out remaining progress

No grinds, no walls, no endless loops. Just straightforward progression.

The program also rewards a Finest pack, giving players even more value and another high-end card for collections.

Testing the Cards in Ranked Seasons

Once the new Finest players were added to the squad, the next step was taking them into Ranked… and immediately facing Satchel Paige, one of the most intimidating pitchers in the game.

Even with a few early mistakes—forgetting to turn on the Cal Raleigh captain boost, swinging at ball four, and adjusting to Satchel’s timing windows—the new cards quickly showed their potential.

Bryce Harper worked a tough walk, then delivered a crucial RBI double.

Dansby Swanson smashed multiple perfect swings, including an opposite-field homer.

James Wood obliterated a monster 404-foot home run that chased Satchel from the game.

Ben Rice produced strong contact, even if some lineouts didn’t fall.

Brian Abreu came in for a clean save with dominant breaking stuff.

The only real enemy? RNG and PCI heartbreak, as several perfect and near-perfect swings died in gloves.

Pitching Spotlight: Tarik Skubal Dominates

While the position players grabbed the headlines, Tarik Skubal quietly delivered a gem:

7 innings pitched

2 earned runs

8 strikeouts

Consistent ground-ball contact

His ability to sequence sinkers, sliders, and changeups kept the lineup off balance. Even when Vlad Guerrero Jr. somehow legged out a triple—leading to a perplexing run—Skubal stayed composed.

The bullpen closed things out smoothly, with Abreu slamming the door in the ninth.

This debut game wasn’t always clean, but it showcased just how powerful these new players can be when clicking.

Which Finest Cards Are Still Missing?

Now that the majority of Finest content is in the game, fans are beginning to debate who deserved a Finest but didn’t receive one.

Common community picks include:

Zach Neto – A breakout candidate many Angels fans wanted

Pitching sleepers like Hunter Brown

Various relievers and position players who had big 2024 seasons but were overshadowed

While Neto does have a 99 Player of the Month card, a Finest version would have been a great addition. With SDS still planning content drops in the coming weeks, there’s always a chance one or two late Finest cards sneak in—but for now, this program represents the bulk of the roster.

The Future of MLB The Show 25 Content

This update also signals that SDS is preparing for another round of themed content: all-time teams, special team builds, and creative roster challenges. With so many Finest cards now available, the next month and beyond will likely be loaded with videos, roster breakdowns, and competitive experimentation buy MLB 25 Stubs.

Players still have countless pitchers and relievers they haven’t tried yet, including:

Garrett Crochet

Hunter Brown

A wave of Finest bullpen arms

Additional Team Affinity rewards

The variety in this year’s endgame is shaping up to be one of the best in franchise history.

Final Thoughts: A Competitive Meta About to Shift Again

The MLB The Show 25 Finest Program drop delivers exactly what players wanted:

Big names

High-end attributes

A legendary debut for James Wood

The long-awaited 99 Bryce Harper

An easy, grind-free progression path

The first test run in Ranked showed flashes of brilliance and a few growing pains, but overall, the new cards lived up to the hype. Whether you're grinding collections, creating all-time lineups, or taking on elite pitchers like Satchel Paige, these Finest players add depth and firepower to every roster.

More content is still on the way, but if this program is any indication, the final stretch of MLB The Show 25 is shaping up to be one of the strongest ever.