On November 22, Season 4 of MLB The Show 24 arrived. Not only did the new season include the Finest drop but also gave players to use all cards in the game freely across all game modes. That means plenty of choices and combinations. With the endgame portion of MLB The Show 24 now in effect, here’s a look at the best cards in Diamond Dynasty, sorted by position.

Infielders

Let’s start with the best infielder cards in MLB The Show 24 Diamond Dynasty, beginning with the catchers:

C

1. 2024 Finest William Contreras (99 OVR)
2. Awards Adley Rutschman (99 OVR)
3. Retro Finest Jorge Posada (99 OVR)
4. Hall of Fame Joe Mauer (99 OVR)
5. Jin Kim Josh Gibson (99 OVR)
6. Captain Carlos Santana (99 OVR)
7. Awards Salvador Perez (99 OVR)
8. Awards Mitch Garver (99 OVR)
9. Awards Gary Sanchez (99 OVR)
10. Awards Ivan Rodriguez (99 OVR)

1B

1. Hall of Fame Lou Gehrig (99 OVR)
2. 2024 Finest Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (99 OVR)
3. 2024 Finest Bryce Harper (99 OVR)
4. Milestone Carlos Santana (99 OVR)
5. Retro Finest Rafael Palmeiro (99 OVR)
6. Retro Finest Justin Morneau (99 OVR)
7. Hall of Fame Todd Helton (99 OVR)
8. Action Figure David Ortiz (99 OVR)
9. Retro Finest Paul Goldschmidt (99 OVR)
10. Jin Kim Buck Leonard (99 OVR)

2B

1. 2024 Finest Ketel Marte (99 OVR)
2. Finest Jorge Polanco (99 OVR)
3. Hall of Fame Jackie Robinson (99 OVR)
4. Awards Matt Carpenter (99 OVR)
5. Hall of Fame Craig Biggio (99 OVR)
6. Hyper Brian Roberts (99 OVR)
7. Retro Finest Alfonso Soriano (99 OVR)
8. MLB Draft Travis Bazzana (99 OVR)
9. Action Figure Ryne Sandberg (99 OVR)
10. Retro Finest Brian Dozier (99 OVR)

3B

1. 2024 Finest Jose Ramirez (99 OVR)
2. Hall of Fame Chipper Jones (99 OVR)
3. Hyper Eduardo Escobar (99 OVR)
4. Retro Finest David Wright (99 OVR)
5. Action Figure Eddie Mathews (99 OVR)
6. Milestone Nolan Arenado (99 OVR)
7. 2024 Finest Alex Bregman (99 OVR)
8. 2024 Finest Matt Chapman (99 OVR)
9. 2024 Postseason Mark Vientos (99 OVR)
10. Milestone George Brett (99 OVR)

SS

1. Postseason Corey Seager (99 OVR)
2. 2024 Finest Trea Turner (99 OVR)
3. 2024 Finest Bobby Witt Jr. (99 OVR)
4. Action Figure Ernie Banks (99 OVR)
5. Milestone Jimmy Rollins (99 OVR)
6. 2024 Postseason Francisco Lindor (99 OVR)
7. Finest Bo Bichette (99 OVR)
8. 2024 Postseason Tommy Edman (99 OVR)
9. Hyper Brad Miller (99 OVR)
10. Awards Barry Larkin (99 OVR)

Since it’s Season 4, we’ve expanded the best players for each position from five to 10.

Even though there have been four seasons of cards, many of the best options are from Seasons 3 & 4. That’s because Sony San Diego released cards that simply have better stats. Take, for example, the 99 OVR Postseason Lindor. There was a previously-released Season Awards Lindor in Season 3. But, the Postseason card has better Power vs. RHP and better overall contact.

We’ll start with the catcher position. Several strong switch-hitters from Season 1, including 99 OVR Jorge Posada and 99 OVR Carlos Santana, return to the meta. However, 99 OVR William Contreras slightly edges those two, plus 99 OVR Rutschman & Mauer, out.

At first, Lou Gehrig is still the top option. Albeit, barely. 99 OVR Bryce Harper and 99 OVR Vlad Jr. give Gehrig a run for the money. And in my opinion, Guerrero Jr. has a better swing than both of them.

At second base, the 2024 Finest Ketel Marte is insane. Marte has maxed out stats versus lefties and can destroy righties, as well. Plus, the Diamondback is also a switch hitter. 99 OVR Jorge Polanco, which can be unlocked in the Extreme Program, is realistically the only second baseman that comes close to Marte.

Meanwhile, at shortstop, 99 OVR Corey Seager edges out returners in Milestone Jimmy Rollins, as well as newcomers Trea Turner and Bobby Witt Jr. 99 OVR Trea Turner cards are generally must-own, and that’s the case in 2024. Turner has almost 100 Power vs. RHP, 115 Power vs. LHP, and maxed-out Speed.

Lastly, at third, it’s a battle between 99 OVR Chipper and 99 OVR Jose Ramirez. Ramirez has better power. “J-Ram” can be found in the Season 4 XP Path.

Outfielders

Now, for the best outfielder cards in MLB The Show 24:

LF

1. Milestone Yordan Alvarez (99 OVR)
2. 2024 Finest Bryan Reynolds (99 OVR)
3. Home Run Derby Teoscar Hernandez (99 OVR)
4. Hall of Fame Rickey Henderson (99 OVR)
5. Action Figure Tim Raines (99 OVR)
6. 2024 Finest Ian Happ (99 OVR)
7. Action Figure Billy Williams (99 OVR)
8. Awards Luis Gonzalez (99 OVR)
9. Action Figure Matt Holliday (99 OVR)
10. Season Awards Jurickson Profar (99 OVR)
11. Awards Dante Bichette (99 OVR)

CF

1. Hall of Fame Ken Griffey Jr. (99 OVR)
2. Hall of Fame Mickey Mantle (99 OVR)
3. Retro Finest Mike Trout (99 OVR)
4. Retro Finest George Springer (99 OVR)
5. Milestone Charlie Blackmon (99 OVR)
6. Action Figure Bernie Williams (99 OVR)
7. 2024 Finest Jackson Merrill (99 OVR)
8. Action Figure Larry Doby (99 OVR)
9. Signature Chili Davis (99 OVR)
10. Hall of Fame Willie Mays (99 OVR)

RF

1. Awards Ronald Acuna Jr. (99 OVR)
2. Hall of Fame Hank Aaron (99 OVR)
3. 2024 Postseason Mookie Betts (99 OVR)
4. Retro Finest Cody Bellinger (99 OVR)
5. 2024 Finest Anthony Santander (99 OVR)
6. Halloweek Vladimir Guerrero (99 OVR)
7. Milestone Andrew McCutchen (99 OVR)
8. 2024 Postseason Juan Soto (99 OVR)
9. Retro Finest Paul O’Neill (99 OVR)
10. 2024 Postseason Fernando Tatis Jr. (99 OVR)

Diamond Dynasty players have many options, when it comes to outfielders.

In left field, Yordan Alvarez has it all. An incredible swing, the power, and this card can actually play in left field. That’s not a given with all Alvarez cards, given most have low Speed. Other than Alvarez, Bryan Reynolds is a player one can’t go wrong with.

There’s also a free-to-play option in left field in 99 OVR Ian Happ. Happ can be found in the Holiday Bundle. The Cubs outfielder has a good swing and a switch-hitter.

Moving to center fied and it’s hard to go against 99 OVR Ken Griffey Jr. 99 OVR Mantle actually has the better stats but Griffey has a better swing in my opinion and can hit either lefties or righties. However, Mantle does have the better stats. So, it’s more of a personal choice than anything else.

Last up is right field. 99 OVR Acuna Jr. cards cover all the bases. However, Aaron and Betts also have impressive power. And, don’t sleep on Anthony Santander, a switch hitter that may have one of the best overall swings in MLB The Show.

There is one other option of note, in 99 OVR Milestone Shohei Ohtani. It’s a DH-primary card, which is why it’s not here. But, Ohtani can play all three outfield positions thanks to secondaries. For those who have Ohtani, use the card.

Starters

Let’s take a look at the best starting pitchers:

1. Hall of Fame Randy Johnson (99 OVR)
2. Jin Kim John Donaldson (99 OVR)
3. Hall of Fame Bob Gibson (99 OVR)
4. Awards Jacob deGrom (99 OVR)
5. Hall of Fame Pedro Martinez (99 OVR)
6. Jin Kim Satchel Paige (99 OVR)
7. Hyper Kerry Wood (99 OVR)
8. 2024 Finest Zack Wheeler (99 OVR)
9. Hall of Fame Roy Halladay (99 OVR)
10. Hall of Fame Nolan Ryan (99 OVR)
11. Retro Finest James Paxton (99 OVR)
12. Milestone Justin Verlander (99 OVR)
13. Captain Corbin Burnes (99 OVR)
14. Milestone Chris Sale (99 OVR)
15. Season Awards Sean Manaea (99 OVR)
16. Retro Finest Kyle Freeland (99 OVR)
17. Action Figure Greg Maddux (99 OVR)
18. Action Figure Johan Santana (99 OVR)
19. Hyper Tom Glavine (99 OVR)
20. 2024 Postseason Carlos Rodon (99 OVR)

Let’s start with this: Randy and John Donaldson are the two best starters in the game right now — even in Season 4.

It’s hard to argue that fact. Both have high H/9 and K/9 stats, have outlier on the fastball and hard sliders, plus an offspeed pitch — Johnson’s splitter and Donaldson’s forkball — that keeps hitters honest.

After that, the list gets complicated.

There are many 99 OVR starters in this game and trying to perfect a top-20 truly took four seasons of trial and error. Here are some notes on pitchers who work and don’t work.

Pedro Martinez’s 99 OVR is good. It has Outlier on the fastball, plus a good slider and much-needed sinker to play off the circle change. It beats out Nolan Ryan, a card with 125 H/9 and K/9 but too much vertical movement. Ryan doesn’t have a slider or cutter, which makes working left-handed hitters in tough.

Bob Gibson in ’24, much like in ’23, is a true pain. It’s tough to pick up his delivery and Gibson throws gas. And as for Roy Halladay, the Hall of Famer might be the most surprising — or unsurprising — name on this list. Halladay doesn’t have a slider, nor a plus-plus fastball. But, the fastball is hard enough and his cutter is ridiculously tough to hit.

Other notable arms like Clayton Kershaw (terrible in stretch) and Mike Mussina (not a hard thrower) are tough to use. Dylan Cease’s not hitter card from Season 2 was a popular name to use. But, the key with Cease is effectively using his changeup, which sits in the high-60s to low-70s. Even with 125 H/9, the fastball his very hittable.

Lastly, 99 OVR Milestone Tarik Skubal, obtainable in the 2024 Milestone Program, has great stats but like Kershaw, terrible in the stretch. However, the Sale from that program should suit players well.

Relievers

Lastly, a look at our picks for the best relievers:

1. Prime Aroldis Chapman (99 OVR)
2. 2024 Postseason Aaron Bummer (99 OVR)
3. Retro Finest Andrew Miller (99 OVR)
4. Finest Camilo Doval (99 OVR)
5. Finest Aaron Loup (97 OVR)
6. Milestone Billy Wagner (99 OVR)
7. Hyper Blake Treinen (99 OVR)
8. Captain Joe Kelly (99 OVR)
9. Hall of Fame Mariano Rivera (99 OVR)
10. Milestone Adam Ottavino (99 OVR)
11. Captain Felix Bautista (99 OVR)
12. Halloweek Lee Smith (99 OVR)
13. Finest Brooks Raley (99 OVR)
14. Retro Finest Gregory Soto (99 OVR)
15. 2024 Finest Tanner Scott (99 OVR)
16. Retro Finest Chris Martin (99 OVR)
17. 2024 Finest Justin Martinez (99 OVR)
18. Retro Finest Eric Gagne (99 OVR)
19. Captain Daniel Bard (99 OVR)
20. Retro Finest Kenley Jansen (99 OVR)

Aroldis Chapman has been one of the best in the game for years. That hasn’t changed in 2024, as his 99 OVR Prime card is the best in our estimation. The triple-digit fastball, coupled with all the movement Chapman can use, makes this card a must-own.

Chapman remains the top reliever, even in Season 4. However, the 99 OVR boost for Team Captains changes the game in a lot of ways. Besides the fact that both offer team-themed boosts, both throw hard.

It’s always important to add deceptive pitchers. Aaron Bummer from the 2024 Postseason Prorgrams is incredible. 97 OVR Aaron Loup from S1 might be the most underrated card in the game. 99 OVR Andrew Miller, with his crossfire delivery, is quite powerful.

Then, there are the flamethrowers: Eric Gagne, Billy Wagner, and Lee Smith.

Also, one last note: 99 OVR Kenley Jansen is a bit of a let-down. Jansen has just a sinker, cutter, and slider. Generally, pitchers with that specific arsenal aren’t great to own, especially if there’s no Outlier on any of the pitches. However, the ex-Dodger close is still tough to hit, hence why he’s still here.

Best Captain cards

Rank	Card	Boosts
1	Jackie Robinson	MLB The Show cover athletes
2	Corbin Carroll	Hitters with greater than 84 Speed
3	Joe Kelly	Dodgers
4	Corbin Burnes	2024 Finest
5	Freddie Freeman	2024 Postseason

When Season 4 arrived, all Captains were boosted to 99 OVR. Which, can make for some interesting setups.

There are a lot of good boosts. However, we’ve narrowed them down to five, all of which are highly-versatile.

The Burnes one is obvious. When up to Tier III, it gives a +12 Batting Clutch, +8 Speed, +10 H/9, and +10 BB/9 boost to already-good cards.

The Jackie Robinson one is wild. Robinson, at Tier III, offers a +20 boost to Contact, Clutch, and Speed to cover athletes. Which, can lead to some pretty incredible increases, like Vlad Jr. getting over 90 Speed.

The Corbin Carroll one is underrated. Carroll can boost players with 85+ Speed to Contact, Vision, and Reaction Time. Vision is important, especially at the Hall of Fame level. This boost can target a lot of 99 OVR cards, like Trout, Bellinger, and Ohtani. All three get 100+ Vision with it.

Joe Kelly can jack up the power and H/9 for Dodgers players, a wild boost given there’s so many 99 OVR Dodgers. Plus, it can be paired with Captain Freddie Freeman, who can also boost 2024 Postseason cards.

One card of note that’s not here is Captain Carlos Santana. Santana gives a modest boost (+8 Con. vs. RHP, +5 Fielding, +10 BB/9 to switch-hitters. It’s not a substantial boost whatsoever, even though switch-hitters are very good overall in this game. Plus, the BB/9 increase ins’t helpful unless one is using Lance Lynn, Adam Ottavino, or Kenley Jansen.

Now, it should be noted that those coming back to The Show can’t make use of the Captain glitch, which allowed players to active a Hitter Captain boost without needing it to be in the lineup. The Captain glitch was patched in September 2024. However, all Captains are now 99 OVR, so it’s not the biggest deal.

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Be sure to check out more of our MLB The Show 24 content, including best hitting settings and what’s coming in MLB The Show 25.