If you're grinding through Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 25, one name you're definitely going to want in your rotation is John Donaldson. Known for his dynamic pitch arsenal and deceptive delivery, Donaldson has become a fan favorite over the past few editions of the game, especially among players looking to dominate online matchups. This year, though, acquiring him requires a bit more work, and quite possibly some MLB 25 Stubs to speed things up.

 

Here's everything you need to know to unlock John Donaldson and make him a fixture in your lineup.

 

Who Is John Donaldson

 

John Donaldson was a legendary pitcher and outfielder from the Negro Leagues, whose dominance and versatility made him a pioneer of the game. His inclusion in MLB The Show is part of the ongoing initiative to honor Negro Leagues history, spearheaded by the game's Storylines mode.

 

In MLB The Show 25, Donaldson boasts a 90 Overall card featuring five nasty pitches: a fastball, sinker, forkball, slurve, and slider. Even though this version is a downgrade from last year's elite card, it still gives you a powerful lefty capable of dismantling top-tier hitters.

 

And let's be honest, when your opponent sees John Donaldson on the mound, they know it's going to be a long nine innings.

 

To unlock Donaldson, you'll need to complete a collection that includes 20 out of 24 Negro Leagues cards. This collection spans several different modes and events, and while it's all achievable through gameplay, using MLB The Show 25 Stubs can significantly shorten the grind, especially when hunting down the harder-to-get cards.

 

Step 1: Complete Negro Leagues Storylines

 

Your first stop should be the Negro Leagues Storylines mode on the main menu. There are seven episodes, and completing each one rewards you with a unique Negro Leagues player. If you complete the storylines for James “Cool Papa” Bell, Bullet Rogan, and Norman “Turkey” Stearnes, you'll unlock an eighth bonus card to add to your collection.

 

While some of the storylines can be a little time-consuming, they're worth the effort, not just for the cards, but also for the immersive history they bring to the game.

 

Step 2: Jackie Robinson Day Showdown

 

Inside Diamond Dynasty, you'll find the Jackie Robinson Day Showdown event. While it's not required for unlocking Donaldson, it's a fast and efficient way to earn more cards for the collection. Each time you complete the showdown, you'll earn a Negro Leagues Choice Pack, giving you access to some valuable players you might be missing.

 

Step 3: Jackie Robinson Day Program

 

This special program grants five Negro Leagues cards, including an 89 Overall Jackie Robinson. These cards count toward your 20-card collection goal. If you're aiming to do everything through gameplay without dipping into your MLB 25 Stubs, this program is essential.

 

Step 4: Collection Bonuses and Multiplayer Program

 

Once you've collected 13 Negro Leagues cards, you'll receive Larry Doby as a bonus card to help push you closer to 20.

 

Don't forget about the Multiplayer Program, which rewards you with Martin Dihigo, another must-have for the Donaldson collection.

 

Where to Find Each Required Card

 

Here's a breakdown of where to get all 24 Negro Leagues cards:

 

Storylines:

    James “Cool Papa” Bell

    Bullet Rogan

    Turkey Stearnes

    Buck Leonard

    Oscar Charleston

    Leroy Matlock

    William “Big Bill” Johnson

    Biz Mackey

    Monte Irvin

 

Showdown:

    Bill Foster

    Toni Stone

    Jose Mendez

    Buck O'Neill

 

Jackie Robinson Day Program:

    Rap Dixon

    Andy Cooper

    Rube Foster

    Leon Day

    Jackie Robinson

 

42 Conquest Map:

    Hilton Smith

 

Marketplace Only:

    Josh Gibson

    Satchel Paige

 

Multiplayer Program:

    Martin Dihigo

 

Collection Milestone:

    Larry Doby (unlocked at 13 collected cards)

 

If you're missing cards like Josh Gibson or Satchel Paige, you may need to head to the marketplace and buy them using MLB The Show 25 Stubs. These high-value players are often expensive due to their performance and rarity, so be prepared to spend.

 

Tips for Earning MLB 25 Stubs

 

If you don't want to open your wallet, there are plenty of ways to grind for MLB 25 Stubs through gameplay:

 

    Sell duplicate players from packs or events.

    Complete Daily and Weekly Moments for stub rewards.

    Grind Ranked Seasons or Battle Royale, which offer stub payouts based on performance.

    Flip cards on the marketplace, buying low and selling high.

 

However, if you're short on time and just want to complete the Donaldson collection quickly, purchasing a few cards directly using MLB The Show 25 Stubs can be a worthy investment, especially if you're just one or two pieces away.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Unlocking John Donaldson in MLB The Show 25 requires dedication and strategy. Whether you grind out every single program or choose to spend some MLB 25 Stubs to grab the final pieces, it's well worth the effort. With his powerful arm and elite pitch variety, Donaldson can anchor any Diamond Dynasty rotation.

 

And don't forget, this is likely just the beginning. A higher-rated version of Donaldson may drop later in the season, giving you another chance to add an even more dominant version of the legendary southpaw to your squad.

 

So get started on those storylines, keep grinding those events, and watch your MLB The Show 25 Stubs balance wisely. Your path to John Donaldson begins now.