In MLB The Show 25, Stubs are the lifeblood of Diamond Dynasty. Whether you’re aiming to complete collections, enter events, or snag your favorite legends, you’ll need a steady flow of this in-game currency. The big question is: should you open your wallet or grind it out? Here’s a breakdown of both approaches to help you decide.
1. Buying Stubs: The Fast Track
For many players, especially those with limited free time, buying Stubs is the most efficient way to stay competitive in MLB The Show 25. With just a few clicks, you can instantly load up your in-game wallet and start acquiring high-value player cards, packs, or completing collections that would otherwise take weeks of grinding.
How It Works
Stubs are available for purchase directly through the in-game store on all platforms (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch). Pricing usually follows a tiered structure—for example:
- 1,000 Stubs – $0.99
- 11,000 Stubs – $9.99
- 150,000 Stubs – $99.99
There are occasionally bundle deals or limited-time discounts during promotional events, such as the launch of new content seasons or holidays.
When Buying Makes Sense
Buying MLB The Show 25 stubs makes the most sense if:
- You want to build a meta team quickly for ranked Diamond Dynasty.
- You’re chasing a limited-time card drop or pack event, and need Stubs fast.
- You’re behind on collections and want to unlock big rewards like Legend cards.
- You’re a casual player who values gameplay over time-consuming grinding.
Instead of spending dozens of hours grinding missions or flipping cards in the marketplace, a $20–$50 Stub purchase can give you a massive head start—saving time while keeping the game fun.
Risks and Considerations
While buying Stubs is completely legal through the in-game store, some players are tempted by third-party sellers advertising “cheap Stubs.” This is risky. Third-party Stubs often violate the game’s Terms of Service, and using them could lead to account suspension or banning.
To avoid that, only buy Stubs through official channels. It’s safe, secure, and ensures your gameplay experience stays uninterrupted.
Bottom Line
Buying Stubs isn’t for everyone—but if you’re looking for instant gratification, want to stay competitive in online play, or simply don’t have time to grind, it’s the fastest and most convenient option available.
2. Farming Stubs: The Grind
For players who enjoy the satisfaction of earning every bit of progress through gameplay, farming Stubs in MLB The Show 25 remains a rewarding — and completely free — alternative to spending real money. While this route demands more time and consistency, it also deepens your connection with the game and teaches you how to master its mechanics, economy, and game modes.
Top Stub Farming Methods
Here are the most effective ways to earn Stubs without spending a dime:
1. Diamond Dynasty Programs & Missions
One of the most consistent and beginner-friendly ways to earn Stubs in MLB The Show 25 is by completing in-game Programs and Missions. These are essentially progression paths tied to various game modes, events, and featured players.
Most Programs include:
- Moments: Short, specific gameplay scenarios (e.g., “hit a home run with Player X”) that can be completed quickly.
- Stat Missions: Accumulate stats like hits, strikeouts, or total bases using players from certain teams or series.
- PXP Missions: Earn Player XP (PXP) by using featured players in any mode, especially in offline games for easier progress.
Completing missions unlocks tiers in the Program, which reward you with:
- Packs (which can be sold or opened for cards to sell)
- Player items (some worth 10,000+ Stubs)
- Direct Stub payouts (usually from 1,000 to 10,000 per tier)
For example, finishing a Featured Program to 100% can easily net you 30,000+ Stubs, not counting the value of cards and packs along the way.
The best part? These missions are updated regularly, and many can be completed without needing to play online—making this method accessible to all players.
● 2. Conquest Mode
Conquest is a turn-based, offline mode where you “capture” territories on a map by winning 3-inning games against CPU teams. It might look like a casual side-mode, but it’s packed with hidden rewards—perfect for Stub farming.
Each map contains:
- Hidden rewards like standard packs, Headliners, Ballin’ Is a Habit packs, and even Stubs.
- Goal rewards for objectives like capturing strongholds or completing the map within a turn limit.
On average, completing a single conquest map can earn:
- 5–10 packs (worth 7,500+ Stubs if sold or opened)
- 5,000–15,000 Stubs from goals and discoveries
- Dozens of cards and perks to flip in the market
Best of all, these are 3-inning games against the CPU. You can play at your own pace with no pressure. Many players run through conquest maps while multitasking, making it a great “passive” farming method.
For new players especially, this is a no-risk, high-reward way to build your Stub bankroll while expanding your team collection.
● 3. Marketplace Flipping
The in-game Community Market functions like a stock exchange. Smart players earn thousands of Stubs per day just by flipping—buying low and selling high. It’s one of the most powerful tools in MLB The Show 25 if you understand the basics of supply, demand, and timing.
Here’s how it works:
- Look for player cards, perks, or equipment with a large buy/sell spread (difference between the lowest sell order and the highest buy order).
- Place a buy order slightly above the highest existing one.
- Once you receive the item, place a sell order slightly below the lowest seller.
- Profit the difference—minus a 10% market tax.
Let’s say you buy a Gold-tier player for 700 Stubs and sell for 1,100. After tax, that’s a 290 Stub profit. Multiply that across 10–20 cards per day and you can earn 10,000–30,000 Stubs daily without playing any games.
Pro tips:
- Focus on high-volume cards with frequent movement.
- Flip during peak times like pack drops or Featured Program releases.
- Track margins using third-party tools or spreadsheets if needed.
This method requires patience and a little economic intuition, but once mastered, it can outperform most gameplay-based methods in terms of raw profit per hour.
4. Showdowns & Moments
If you’re looking for short-form gameplay with meaningful rewards, then Showdowns and Moments are excellent Stub farming tools—especially if you enjoy high-pressure challenges.
Showdowns
Showdowns are a draft-based game mode where you build a custom lineup and face off against a series of mini-challenges and final boss battles.
How Showdowns Work:
- You start by drafting a team of hitters and perks.
- You face short scenarios (e.g., “Score 1 run in 2 outs”) that give rewards and upgrades.
- You accumulate runs for the final showdown.
- In the final challenge, you must defeat a high-rated pitcher (like deGrom or Verlander) in a comeback scenario (e.g., “Score 15 runs before 20 outs”).
Stub Value:
- Completing a full showdown can earn you packs, player items, and up to 5,000–10,000+ Stubs depending on what you pull.
- You’ll also gain XP toward Programs and unlock additional missions.
Showdowns are repeatable and ideal for players confident in clutch hitting. If you fail, you can retry at low cost, and each run takes only 20–30 minutes.
Moments
Moments are single-inning or single-at-bat gameplay challenges, often tied to historical feats or player spotlight cards.
Examples include:
- “Hit 2 HRs with Babe Ruth in 1 game.”
- “Strike out 3 batters in 1 inning with Nolan Ryan.”
Why They’re Worth It:
- They’re quick (most take 2–5 minutes).
- They’re essential for completing Programs that grant Stubs and packs.
- Many unlock time-limited content during Featured Programs.
If you’re short on time, running through daily or weekly Moments is one of the fastest low-effort ways to build Stubs over time.
● 5. Ranked Seasons & Battle Royale
If you thrive on competitive online gameplay, these two multiplayer modes are packed with high-value Stub rewards—especially if you’re skilled enough to rise in the ranks.
Ranked Seasons
In Ranked Seasons, you use your best Diamond Dynasty team to play full 9-inning games against other players online. You’re matched based on rating, with rewards tied to your season-ending rank.
Stub Earning Potential:
- Advancing to higher tiers (Wild Card, Division Series, World Series) earns you exclusive player cards.
- These cards can be sold for 20,000–150,000+ Stubs, depending on rarity and market demand.
- You also earn XP and Program progress per win.
Even mid-tier players can break even or profit by reaching Championship Series or higher—a viable route for competitive grinders.
Battle Royale (BR)
BR is a 3-inning, 12-game elimination mode with a drafted team of Silver-to-Diamond players. It’s fast-paced and skill-intensive.
Why It Pays Off:
- You can enter with BR Tokens (earned through Programs) or pay a small Stub fee (1,500).
- Going 12-0 rewards you with Flawless rewards—cards that sell for 100,000+ Stubs.
- Even a modest 6–8 win run gives solid rewards: packs, XP, and a few thousand Stubs.
Pro Tip: Even if you’re not aiming for 12 wins, completing BR missions and events tied to the mode can yield surprising Stub value over time.
