MLB The Show 25: 1st Inning Program Bosses Ranked

The MLB The Show 25 1st Inning Program is here, and with it comes three 88 OVR Bosses: Manny Ramirez, Adrian Beltre, and Mark McGwire. Each of these cards brings unique strengths to Diamond Dynasty, giving players solid options early in the game cycle. Let’s break down each Boss, including key attributes, Quirks, True Overall ratings, and how they compare to other top cards available right now.

Manny Ramirez (88 OVR Postseason Series)

Making his long-awaited MLB The Show debut, Manny Ramirez headlines this program with an 88 OVR Postseason card. As expected, Manny is all about offense, offering elite hitting attributes that make him a dangerous bat in any lineup.

Key Attributes:

• Contact vs. RHP/LHP: 82/105
• Power vs. RHP/LHP: 81/87
• Vision: 73
• Discipline: 86
• Fielding: 61
• Reaction: 53
• Arm Strength: 84
• Speed: 50

True Overall: 88.5

#6 LF

#25 overall hitter

Scouting Report

Manny's debut Diamond has a strong offensive profile for an early game card. We already know the defense is suspect, and Manny will be most comfortable at DH. If you run him in the outfield, he does have a strong arm, though I'm not sure how much it'll matter when the runners are standing at 3B by the time Manny gets the ball to the infield.

Adrian Beltre (88 OVR Contributor Series)

Adrian Beltre returns to MLB The Show 25 as a defensive stalwart at third base. With excellent reaction time, arm strength, and solid hitting stats, he’s one of the most well-rounded third basemen available early on.

Key Attributes:

• Contact vs. RHP/LHP: 88/81
• Power vs. RHP/LHP: 66/59
• Vision: 82
• Fielding: 88
• Arm Strength: 83
• Reaction: 89
• Speed: 71

True Overall: 87.9

#3 3B

#3 SS

#30 overall hitter

Scouting Report:

Beltre holds up well against virtually every 3B in the game. Not only that, but he carries SS eligibility which is vastly more valuable this year. The purge of secondaries means we won't have the same options at every position like we've been used to. This versatility is strengthened by Beltre's Gold Fielding and Reaction time paired with 71 Speed. This is a usable SS.

Mark McGwire (88 OVR All-Star Series)

If you’re looking for pure power at first base, Mark McGwire is your guy. His All-Star Series card is built to mash home runs and drive in runs, though he sacrifices speed and defense.

Key Attributes:

• Contact vs. RHP/LHP: 80/90
• Power vs. RHP/LHP: 104/109
• Vision: 33
• Clutch: 83
• Fielding: 72
• Speed: 41

True Overall: 87.9

#6 1B

#8 overall hitter per Meta Overall

Scouting Report:

McGwire’s card is fittingly all about raw power. Solid Contact and Clutch pairs nicely with the 100+ Power against both sides. However, the 33 Vision is going to be more relevant than it's ever been. With hitting being tuned and exit velocities being nerfed a bit, solid contact is more important than ever.

The upside is you can play this card in the field without fretting it too much. An ideal DH that can still field the position and allow some flexibility with DH.

papadell's First Pick - Manny Ramirez

This one is tough. Early season grinding is always a blast and there's been some fun cards available already. Manny as the new legend of the bunch makes him incredibly appealing, but with reports that long hair/dreads are causing framerate issues again - it reasonably adds some hesitation.

1B and DH already have plenty of fun options for me, but the allure of Big Mac is always there. Especially since I haven't used him much since he joined the legend roster a couple years ago.

Beltre has one of my favorite swings and having SS eligibility only makes him more attractive.

Normally, there's a clear pick that requires little debate for me. Manny would be a DH only for me, which would lock me into that position. Still, knowing I get a second pick makes Manny my first choice with the second choice being more of a debate that will be decided by my roster at the time I get my second choice pack.

Closing Thoughts

The 1st Inning Bosses offer something for every playstyle. Manny Ramirez is an elite bat with questionable defense, Adrian Beltre provides a great balance of offense and defense at 3B and SS, and Mark McGwire is one of the best power hitters available. You can earn up to two of these Bosses for free by grinding XP in the program, with the option to grab the third on the marketplace to earn 30,000 XP in the 2nd Inning Program.

Got a favorite from this drop? Let us know in the comments!