The 8th Inning has landed in MLB The Show, with a new round of Cornerstone Evolution cards in addition to the Boss pack. We're looking at a similar structure as the last Inning, which includes a quicker grind to the Boss packs so you can begin adding some new high-level players to your squad.
8th Inning Cornerstone Evolution Players
The new Cornerstone Evolution players are here, featuring:
Each Evolution program includes five Moments and a stack of missions using the lower-rated version of each player. These are designed to be fast and with this set being the first 99 overalls, can be a big boost for lapsed players returning.
Cornerstone packs are unlocked at:
- 7,500 XP
- 22,500 XP
- 57,500 XP
XP Path Reward
A 99 overall Prime Todd Helton clocks in as the 8th Inning XP Path reward and is earned at 115,000 XP.
From there, Boss Choice Packs roll in at:
- 155,000 XP – First Boss Pack
- 265,000 XP – Second Boss Pack
8th Inning Bosses
A very fun trio that definitely speaks to the millennial crowd, with three prominent 90's/00's stars headlining. There's really nothing to hate on with any of these cards, as they're incredible versions of popular legends that are offered up in the Inning Program.
Pedro gets what appears to be a genuinely elite card, which most likely makes him my first pick. He's obviously gotten 99 overall cards since being added to Diamond Dynasty back in 2020, but at times his cards have vastly under-performed his real world dominance. This card wraps up elite attributes with a stellar pitch mix and hopefully yields better results.
Vlad Sr. and Piazza are just absolute mashers. Vlad has his trademark cannon arm in RF which should allow you to easily mow down runners going for extra bases, and Piazza gets 1B secondary eligibility which offers some flexibility if you like your current Catcher but still want Piazza on your squad. There's no shortage of new cards that hit DD today, including some beefy Catchers, so it's a real consideration for many.
Stat missions and exchange tiers return, offering up to 50,000 XP total from the exchanges and the missions providing a quick boost. It's conceivable to advance far enough in the program to unlock Helton, if not the your first Boss pack, simply by doing the missions, exchanges, and having the voucher from the previous Inning. With Triple XP still rolling, you can boost through the new program quicker than ever before.
The XP cap finishes at 340,000 XP, where you’ll earn a Deluxe Choice Pack before entering wheel spin territory for extra rewards. The 8th Inning Program has quite a few Deluxe Choice Packs, so anyone looking to make up progress with collections can work toward those while grinding the newest content. There was a new Legends and Flashbacks collection today as well, so these packs have some extra value for the catch-up-crowd.
Which 8th Inning Bosses are you taking your packs? Will the new Cornerstone Evolution cards crack your squad? Let us know in the comments!
Cory Wayne Dell
Cory has been writing about all things baseball and gaming since 2022 and has been featured at Operation Sports as well as cited by Forbes. Cory is also a multi-instrumentalist and founder of the band Cargocastle. Cargocastle's latest single, "Truth and Reconciliation," is available on Spotify and all major streaming platforms. Cory is also the author of Shadow of a Monster, a personal memoir currently seeking publication.
