A new month means a fresh Spotlight Program loaded with Topps Now and Spotlight cards. This is the first time we've gotten two Spotlight drops in the same week, as Tuesday saw the final April drop and Corbin Carroll revealed as the Lightning Guy.
May Spotlight Program Breakdown
The program is virtually identical to the structure we saw in April. These typically don't change much, so we know what to expect unless SDS does indeed pivot.
Rewards
88 OVR Topps Now Kyle Manzardo
88 OVR Topps Now Zach Agnos
91 OVR Spotlight Kyle Stowers
4 Show Packs
1 Ballin' Is A Habit pack
5,000 XP
May Spotlight Pack 1
How To Complete
The choose your own adventure style returns, offering a collection of Moments that can get you nearly half way through the Program. You can also tackle PXP missions featuring the May Drop 1 cards and earn up to 20 stars, complete a handful of stat missions for up to 24 stars, or complete the optional Spotlight Pack 1 collections.
Collecting the Topps Now cards from May Spotlight Pack 1 earns 15 stars, while collecting the Spotlight cards earns 35. Again, those looking to complete the big collections as they drop might be well served to complete these up front. You end up powering through the mundane parts of the programs, unlocking everything as you go, and filling your binder with everything you'll need in the coming weeks and months.
May Spotlight Pack 1
As with every Spotlight Program, we get a new Spotlight Pack featured in the Show Shop. May Spotlight Pack 1 features the following cards:
Topps Now
- Jake Meyers, CF, Houston Astros (88 OVR)
- Daniel Schneemann, 2B, Cleveland Guardians (88 OVR)
- Gunnar Hoglund, SP, Athletics (88 OVR)
Spotlight
Spotlight 3B Maikel Garcia (Kansas City Royals) - #4 3B True Overall
Garcia features an interesting build, with 90/94 Contact and 101 Clutch and 83 Vision. The Power lags a bit against lefties at 50, but 75 Power against RHP gives him a bit of reverse-splits flavor. Garcia is also a Diamond fielder and has 73 Speed with 99 Stealing. I'm the worst base stealer in Diamond Dynasty, but that sounds good?
Spotlight SP Bailey Ober (Minnesota Twins) - #6 SP True Overall
Ober is the definition of a finesse pitcher. With a 4-Seamer topping out in the mid-90's and a slew of off-speed pitches, Ober relies on his elite Control to get batters out. His stock 91 H/9 is actually very good and he possesses 104 Clutch, meaning he has the attributes to shrink opposing PCI's with elite 101 BB/9 allowing him to hit spots with ease.
The problem with cards like this is often the lack of velocity. I've been touting the sharper break in off-speed pitches this year, so a card like this would be a joy to test drive online. For me, the off-speed pitches being so close together and lack of true speed differential makes this a challenge. Still, if you're shelling out the Stubs for a card like this - you might as well give it a whirl.
True Overall is a fan, pegging Spotlight Bailey Ober as the #6 SP in Diamond Dynasty currently.
Tip: Don't forget that each month will feature a Retro Lightning Collection. Carlos Santana cost around 600,000 Stubs at release as a 92 overall. The power level will only increase each month.
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.
