MLB The Show 25: Ranked 3 Multiplayer Program Drop 1 Breakdown

Drop 1 of Multiplayer Program 3 arrives with early-game bullpen firepower, a bat-heavy Standout legend, and more Rewind packs to help complete the big collections.

Let's dive in.

All-Star CP Josh Hader (Milwaukee Brewers) - #6 CP True Overall

This All-Star Series Hader may lack the infamous Outlier 2-Seamer, but don’t sleep on him. His Slider (90 Break) is filthy, and the Circle Change adds much-needed variety. With 102 H/9, 112 K/9, and 110 Clutch, he excels in the attributes that matter most to relievers. The Control and BB/9 will be lacking, but he's a hard-throwing reliever with a nasty Slider. It comes with the territory.

Hader also features an elite delivery that tunnels pitches well. He’s easy to use and should immediately bolster bullpens for players struggling with late-game arms. Don't be surprised if you're facing this Hader for months to come.

Hader is earned at 10 stars in the Multiplayer program, making him an incredibly easy addition to your squad.

Standout 1B Rafael Palmeiro (Texas Rangers) - #9 1B True Overall

This Standout Series Palmeiro is… ironic. Despite being labeled a "Standout," he’s best suited as a thematic or depth option. His bat rakes vs righties, and his Gold-glove badge at 1B is appreciated, but this is a crowded position. With plenty of power-hitting behemoths at 1B and DH, Palmeiro doesn't really move the needle much.

Not that he needs to. He's a weak 91 overall card, but for us to truly have amazing cards we love - there has to be cards like this as well. Palmeiro technically debuts as a top-10 1B according to True Overall, but there's so many better options that I'd be surprised to run into him online.

Earn Standout Rafael Palmeiro at 50 stars in the Multiplayer Program.

Rewind & Reward Ladder

• 90 Stars: World Series Rewind Pack – Choose from any of the four previous WS rewards. This will help many work towards the big collections.
• 100 Stars: A third player card yet to be revealed.
• 120 Stars: Flawless Rewind Choice Pack – A very valuable Rewind pack for those that don't play Battle Royale.
• 130 Stars: Final Earnable Card – Currently unrevealed, but likely to be impactful based on previous programs.

First Drop Missions (Complete in any Multiplayer Mode)

• 25 Strikeouts – 5 Stars
• 1000 PXP with Right-Handed Batters – 5 Stars
• 1000 PXP with Left-Handed Batters – 5 Stars
• 1000 PXP with Switch Hitters – 5 Stars
• 500 PXP with Josh Hader (Program OR Moonshot version) – 5 Stars
• Score 50 Runs – 10 Stars
• Hit 20 Home Runs – 15 Stars
• 500 PXP with Palmeiro – 5 Stars

Total: 55 Stars – Easily enough to secure both Hader and Palmeiro while stacking XP and packs. This is a great drop for players grinding Ranked or Events, especially with the 5/16 Moonshot event on the horizon.

You'll also earn up to 35k XP for completing all of these initial missions, on top of earning Hader and Palmeiro.

Closing Thoughts

This drop feels like a good time to check ourselves as a community. Palmeiro being the second earnable card in the program has drawn attention to the relative "mehness" that the card design elicits.

It's true that this card isn't elite, but do we need it to be? Power creep is back but that doesn't mean that every single card released is going to be tangibly better than any previous card. It just means the overall power level increases slowly over the course of the year.

When you're grinding the game relentlessly every day, unlocking or buying every card in sight, a card like Standout Palmeiro won't impress you in the slightest. Even for those of us always playing catch up, Palmeiro isn't that exciting.

But if we're going to shoot down every single card released for not being an Ubermensch, then there's probably a collective recalibration needed.