For fans of power hitting, the Home Run Derby is always one of the most entertaining nights of the Major League Baseball season. In 2025, it delivered another unforgettable moment as Cal Raleigh, catcher for the Seattle Mariners and current MLB home run leader, slugged his way to victory. With Raleigh also making a strong case for American League MVP, it was only fitting that MLB The Show 25 released a special 99 OVR Home Run Derby Cal Raleigh card to commemorate his performance.

 

As with most elite Diamond Dynasty cards, acquiring Raleigh won't be easy. In fact, unless you're strategic with your MLB 25 Stubs, it could prove very expensive. Let's break down exactly how to get this card, the true cost, and whether the grind (and Stubs investment) is worth it.

 

How to Unlock the Home Run Derby Cal Raleigh Card

 

To add Cal Raleigh to your roster, you'll need to complete the 2025 Home Run Derby Collection. Unlike some event rewards that only require progress in a program, this collection is more demanding:

 

    Collect all seven 2025 Home Run Derby series cards.

    Only one of those cards can be earned for free, Brent Rooker, available by completing the Home Run Derby Program.

 

Unfortunately, the HRD Program doesn't feature quick-and-easy Moments, only Missions, which means you'll need to grind through gameplay tasks to earn Rooker. The other six cards will come from packs or the marketplace.

 

Packs, Vouchers, and RNG

 

The most frustrating part of this collection is the reliance on packs and prediction vouchers:

 

    Prediction Vouchers: If you correctly picked winners in the HRD prediction challenge, you might have received vouchers that can be exchanged for packs. Two winning vouchers equal at least one HRD pack. Three losing vouchers also equal one pack.

 

    HRD Program Pack: Completing stages of the Home Run Derby Program earns you an additional pack.

 

    Marketplace Purchases: For most players, the bulk of the cards will need to be purchased directly with Stubs.

 

This means if you didn't hit big with vouchers or pack luck, the entire burden falls on your MLB The Show 25 Stubs balance.

 

The Real Cost in MLB 25 Stubs

 

As of now, finishing the collection requires roughly 235,000 to 250,000 Stubs, assuming you buy at the lower end of sell orders. Popular cards may rise above that price, pushing costs even higher.

 

Here's the breakdown:

 

    Cheaper HRD Cards: Around 20,000–30,000 Stubs each.

    Rare HRD Round Cards (Buxton, Cruz, Caminero): Often over 60,000 Stubs.

    Full Set: Around a quarter-million Stubs total.

 

That's a steep investment for any player, especially if you didn't pull rare cards from your packs. Managing your MLB 25 Stubs efficiently, whether through flipping cards on the marketplace, grinding programs for free rewards, or buying packs strategically, becomes essential if you want Raleigh without draining your entire Stub balance.

 

Is Cal Raleigh Worth the Price

 

So, is the 99 OVR Cal Raleigh card really worth sacrificing 250,000 Stubs? The answer depends largely on your lineup and your pack pulls.

 

Why he's worth it:

 

    Elite power hitter with Home Run Derby–level stats.

    Switch-hitter, making him matchup-proof.

    Plays at catcher, one of the most valuable positions in Diamond Dynasty.

 

Simply put, Raleigh is a game-changer. Few catchers in the game combine his bat, positional flexibility, and rarity. For players who lack a top-tier catcher, he's arguably the best option currently available.

 

Why you might wait:

 

    If you already own a premium catcher, like the 2025 All-Star Will Smith, Raleigh may feel more like a luxury than a necessity.

 

    Prices are inflated immediately after the Home Run Derby event. Cards typically drop in cost after a few weeks as more packs circulate and demand cools.

 

If you have at least three HRD packs and pull one rare round card (Buxton, Oneil Cruz, or Junior Caminero), completing the rest of the collection is more manageable. But if you struck out on vouchers and rare pulls, you may want to hold your Stubs for now.

 

Tips to Afford Cal Raleigh Without Going Broke

 

    Grind the HRD Program Fully: Even if Missions take longer, finishing them ensures you get Brent Rooker and an additional HRD pack.

 

    Flip Cards on the Marketplace: Buying low and selling high is one of the best ways to grow your MLB The Show 25 Stubs stack without spending real money.

 

    Play Other Programs for Free Packs: Team Affinity and Conquest often hand out free packs, which can give you Stub value or even another HRD card.

 

    Wait for the Market to Cool: Unless you're desperate to add Raleigh now, consider waiting a week or two until card prices stabilize.

 

Final Thoughts

 

The Home Run Derby Cal Raleigh card in MLB The Show 25 is a true prize, a 99 OVR switch-hitting catcher who can anchor any Diamond Dynasty lineup. But the path to obtaining him isn't cheap. With the collection requiring all seven 2025 HRD cards and an estimated cost of 235,000–250,000 MLB 25 Stubs, most players will need to either get lucky with packs or invest heavily in the marketplace.

 

For those without an elite catcher, Raleigh is absolutely worth the grind and the Stubs. His power bat and switch-hitting ability make him one of the most dangerous hitters in the game. But for players already stacked at catcher, patience may be the smarter move, prices will fall, and your MLB The Show 25 Stubs can be stretched further.

 

Either way, Raleigh's card is a celebration of one of the season's most exciting moments and a reminder of why the Home Run Derby remains must-watch baseball.