Featured programs in MLB The Show 22 are timed content paths similar to the battle pass model in Call of Duty: Vanguard, rewarding players for simply playing the game and taking part in different modes. As players earn XP by playing literally any mode in the game, they progress through the program while earning rewards at each level, including card packs, cosmetic items, and stubs. The Legends of the Franchise program will run for three weeks and have 93 levels to reach, totaling 1,000,000 XP and 18 boss player items earned in choice parks at different intervals starting at 100,000 XP.
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Jorge Posada, New York Yankees, 99 Overall
Jorge Posada has long been a favorite of Diamond Dynasty players in MLB the Show, as the switch hitting catcher combines high contact ratings with power that has always been acceptable at the position. His Legends of the Franchise card, however, is the best Posada card MLB The Show has ever released, with power attributes of 112 and 116 versusright and left to go along with his trademark high contact ratings. Aside from that, this version of Posada sports diamond level defense which is a big upgrade from other Posada cards, and a high-end vision rating of 92, making this card as flexible as the most versatile operators in Rainbow Six: Siege.
The thing that really puts the Legends of the Franchise Posada card over the top, however, is the fact that he has a secondary position at second base for the first time ever. San Diego Studio has ramped up the leniency on secondary positions in this program, and since Posada played second for one inning in his career - a game in Oakland where he even recorded the final out in the game - he gets a secondary at second base on this card. That makes him potentially one of the best second basemen in the game despite his below average speed, and Yankees fans will definitely want this card in their top Diamond Dynasty lineups.
Hank Aaron, Atlanta Braves, 99 Overall
Available in the National League East choice pack players can first earn at 280,000 XP, the Legends of the Franchise Hank Aaron card highlights everything that made Aaron one of the greatest sluggers in the history of baseball. Scoring a 94.40 Meta Overall rating on Showzone, Aaron is the second-best card in the Legends of the Franchise program and the fifth-best card in Diamond Dynasty, largely due to his huge power, defensive, and speed attributes.
Based on his age 29 season when the Braves were still in Milwaukee, this card reflects Hank Aaron in his prime with power ratings of 125 versus right-handers and 116 versus left-handed pitchers, on top of diamond defensive attributes and a more than adequate 80 speed rating. Players with Hank Aaron in their lineup will essentially have the equivalent of a Call of Duty: Warzone player having an unfair power-up ability against their opponents.
Ozzie Smith, St. Louis Cardinals, 99 Overall
Probably the most well-known player in recent Cardinals history, Ozzie Smith has given MLB The Show fans some frustration because his Diamond Dynasty cards never made him a viable option in most competitive lineups. That is no longer true, as the best and strongest Ozzie Smith card ever released in Diamond Dynasty is here, with power ratings that finally make baseball’s own Wizard of Oz a welcome addition to lineups in competitive online play.
A power rating of 72 vs right-handed pitching might not look like much, but a rating of 99 vs left-handers is much better, and when combined with Smith’s speed, contact, and defensive ratings this card is easily a great option for any Diamond Dynasty player looking for a starting shortstop. Smith has essentially 99 speed and a 125 vision rating meaning he will see pitches better than almost any other player in the game.
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Ivan Rodriguez, Texas Rangers, 99 Overall
Similar to Posada, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez is a primarily a catcher who has a secondary position at second base for the first time ever in Legends of the Franchise as he once played two innings at second base in his career, double that of Posada. Known as a great hitting catcher with dominant defensive skills and an arm that’s basically a Metroid cannon that shoots baseballs, Pudge Rodriguez will be a great addition to almost any Diamond Dynasty lineup.
Available in the American League West program at 140,000 XP, Rodriguez will be a potential addition after many players have already added Jorge Posada out of the American League East pack. If players want to play both of them, they should take the speed ratings into account, as Rodriguez’s 70 speed rating is significantly better than Posada’s 35 rating, making Pudge a much better option at second base in Diamond Dynasty who will cover more ground. One can play catcher and the other can play second in a player’s lineup, but gamers will have to decide if they value Rodriguez’s cannon arm behind the plate or better range at second base more.
Andre Dawson, Washington Nationals, 99 Overall
When the Legends of the Franchise version of Andre “The Hawk” Dawson steps into the batters box, he starts obliterating baseballs with hitting attributes all over 100 and a vision rating of 102 to make sure players can easily recognize what they’re about to crush. Dawson brings diamond-level defense to lineups with this card, as well as a great speed rating of 88 and stealing and aggressiveness ratings over 90, making him dominant in the field and on the bases as well for any MLB The Show 22 lineup he’s a part of.
Unlike some other elite cards in this program, Dawson’s Legends of the Franchise card isn’t full of creative secondary positions, as he can just play the three outfield positions. Still, Dawson is the eighth-highest rated Diamond Dynasty player, and the fourth-best option when it comes to outfielders, so he will slot in nicely to many MLB The Show 22 lineups, giving players a threat against both right and left-handed pitchers with incredible speed on the bases once he’s on base.
MLB The Show 22 is available now for PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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