The Andrew McCutchen Cornerstone Program is now live in MLB The Show 26, giving Diamond Dynasty players a free 99 OVR card without having to spend their MLB Stubs. Added on September 25, the program is built around several important moments from McCutchen's career and can be completed in a relatively short amount of time.
How to Unlock 99 OVR Andrew McCutchen
The main goal is simple: earn 50 program points to unlock the 99 OVR Cornerstone Series Andrew McCutchen.
The program contains:
• 5 Moments worth 6 points each
• 2 Missions
• 6 The Show Packs
• 500 Stubs
• 20,000 XP
• 99 OVR Andrew McCutchen
McCutchen is primarily a center fielder, but he can also play left field and right field. That makes him easier to fit into different Diamond Dynasty lineups, especially if you regularly rotate outfielders.
Complete the Five Moments First
The five Moments are the quickest way to make early progress. Each one is worth six points, giving you 30 points after completing all five.
The challenges cover notable parts of McCutchen's career, including:
• His four Silver Slugger Awards
• His 2013 NL MVP season
• His 2,000th career hit
• His 300-home-run milestone
• His role as a Pirates cornerstone
If your goal is simply to finish the program quickly, start here. You only need another 20 points after completing all five Moments.
Finish the Two Missions
Once the Moments are done, there are two Missions to complete.
Mission 1: Hit 3 Home Runs
Use any players you want. There is no need to build a special McCutchen lineup, so bring your strongest power hitters into the mode you are most comfortable playing.
Mission 2: Earn 1,781 Hitter PXP
This objective requires 1,781 Parallel XP with hitters. The number references McCutchen's hit total with the Pirates.
Both Missions can be completed in several Diamond Dynasty modes:
• Ranked
• Ranked Co-Op
• Battle Royale
• Events
• Weekend Classic
• Play vs. CPU
• Mini Seasons
• Conquest
• Diamond Quest
This flexibility is useful if you are trying to buy MLB Stubs for other roster upgrades while still working toward the free reward. You do not need to change your entire Diamond Dynasty routine just to finish these objectives.
Fastest Way to Finish the Program
For most players, the simplest route is to complete the five Moments first and then combine both Missions in games that provide plenty of opportunities to earn hitter PXP.
Recommended approach:
- Finish all five Moments for 30 points.
- Use power hitters to complete the three-home-run Mission.
- Play a PXP-friendly mode with several hitters in your lineup.
- Track your progress toward 1,781 Hitter PXP.
- Claim the 99 OVR McCutchen after reaching 50 points.
Play vs. CPU, Conquest, Mini Seasons, and Diamond Quest are convenient choices if you prefer playing offline. Online players can simply work toward the same objectives during Ranked, Events, or Weekend Classic games.
Is McCutchen Worth Adding?
The free 99 OVR card gives players another high-rated outfield option without requiring a market purchase. His center-field primary position and additional corner-outfield eligibility also make roster construction easier.
If your outfield already has several endgame-level cards, you may not need to change your starting lineup immediately. However, the program rewards are still useful because you can earn packs, XP, and Stubs while working toward McCutchen. Players checking cheap MLB Stubs should also remember that this program itself does not require paid currency.
Other Content to Play Alongside the Program
The McCutchen program arrived with several other Diamond Dynasty additions, including the 8th Inning XP Path, Weekend Classic 7, and September Spotlight Drop 3.
That makes it easy to combine your objectives instead of treating each program separately. For example, hitter PXP earned while completing McCutchen's Mission can also contribute to your broader Diamond Dynasty progression.
Overall, the Andrew McCutchen Cornerstone Program is a straightforward free-card grind. Finish the five Moments, knock out the two Missions, collect the intermediate rewards, and reach 50 points for the 99 OVR outfielder. If you are comparing new cards or looking at buy MLB Stubs, complete the free program first and see what McCutchen adds to your roster before spending additional resources.