When San Diego Studios dropped the Pipeline Past program in MLB The Show 25, the initial reaction from the community was mixed. On the surface, these cards seemed more like a nostalgic nod to prospects than serious contenders for competitive rosters. However, after some time in the wild, a Buy mlb 25 stubshandful of these cards have turned heads — not just for their novelty, but for their actual in-game effectiveness.

Let’s begin with Walker Jenkins. For a lot of players, he’s flown under the radar, but those who’ve used him consistently report that he’s far more than just filler. His left-handed swing is smooth, he has enough power to put the ball over the fence, and his decent speed makes him dangerous on the basepaths. What really elevates Jenkins is his glove. In a game where outfield defense often makes the difference in tight matchups, Jenkins gets good jumps and holds down center field better than some cards rated well above him.

Next, we need to talk about Nick Kurtz. In a year where first basemen are often dominated by true sluggers or heavy-tier legends, Kurtz is making his mark with one of the cleanest swings in the program. He demolishes right-handed pitching, has strong opposite-field power, and makes surprisingly athletic plays at first. While his defensive ratings might not be elite, his animations are fast, and he rarely botches routine plays. For budget teams or no-money-spent (NMS) players, he’s become a mainstay.

A less talked-about but genuinely useful card is Brayden Taylor. Third base has always been one of the more competitive infield spots in Diamond Dynasty, and Taylor enters the fray as a dependable, clutch hitter with good bat-to-ball skills. He doesn’t have overwhelming power, but what he does offer is reliability. For players grinding events or competing in Mini Seasons, Taylor can plug into lineups without disrupting your chemistry or costing you wins.

Kumar Rocker, of course, remains the most high-profile name in the drop. Expectations were high, and he’s mostly delivered. His fastball-slider combo keeps hitters guessing, and his stamina allows him to go deep into games — a trait that's especially useful in limited-rotation formats. The only caveat is that his margin for error is small. Against top players, if you miss your location even slightly, he’ll get punished. But in most matchups, especially against lower-tier opponents, he dominates.

Finally, Dalton Rushing might be the most practical choice for catchers outside of the premium packs. Catcher has long been a position where defense is often overlooked in favor of hitting, but Rushing brings a bit of both. His bat, particularly against right-handed pitching, is lethal in clutch situations. Defensively, he’s solid, with enough arm strength to discourage runners and strong framing animations that help borderline pitches go your way.

In the end, while not every Pipeline Past card is a home run, several are well worth the effort. These aren’t just flashback novelty items for prospect fans. For many players, they’ve become legitimate contributors across Diamond Dynasty. Whether you're grinding solo content, playing competitive Ranked, or simply looking for plug-and-play value, the best of the Pipeline Past cards offer tangible upside. They’re especially valuable for anyone trying to stay competitive without dropping stubs on the marketplace.

In a game defined by performance over ratings, sometimes it's these mid-tier cards — not the 99 overalls — that define your season. The Pipeline Past program may not have produced the most glamorous cards, but it certainly gave players options that are paying off where it counts: on the field.