In a sizable update today for Diamond Dynasty, we got a new collection reward with Finest Andrew McCutchen. Much like George Brett, this card has seemingly lived up to the hype on the ratings front. We also got a new Headliners pack, a new choice pack, and a roster update that includes fielding changes. Let’s get to it.
Finest Andrew McCutchen Collection Reward
Before getting to the requirements, let’s say that it seems like it will be worth the wait even if you can’t get the card right away. Outside of having just an average steal rating, this card is a 99 overall with a bullet. There are plenty of outfielders out there, but not many can match up to Cutch. On top of that, he’s got a sweet swing, and he’s a right-handed hitter, which is a bit more meta than left-handed hitters this year. I really don’t have much to say because what’s there to complain about with the card?
I guess the complaint would be the potential cost. You’ll need 18 vouchers from the 19 available collections. I will not be doing the math this time around. Instead, I’ll leave that up to ShowZone, and they won’t steer you wrong on the ballpark figure.
In short, today is a good day to be a Pirates fan.
July 29 Roster Update
I would suspect folks will call this roster update an “L” because of the hype behind it with the defensive changes and all that. I think people probably expected more seismic changes, but it’s overall a relatively low-drama update. Aaron Judge got bumped back to a 94 and is tied with Ohtani for the top-rated player in the game, and no one new joined or left the 90+ club.
New Diamonds
- Alejandro Kirk
- Julio Rodriguez
Tool Box Choice Pack
As usual, there are odds for the “top” round, and then the consolation round if you miss out. In the top part of the pack we have:
- Future Stars Diego Cartaya
- Future Stars Daniel Espino
- Future Stars Noelvi Marte
The joke about the pitcher being a five-tool player aside, we’ve also seen Noelvi Marte plenty of times at this point. None of the three immediately call out to me here, so I don’t have much of an opinion as of yet.
There are plenty of familiar names in the base round as well, but I do think Elly De La Cruz will be a favorite among the group. He’s a versatile shortstop who switch hits and has plenty of speed and pop. He’s sort of like a Ketel Marte player, so it’s just a question of how the swing feels in the box. Bradley, Jung, and Thomas we have seen in other forms, and then Veen looks like a solid outfielder and pinch runner if need be.
Signature Series Minnie Minoso Program
Getting a “free” Signature Series is a nice get even before getting to the player. With Signature Series Minnie Minoso, the card doesn’t look otherworldly or anything, but he’s going to be a tough out and can fake it at 3B in a pinch. He does not have his normal top-end speed, but I feel like this Minoso card has more power than usual to at least make up for it. All in all, it’s just nice getting a Signature Series card.
Rewards
- 10 points – Ballin’ Is A Habit pack
- 20 points – 1,000 stubs, Universal profile icon
- 30 points – 500 stubs, diamond bat skin
- 35 points – Headliners Set 30 pack
- 40 points – 500 stubs, Chicago White Sox road 1967 uniform
- 45 points – The Show pack (x10)
- 50 points – 1,000 stubs, Signature Series Minnie Minoso
Moments
Each moment is worth 4 points
- Minoso Mashes His First Homer
- Difficulty: Veteran
- Tally 4 total bases
- Minnie Makes The All-Star Team
- Difficulty: Veteran
- Tally 1 XBH
- The Cuban Comet Hits It To The Moon
- Difficulty: Rookie
- Hit 1 home run
- Minnie Speeds Around The Bases
- Difficulty: Rookie
- Tally 3 total bases
- Minoso’s Thinking Extra
- Difficulty: Veteran
- Tally 2 hits
- Tally 1 XBH
- That’ll Look Nice On The Mantle
- Difficulty: Veteran
- Tally 1 XBH
- Minnie Leads The Way
- Difficulty: Veteran
- Tally 2 hits
- Minoso Hangs Up The Cleats
- Difficulty: Veteran
- Tally 1 hit
Missions
- 500 PxP with White Sox – 2 points
- 1,500 PxP with White Sox – 4 points
- 2,500 PxP with White Sox – 6 points
- 40 hits with White Sox – 3 points
- 20 XBH with White Sox – 3 points
Exchanges
- Exchange White Sox – 2 points
- Exchange AL Central players – 4 points
Headliners Set 34 Finest Huston Street
I have trouble remembering a time when a Huston Street card was a fan favorite, so it’s almost not worth analyzing the card. The 125 H/9 is great, and he has a sinker, but Street just struggles to fool players with mediocre velocity. I’m always willing to give relievers a second chance, but the biggest perk is probably just that it’s a Finest card to snag for the McCutchen collection.
The odds on Headliners packs to pull a diamond are 1:10 (as always), albeit that diamond might not be Finest Huston Street. In addition, this year you can buy one pack of the Headliners choice pack, which gives you 1:3 odds of pulling a 90+ overall diamond (and of course costs more stubs).
