On Friday, MLB The Show 25 will release its latest roster update. This is important due to Live Series investments, which seem to be the only way to complete the Live Series Collection this year. For weeks, MLB The Show players have been predicting which real-life MLB stars will be getting a Diamond-rated Live Series card in order to flip them for profit. And right now, we have a good grasp on which players may be getting said upgrade from a Gold to a Diamond.
Unfortunately, the list is short right now, at least from looking at the current market. And if you were looking to make money on these investments, it’s likely too late, as they are already being sold for prices akin to what they may be should they get the upgrade. Still, if you have dupes of these cards in your inventory or have been holding onto a few cards since the last roster update, which players can you expect to go Diamond on Friday?
Which Players Are Getting A Diamond Card In MLB The Show 25 On Friday?
Max Fried
Some may argue that Max Fried’s Live Series card still being Gold-rated at this point is a travesty. But with the third roster update approaching, there’s no possible way he’s snubbed a third time, right?
In his first season with the New York Yankees, Fried has become a bona fide ace, something the Yanks desperately needed after Gerrit Cole announced during Spring Training that he’d be out for the year following Tommy John surgery.
In 14 starts, Fried has won 9 games, registering an impressive 1.84 ERA (5th best in MLB) and 3.0 WAR (tied for 11th in MLB). The former Atlanta Braves starter has also amassed an ERA+ of 218 and a WHIP of 0.932. Thus far, it’s been a career year for Fried, even when compared to his excellent past few seasons with the Braves. And he is deserving of that Diamond rating.
Manny Machado
Manny Machado has always been an excellent player. But even by his already-high standard, his numbers have been ridiculous this season. Through 66 games and 277 plate appearances in 2025, the San Diego Padres’ third baseman has slashed .325/.386/.518 with an OPS of .904. He’s also accrued a WAR of 2.8, not far off Fried’s 3.0.
If there’s one stat that can keep him from the Diamond rating in MLB The Show 25, it’s his defense. Though traditionally known as a solid and reliable presence at the hot corner, Machado currently has a fielding percentage of .938 in 2025. If the season ended today, it’d be his career-worst stat in that category. But he’s having a career year at the plate, and the Padres are competitive. So hopefully, that will be enough to get him that 85.
