MMOEXP-Complete the Conquest map early to gain momentum and farm packs/stubs

MLB The Show 25 continues its streak of innovative player programs with the highly anticipated Paul Skenes Takeover Program, celebrating one of baseball’s most exciting young pitchers. As a generational talent with a blazing fastball and MLB The Show 25 Stubs a dominant mound presence, Skenes has quickly become a fan favorite — and now, players get to take control of his journey in Diamond Dynasty. This special program offers a robust combination of missions, moments, and exclusive rewards centered around the Pittsburgh Pirates’ phenom. Here’s a complete breakdown of what you can expect from the Paul Skenes Takeover Program and how to make the most of it.



Who is Paul Skenes?

Before diving into the program details, it’s important to understand why Paul Skenes deserves his own spotlight. Drafted first overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2023, Skenes quickly rose through the ranks thanks to his 100+ mph fastball, pinpoint control, and competitive edge. The former LSU standout made waves during his college career and became even more dominant in the minors. In 2025, he's solidified himself as a future ace with a mix of overpowering velocity and sharp secondary pitches. MLB The Show 25 honors his breakout impact with a takeover that lets players relive his rise and dominate with his custom card series.



Program Structure and Progression

The Paul Skenes Takeover Program is structured similarly to other Takeover Programs in MLB The Show 25, using a point-based progression system. Players accumulate points through various gameplay challenges that reflect Skenes’ real-life pitching dominance. The goal is to unlock milestone rewards at each tier, culminating in a 99 OVR Paul Skenes Boss Card — one of the best pitchers currently available in the game.



Progress can be made through:



Moments: These are short challenges that replicate key performances from Skenes’ college and early MLB career, such as striking out double-digit batters or pitching six shutout innings.



Missions: These focus on completing objectives with pitchers in Diamond Dynasty, such as getting strikeouts with right-handers, tallying innings pitched, or using Pirates-themed rosters.



PXP (Player XP) Missions: Players earn progress by using any Paul Skenes card across game modes like Ranked, Events, and Conquest.



Online Stat Missions: Additional progress is available by playing online and recording outs and strikeouts with Paul Skenes cards.



These layered tasks allow flexibility — whether you prefer playing offline or grinding through competitive online matchups, you can work toward completing the takeover at your pace.



Signature Rewards and Card Breakdown

The centerpiece of the program is the 99 OVR Signature Series Paul Skenes card, modeled after his rookie dominance. This card boasts elite attributes, including:



Velocity: 102 mph four-seam fastball with elite outlier effects.



Pitch Mix: Four-seam, slider, sinker, changeup, and curveball — giving players a deep arsenal to attack hitters.



Control: High 90s control rating across the board makes dotting corners a breeze.



Per 9s: 125 K/9 and 110 H/9 make him incredibly tough to square up.



The card is also equipped with meta-defining quirks such as Outlier I, K Artist, Workhorse, and Control Artist. This makes him a viable SP1 (Starting Pitcher 1) on any God Squad.



Additional rewards include:



Diamond Dynamic Paul Skenes (91 OVR) – unlockable early on and required for PXP missions.



Exclusive Equipment Items – includes LSU-themed cleats, Pirates arm sleeves, and a golden glove item for extra style.



Packs & Stubs – Players will earn The Show packs, Ballin’ Is A Habit packs, and 10,000+ stubs through program milestones.



Bat Skin & Icon – Custom Paul Skenes LSU-themed bat skin and animated player icon for your profile.



Special Conquest Map: “Skenes' Strike Zone”

The program includes a custom conquest map titled “Skenes' Strike Zone,” shaped like a strike zone complete with three strongholds that reference Skenes’ journey:



LSU Tigers (College Legend)



Pirates (Pro Debut)



MLB Rising Stars (Future of the League)



Completing the map not only provides Takeover Program points but also yields hidden rewards like packs, XP boosts, and themed gear. Players can use this map to efficiently rack up innings with Skenes cards or other Pirates pitchers.



Takeover Moments: Key Highlights

The program includes several Moments that spotlight Skenes’ unique milestones:



College No-Hitter Moment: Strike out 9 batters and allow no runs in 6 innings at LSU.



MLB Debut Simulation: Pitch 5 innings with no earned runs in his Pirates debut.



Rookie Dominance: Strike out 10 MLB hitters in one game with only fastballs and sliders.



Clutch Comeback: A high-pressure challenge where you must hold a 1-run lead with Skenes on the mound against a stacked lineup.



Completing these moments grants 3-5 points each and gives insight into Skenes’ path from elite college arm to MLB sensation.



Strategy Tips to Finish the Program Fast

To efficiently complete the Paul Skenes Takeover:



Stack your rotation with Pirates pitchers for multi-mission synergy.



Grind conquest or mini-seasons to rack up PXP while earning parallel XP.



Use the 91 OVR Skenes card as soon as you unlock him and focus on his specific missions.



Track progress in the Program tab often to double up on goals (e.g., PXP, innings, strikeouts).



Complete the Conquest map early to gain momentum and farm packs/stubs.



Final Thoughts

The Paul Skenes Takeover Program in MLB The Show is a top-tier addition that highlights one of baseball’s brightest new stars. It’s not just a showcase of raw talent — it’s a thoughtfully designed celebration of pitching excellence. From LSU legend to Pittsburgh ace, this program lets players take that journey themselves, culminating in one of the best right-handed starters in Diamond Dynasty. Whether you're a fan of dominant pitching, a Pirates supporter, or simply love grinding programs, this Takeover delivers everything you need — power, polish, and prestige.



With future Takeover Programs likely focusing on more legends and rookies, Skenes sets a high bar — both in-game and on the mound.