In MLB The Show 26 Diamond Dynasty, unlocking Albert Pujols is one of the most straightforward long-term goals for players building a competitive lineup. The game offers two clearly different versions of Pujols, and each one fits a different stage of progression—one for early-game access and one for endgame grinding.

Understanding both paths is important because they are tied to completely different systems: one is a simple starter reward, while the other requires full collection completion across the National League Live Series set.

81 OVR Gold All-Star Pujols (Starter Program Reward)

The fastest way to get Albert Pujols on your team is through the Starter Program. This version is designed for new players and acts as part of the game’s onboarding progression.

To unlock it:

First, go into Diamond Dynasty from the main menu and open the Programs section. From there, select the Starter Program. This mode is built around basic missions that introduce hitting, pitching, fielding, and general Diamond Dynasty mechanics.

As you complete these introductory tasks, you’ll naturally progress through simple stat missions and moments. Nothing in this path requires high-level gameplay or competitive performance.

Once finished, you are rewarded with the 81 OVR Gold All-Star Albert Pujols card. Alongside him, you also receive other early-core players like Félix Hernández and Troy Tulowitzki, giving you a usable foundation for your first squad.

This version of Pujols is not endgame powerful, but it is extremely useful for early grinding, Conquest maps, and offline missions.

99 OVR Red Diamond Signature Series Pujols (National League Collection)

The true endgame version of Albert Pujols is the 99 OVR Red Diamond Signature Series card. This is one of the strongest reward cards tied to collections and requires a major investment of stubs or time in the market.

To unlock it, you must complete the entire National League Live Series Collection.

The process works like this:

First, you need to collect Live Series cards for all 15 National League teams. These include players from every division: NL East, NL Central, and NL West. Each team has its own mini-collection, and you must complete all of them.

Next, you lock in the collected cards through the Collections menu. Once locked in, those cards become non-sellable, so players usually plan this carefully before committing expensive items.

Finally, after completing all 15 team collections, the game rewards you with the 99 OVR Red Diamond Albert Pujols. This version is a top-tier hitter and is designed for long-term Diamond Dynasty rosters.

How Players Earn Stubs for the Collection Grind

Because completing the National League Live Series set can cost millions of stubs, most players rely on efficient grinding and marketplace strategies instead of direct purchases.

One of the most consistent methods is Mini Seasons. Playing through Mini Seasons allows you to accumulate packs quickly, including standard packs and high-value “Ballin’ is a Habit” packs. These can be flipped on the marketplace for steady stub income over time.

Another popular method is the Show Shop equipment strategy. By heading into Road to the Show and opening the Show Shop, players can purchase Equipment Packs in bulk using stubs. Rare diamond-tier equipment pulls can be sold for a large profit, sometimes instantly funding a big portion of collection progress.

Diamond Quest is also a strong single-player option. It provides structured rewards through a board-style progression system, where completing hidden challenges and stadium games can lead to valuable packs and stubs. Players often focus on clearing optional tiles first to maximize reward efficiency before entering final match challenges.

Albert Pujols in Diamond Dynasty is designed as a dual-tier reward system. The 81 OVR version gives every player an immediate legend to build around early, while the 99 OVR Signature Series version represents a true long-term goal that reflects full mastery of the game’s economy and collection systems.

Whether you’re just starting out or grinding toward a full National League collection, Pujols remains one of the most impactful cards to aim for in MLB The Show 26 Diamond Dynasty.