John Donaldson was a legendary pitcher and outfielder from the Negro Leagues, whose dominance and versatility made him a pioneer of the game. His inclusion in MLB The Show is part of MLB 25 Stubs the ongoing initiative to honor Negro Leagues history, spearheaded by the game's Storylines mode.

In MLB The Show 25, Donaldson boasts a 90 Overall card featuring five nasty pitches: a fastball, sinker, forkball, slurve, and slider. Even though this version is a downgrade from last year's elite card, it still gives you a powerful lefty capable of dismantling top-tier hitters.

And let's be honest, when your opponent sees John Donaldson on the mound, they know it's going to be a long nine innings.

To unlock Donaldson, you'll need to complete a collection that includes 20 out of 24 Negro Leagues cards. This collection spans several different modes and events, and while it's all achievable through gameplay, using MLB The Show 25 Stubs can significantly shorten the grind, especially when hunting down the harder-to-get cards.

Step 1: Complete Negro Leagues Storylines

Your first stop should be the Negro Leagues Storylines mode on the main menu. There are seven episodes, and completing each one rewards you with a unique Negro Leagues player. If you complete the storylines for James "Cool Papa" Bell, Bullet Rogan, and Norman "Turkey" Stearnes, you'll unlock an eighth bonus card to add to your collection.

While some of the storylines can be a little time-consuming, they're worth the effort, not just for the cards, but also for the immersive history they bring to the game.

Step 2: Jackie Robinson Day Showdown

Inside Diamond Dynasty, you'll find the Jackie Robinson Day Showdown event. While it's not required for unlocking Donaldson, it's a fast and efficient way to earn more cards for the collection. Each time you complete the showdown, you'll earn a Negro Leagues Choice Pack, giving you access to some valuable players you might be missing.

Step 3: Jackie Robinson Day Program

This special program grants five Negro Leagues cards, including an 89 Overall Jackie Robinson. These cards count toward your 20-card collection goal. If you're aiming to do everything through gameplay without dipping into your MLB 25 Stubs, this program is essential.

Step 4: Collection Bonuses and Multiplayer Program

Once you've collected 13 Negro Leagues cards, you'll receive Larry Doby as a bonus card to help push you closer to 20.

Don't forget about the Multiplayer Program, which rewards you with Martin Dihigo, another must-have for MLB The Show 25 Stubs the Donaldson collection.