The 9th Inning XP Path is live in MLB The Show 26, and the headline reward is a choice between two 99 OVR legends at 275,000 XP. The path has 35 reward steps, four offline-capable launch missions worth 24,500 XP combined, and three free 99 OVR player cards sitting at checkpoints before the final boss pack. Here is everything you need to know to plan your grind efficiently.
What are the 9th Inning XP Path bosses?
The boss pack sits at the very end of the path. Reach 275,000 XP and you earn the 9th Inning Boss Choice Pack, which contains two players. You pick one.
| Boss | Series | OVR | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ted Williams | Milestone | 99 | LF | Boston Red Sox |
| Chipper Jones | Signature | 99 | 3B | Atlanta Braves |
Ted Williams carries Contact L 125, Contact R 125, Power L 103, Power R 125, Vision 125, and Clutch 125. His fielding sits at 82 and speed at 67. Quirks include Dead Red, Breaking Ball Hitter, Bad Ball Hitter, Situational Hitter, Homebody, Rally Monkey, and Day Player. That is an elite hitting profile across the board.
Chipper Jones is a Signature Series 99 at third base for the Braves. His specific attribute breakdown is not confirmed in the current program data, but he is the alternative pick if your lineup needs a third baseman more than a left fielder.
The choice is simple in practice: identify which position is the bigger gap in your roster, then pick accordingly. Neither card is a wrong answer at 99 OVR.
What other 99 OVR cards are on the path?
Two more 99s drop before the boss pack, and they do not cost you your boss choice.
- Smokey Joe Williams (The Negro Leagues) unlocks at 47,500 XP
- Willie Wells (The Negro Leagues) unlocks at 160,000 XP
Both are free rewards tied to XP milestones. Reaching 47,500 XP is a relatively short grind, especially with launch missions active, so Smokey Joe Williams is realistically attainable within your first few sessions.
Full reward path breakdown
The path has 35 steps from 3,000 XP to 275,000 XP. Here are the key checkpoints worth targeting:
| XP Required | Reward |
|---|---|
| 3,000 | The Show Pack |
| 7,500 | Ballin' is a Habit Pack |
| 17,500 | 500 Stubs |
| 22,500 | Headliners Pack |
| 27,500 | 500 Stubs |
| 47,500 | 99 OVR Smokey Joe Williams |
| 52,500 | 750 Stubs |
| 62,500 | Deluxe Moonshot Pack |
| 77,500 | Headliners Pack |
| 92,500 | 750 Stubs |
| 107,500 | Headliners Pack 26 |
| 115,000 | 750 Stubs |
| 130,000 | Headliners Pack 27 |
| 150,000 | 1,000 Stubs |
| 160,000 | 99 OVR Willie Wells |
| 180,000 | 1,000 Stubs |
| 200,000 | Headliners Pack 28 |
| 220,000 | 1,500 Stubs |
| 230,000 | Live Series 88+ Pack |
| 260,000 | 2,000 Stubs |
| 275,000 | 9th Inning Boss Choice Pack |
Across all 35 steps, the path pays out 8,750 total Stubs, 11 The Show Packs, 5 Ballin' is a Habit Packs, 4 Headliners Packs (including variants 26, 27, and 28), 1 Deluxe Moonshot Pack, 1 Live Series 88+ Pack, and the final Boss Choice Pack.
How to earn XP fast: launch missions explained
The 1st Drop Missions section has four objectives available at launch. All four support offline modes including Play vs CPU, Mini Seasons, Conquest, and Diamond Quest, so you do not need to queue for online matches to complete them.
| Mission | XP Reward |
|---|---|
| Tally 15 hits (any difficulty) | 4,000 |
| Earn 500 Parallel XP with Cornerstone Series players | 5,500 |
| Tally 20 extra-base hits with 2026 Postseason Series players | 7,500 |
| Strike out 25 batters with The Show Classics Series pitchers | 7,500 |
| Total | 24,500 |
The 15-hit mission accepts any difficulty and any mode from the eligible list, making it the fastest of the four. The other three require specific card series in your lineup, so check your roster before starting.
- Cornerstone Series cards count toward the Parallel XP mission
- 2026 Postseason Series hitters count toward the extra-base-hit mission
- The Show Classics Series pitchers count toward the strikeout mission
Online modes (Ranked, Ranked Co-op, Battle Royale, Events, Weekend Classic) also count toward all four missions if you prefer them. The offline compatibility just means you have options.
A second batch of missions is scheduled to drop on October 30. The combined 24,500 XP from launch missions does not include gameplay XP earned during those games, so your actual total when the missions are complete will be higher.
What does the 8th Inning voucher add?
The Inning Boss Collection task gives you a 30,000 XP voucher for the 9th Inning path if you collect both 8th Inning bosses: Ken Griffey Jr. and Roy Campanella.
If you already own both cards, redeeming the voucher is straightforward and gives you a 30,000 XP head start. Combined with the four launch missions, that is 54,500 XP in listed bonuses before a single game is played.
If you do not own both bosses, compare their Community Market prices against the value of 30,000 XP before spending Stubs. Buying a card solely for the voucher is only worthwhile if the card also improves your lineup or contributes to another collection. The boss pack at 275,000 XP is reachable without it.
How to choose: Ted Williams vs. Chipper Jones
Both cards are 99 OVR, so the decision comes down to your lineup needs and playstyle.
Pick Ted Williams if:
- Your left field spot needs an upgrade
- You want the highest possible contact and vision stats in your lineup
- You lean on power hitters who can work counts and punish any pitch type
Pick Chipper Jones if:
- Third base is the weakest position on your team
- You want a switch-hitter or a player with a different attribute profile
- You have already covered left field through other program rewards
Neither choice locks you out of anything else on the path. Smokey Joe Williams and Willie Wells are separate rewards you keep regardless of which boss you select.
Tips for completing the path efficiently
- Build your lineup around the active missions before starting your session. Slot in Cornerstone, 2026 Postseason, and The Show Classics cards depending on which objectives you are targeting.
- Play modes that serve double duty. Conquest and Mini Seasons generate gameplay XP while also counting toward mission objectives. Check out the Mini Seasons guide for the fastest XP and reward methods in that mode.
- Do not ignore the Stubs checkpoints. The path pays out 8,750 Stubs total, which is a meaningful contribution to your Community Market budget. For more ways to build your Stubs reserve, the stubs farming guide covers flipping, Conquest grinding, and smart investment strategies.
- Check the second mission drop on October 30 before deciding how many games to play between now and then. More missions means more efficient XP, so timing your grind around that drop can save time.
- If you are new to Diamond Dynasty and unsure how the XP path fits into the broader mode structure, the Diamond Dynasty beginner's guide covers stub management, mode priorities, and roster building from scratch.
For the full picture on every program, card rating, and strategy available in MLB The Show 26, the MLB The Show 26 guides collection has you covered.
