Buzz Break: 2025 Donruss baseball cards (mega box)

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2025 Donruss baseball cards (mega)
First Buzz preview: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a couple other formats)

Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one as well as a gallery.

Packs per box: 6
Cards per pack: 20
Cards in this box: 120
Base set completion: 
75 of 200 (38 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards — Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., Jacob Wilson, Jack Leiter, Nolan Ryan, Greg Maddux, Willie Stargell, Ivan Rodriguez, David Ortiz, Chipper Jones, Craig Biggio, Pee Wee Reese, John Smoltz, Pedro Martinez, Edgar Martinez, Jim Hunter, Ozzie Smith, Sammy Sosa, Mike Mussina, Billy Martin

Rated Rookie/Rated Prospect cards (32) — Notables include Dylan Crews, Luisangel Acuña, Kumar Rocker, Colson Montgomery, Ethan Salas, Leo De Vries, Marcelo Mayer, Brady House ... see all in gallery. (Note: Technically, one could argue that all of these are Rookie Cards as they are numbered part of the base set and it's not solely a prospects/draft picks release.)

Insert cards: 43 (all in gallery below with some base)
Liberty parallel (12) – Charlie Condon, Brock Wilken, Ben Hess, Seaver King, Brody Brecht, Levi Sterling, Mike Piazza, Jim Thome, Tony Perez, Buster Posey, Michael Young, Brooks Lee
Red & Blue parallel (8) – Jesus Made, Cole Young, Michael Young, Buster Posey, Tony Perez, Jim Thome, Junior Caminero, Brooks Lee
Rockets parallel (2) – Christian Moore, David Ortiz
Carolina Blue Laser parallel (1) – Robin Ventura (/249)

Optic parallel (8) – Colson Montgomery, Aaron Judge, Greg Maddux, Bobby Miller, Bert Campaneris, Sammy Sosa, Billy Martin
Optic Holo parallel (2) – Arjun Nimmala, Junior Caminero
Optic Blue Velocity parallel (6) – Leo De Vries, Tommy Troy, Carson Benge, Willie Stargell, David Ortiz, Tim Hudson
Optic Circles parallel (3) – Owen Hall, Frank Thomas, Connor Norby
Cleary Rated Prospects (partial parallel) (1) – Cooper Pratt
Milestones (1) – Jack Morris

Autographs/Memorabilia: 2
Jersey Kings Blue Ice (1) – Kash Mayfield
Signature Series Red & Green Laser (1) – Francisco Vilorio (/99)

What's Buzz-worthy: This is an interesting mix with past, present and future MLB players all in here and on the same checklist. Technically, that would make a number of the Rated Prospects cards here Rookie Cards by definition as this clearly isn't a draft picks set and is still clearly from a major manufacturer -- the scope of the player lineup is the same as it would have been when Panini had MLBPA approval, just more active veterans back then. Fun debate for some who say they love to debate those things. (I've run out of time for more pondering of that today.) The pair of guaranteed hits here made this one of my better retail rips of the year, though, are there that many other retail boxes that even cough up two hits (autos or memorabilia) every time in 2025? That said, while I didn't land anything big there I'd still rather have them in there than not. This one is jam-packed with parallels -- probably too many -- but the mix of Optic and standard stock helped along with the colors and textures. The only things a bit lacking here were that lack of variety -- needs more inserts that aren't parallels -- and then some edge and corner issues that popped up here a little too often for my taste. It's not really rough on that front -- I have seen worse in recent years -- but still a little funky considering box prices these days. (I expect clean cards in the here and now.)  The past and present dynamic is, to me, a good one with fewer commons who aren't established stars, Hall of Famers or players with future potential. Many players here are Hall of Famers and the box bears that logo with some apparent licensing going on here on that front. (The commons of the future in this will be the rookies and prospects that don't pan out.) I liked this one a lot more than I thought I would ... there's a decent chance I might dabble here once again just for fun. Hobby boxes should also be considered if you like the looks of things. It's a heavy frame on the card design but not the heaviest in recent Donruss years -- and there are some other touches that add to the feel here.

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Product Grade: A- (good mix of players despite the licensing limitations)
Box Grade: A- (very heavy on parallels but guaranteed hits and a solid mix of past stars and prospects helps)
Fun Grade: B (would be an A-level box with a little more insert action and a smidge lighter on parallels)

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