MLB The Show 26 Vintage Program Gameplay and Rewards: How to unlock the ultimate Vintage Ketel Marte?

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• MLB The Show 26 Best Players by Position - Top Cards Ranked

  As MLB The Show 26 Diamond Dynasty progresses, more and more players are discussing the current meta lineups. From Live Series overpowered players to top-tier Collection Reward and Chase Pack cards, the meta answers for each position are gradually emerging.

  Whether you're building a ranked lineup or looking for the core players best suited to your playstyle, the top choices for each position will directly affect your in-game experience. This time, we'll list the strongest, most consistent, and most dominant players in MLB The Show 26, categorized by position.

  Some players are universally recognized as the answer because of their overpowered attributes, while others stand out thanks to their unique swings, animations, and in-game feel. Let's take a look at the top players worth using in each position right now.

  • First Base: Albert Pujols, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Carlos Santana
  • Second Base: Ketel Marte, Jackie Robinson, Travis Bazzana
  • Shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki, Francisco Lindor, Elly De La Cruz
  • Third Base: Miguel Cabrera, José Ramírez, Maikel Garcia
  • Left Field: Babe Ruth, Manny Ramirez, Ian Happ
  • Center Field: Ken Griffey Jr., Mickey Mantle, Carlos Beltrán
  • Right Field: Juan Soto, Anthony Santander, Vladimir Guerrero
  • Catcher: Ted Simmons, Jorge Posada
  • Pitcher: Felix Hernandez, Michael King, Schultz

  First Base

  The first base pick shouldn't be surprising. It's Albert Pujols from 99 Overall Live Series, with almost no controversy. Whether it's hitting, power, quirk, or overall build, this card is a top-tier choice in the current MLB 26 lineup.

  Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is also a good option, definitely a top-five right-handed hitter in MLB 26, especially in the ancient game; you rarely see a player with such immense power.

  Carlos Santana is an upgraded version of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. This card has almost no glaring weaknesses: Switch Hitter, excellent Contact, consistent Power, plus decent defense, making him a fully upgraded Vlad.

  Second Base

  The number one Second Base player will definitely surprise you; it's still Live Series Ketel Marte. Even mid-season, he still possesses top-tier swing and consistent output. Especially when he's on the plate, his batting average against right-handed pitchers is almost 100%.

  While Ketel Marte's stats or attributes are slightly weaker, he boasts a top-five swing in MLB The Show 26, and I can't think of a better card for this position.

  I think Jackie Robinson is second. This card is essentially an upgraded version of Dustin Pedroia. I feel this card is severely underrated; he has seven quirks, encompassing all MLB The Show 26 skills you could want. I love playing him, and he absolutely deserves a second place in second base.

  Travis Bazzana is ambidextrous, with 80 power in both and high speed. Such an MLB 26 player would be fantastic at second base. I think he definitely deserves a spot.

  Shortstop

  First place belongs to Troy Tulowitzki. MLB The Show 26 recently fixed his swing, and his handling of inside balls is now significantly improved. He possesses top-tier swing, strong defensive capabilities, all-around hitting ability, and excellent animations, with virtually no glaring weaknesses.

  Francisco Lindor is also outstanding; his one-handed swing is incredibly fast, making it difficult to predict pitch on Legendary difficulty. Elly De La Cruz is one of the most popular free shortstops in MLB 26. Although many players criticize his speed ​​of only 78, he boasts excellent power and power hitting ability, covering a wide range of situations, making him a very well-rounded shortstop card.

  Third Base

  The first place undoubtedly belongs to Miguel Cabrera with 99 OVR. His overall hitting ability is excellent, possessing powerful hitting ability, a vision rating of 83, and a discipline rating of 77. When there are runners on base, Miguel Cabrera's impressive clutch performance rating of 111 often proves effective.

  He is a very exaggerated putting-type hitter, so he can basically only hit outside pitches. If he could hit inside pitches, he would be the strongest card in MLB The Show 26. José Ramírez has excellent stats, but his real problem is that players with dreadlock models on Xbox cause a drop in MLB 26 frame rate. This directly affects the gameplay experience for many players. Otherwise, this card should be even stronger.

  Maikel Garcia is a very easily overlooked Collection Reward. If upgraded to Parallel 5 and equipped with a Power Mod, he can have 80+ Power on both sides simultaneously. His overall performance is stronger than many players expected.

  Left Field

  I believe there are three Left Field cards that are significantly better than other MLB 26 Left Field cards, while the stats of the other cards are relatively similar. Babe Ruth, while having average defense, is still an extremely formidable hitter with an amazing 110 batting average and 100 clinch rate. I recommend equipping him with a field speed mod.

  Manny Ramirez possesses top-tier hitting ability, but he is also affected by Dread Lag issue. Many players have a poor experience using him on Xbox. I think Ian Happ is almost on a par with Mickey Mantle (93 Overall), and even stronger in some aspects. As a free card in MLB 26, his value is incredibly high.

  Center Field

  I believe the strongest MLB The Show 26 center fielder currently is Ken Griffey Jr. from Chase Pack. Although extremely expensive, he boasts 100 Power, 80 Fielding, 80 Speed, and 90+ Contact, making him a truly all-around outfielder.

  Mickey Mantle's stats are also good, but his problem is that as a high-difficulty Collection Reward, he doesn't show absolute dominance. He's strong overall, but lacks a truly exceptional aspect. Carlos Beltrán's switch hitting and top-tier swing make him a long-term main center fielder for many players. Especially under high difficulty, his hitting response is extremely consistent.

  Right Field

  Juan Soto remains one of the most consistent right fielders in the current MLB The Show 26 version. Although his Overall rating is only 95, his Power, Clutch, Swing, and in-game output are all top-tier.

  Anthony Santander, despite his poor speed and defense, boasts a 111 power rating with both hands. This is one of the strongest power attributes in MLB 26. You could equip him with a batting average mod for a typical DH-type right fielder. Vladimir Guerrero's swing is described as buttery smooth. However, he's particularly dangerous against left-handed pitchers.

  Catcher

  I believe Ted Simmons is currently the strongest catcher in MLB The Show 26 version. While some players believe he has a noodle bat problem, I think his swing and overall hitting performance are still top-tier. The only downside might be his high price tag, requiring 205,000 MLB The Show 26 Stubs.

  Jorge Posada is almost always a top-tier catcher. Excellent swing, consistent power, and especially dangerous against left-handed pitchers. Switch-hitter catchers are crucial in the current meta. Excellent Swing + ambidextrous play give them a natural advantage.

  Pitcher

  Felix Hernandez is arguably the most perfect pitcher in the current MLB The Show 26 version, possessing Fastball, Sinker, Circle Change, Slider, Cutter, and also boasting extremely high H/9 and Clutch. Michael King is widely considered one of the most annoying pitchers among Legend players, his sinker motion being incredibly difficult to read.

  It's worth noting that Schultz has a very unpredictable release motion. Sweeper + Cutter combination is extremely difficult to handle on Legend difficulty, making this card worth investing in.

  Overall, MLB The Show 26 meta has entered a relatively stable phase. With the release of new cards, events, and major updates, the current meta may still change. But at least for now, these players undoubtedly represent the top-tier strength at each position in MLB The Show 26. If you're aiming for Ranked and building the strongest lineup, these players are definitely worth prioritizing.

• MLB The Show 26 Top 10 Pitchers Are Heating up in May | Your stubs are safe if you pick these Aces

  In June, MLB teams will begin their trade period. Since player performances tend to stabilize in May, teams will refer to May data for their trades. These changes will also be reflected in MLB The Show 26.

  Let's focus on the top 10 pitchers of May, examine their stats in MLB The Show 26, and predict how those stats might change.

  

  Here are top 10 pitchers of May:

  • No.1 80 OVR Jacob Misiorowski
  • No.2 85 OVR Cristopher Sánchez
  • No.3 81 OVR Cam Schlittler
  • No.4 94 OVR Shohei Ohtani
  • No.5 90 OVR Paul Skenes
  • No.6 85 OVR Hunter Greene
  • No.7 88 OVR Chris Sale
  • No.8 78 OVR Aaron Ashby
  • No.9 78 OVR Braxton Ashcraft
  • No.10 72 OVR Kyle Harrison

  No.1 80 OVR Jacob Misiorowski (SP, Brewers)

  Jacob Misiorowski's Live Card in MLB The Show 26 is only 80 OVR, but his form in May was unprecedentedly hot. Throughout the month, he recorded 49 strikeouts while issuing just 6 walks. Thanks to his outstanding performance, he became the first pitcher in the 2026 season to reach 100 strikeouts.

  In a game against Cardinals, he astonishingly threw 57 pitches exceeding 100 mph, setting a single-game record for the majors since tracking of this statistic began in 2008. Before his game against Cardinals on May 25, he had thrown 29.1 consecutive scoreless innings.

  If he can maintain his hot form, his OVR might increase by 5 points, turning him into a Diamond Card. He is currently worth about 800 MLB The Show 26 stubs, and investing in him will almost certainly yield you stubs.

  No.2 85 OVR Cristopher Sánchez (SP, Phillies)

  Sánchez's most remarkable achievement this month came on May 27, when he set a new franchise record with 44.2 consecutive scoreless innings, breaking the record previously held by Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander, which had stood since 1911.

  This astonishing record is just 14.1 innings shy of the all-time record of 59 innings set by Orel Hershiser in 1988. In MLB The Show 26, his H/9 Right is only 56, which is undoubtedly a weakness. However, given his performance since May, this flaw may be addressed in the next update.

  No.3 81 OVR Cam Schlittler (SP, Yankees)

  Throughout May, Schlittler allowed 1 run or fewer in 7 of his 8 starts, showing remarkable consistency. As of May 10, he became the first pitcher since Hall of Famer Walter Johnson in 1913 to record 50+ strikeouts, fewer than 10 walks, and no more than 1 home run allowed over his first 9 starts of the season.

  Although his performance is not as flashy as Jacob Misiorowski's, maintaining such a high level of consistency fully demonstrates his quality as a top-tier pitcher. Moreover, the official developers have placed a 93 OVR Cam Schlittler card in Rivalry Weekend Recap Program, which is worth collecting.

  No.4 94 OVR Shohei Ohtani (SP, Dodgers)

  Shohei Ohtani's overall performance could rank in the top three. However, Dodgers avoided overloading him to prevent excessive strain, so he did not pitch excessively.

  Even so, he displayed astonishing consistency, with an extremely low opponent batting average, and almost no one could hit a home run against him at home. His card in MLB The Show 26 is already among the best, so his overall rating may not be increased further, but his stats could still be boosted.

  

  No.5 90 OVR Paul Skenes (SP, Pirates)

  In May, Skenes posted a 3-1 record overall, with 45 strikeouts against only 4 walks, and 16 scoreless innings.

  After a strong performance of 6 scoreless innings on May 17th, Skenes became the first pitcher this season to reach 200 strikeouts. However, he is not underrated in MLB 26, so he is not expected to be adjusted, similar to Shohei Ohtani.

  No.6 85 OVR Hunter Greene (SP, Reds)

  After a two-week absence due to injury, Hunter Greene returned to the pitching table on May 5th with a scoreless 6-inning performance. To ensure a healthy return, Greene participated in a series of minor league rehabilitation games, striking out 24 in 13 innings, maintaining his dominant fastball.

  While still not quite on par with top pitchers like Paul Skenes, Hunter Greene's breakout performance in May may earn him a rating increase.

  No.7 88 OVR Chris Sale (SP, Braves)

  As a veteran and nine-time All-Star, Chris Sale performed very consistently, allowing only 3 earned runs over 4 consecutive starts while recording 33 strikeouts. In a game against Rockies on May 2, he threw 6 scoreless innings, giving up just 1 hit and striking out 9. Among veterans, this level of performance can be considered the very best.

  No.8 78 OVR Aaron Ashby (RP, Brewers)

  Aaron Ashby mostly pitched in relief during May, yet he ranked first in Wins Above Replacement. He is a highly underrated pitcher and will almost certainly receive a rating upgrade in MLB The Show 26.

  No.9 78 OVR Braxton Ashcraft (SP, Pirates)

  Braxton Ashcraft is a steady starting pitcher who consistently delivers quality starts. His form peaked in May, and he also possesses excellent control. He remained undefeated throughout May, with an overall outstanding performance.

  No.10 72 OVR Kyle Harrison (SP, Brewers)

  In May, Kyle Harrison posted a 4-0 record. He managed to keep winning games, control runs perfectly, and even set a franchise record. Although there is still a gap compared to top pitchers, there is no doubt that Kyle Harrison was in very good form throughout May.

  All 10 pitchers performed quite well in May. Some of them may attract attention from other teams and be traded, and MLB The Show 26 might also release new cards for them. If you want to invest to earn Stubs, most players on this list are good options.

• MLB The Show 26 is making the way harder to earn Program XP: Why does this game seem to be in maintenance mode?

  Although it has only been a little over two months since its official release, MLB The Show 26 seems to have already entered a maintenance mode.

  Aside from the necessary new programs, there are almost no new activities to stimulate you to invest more time and energy into the game.

  If that were the only issue, it wouldn't be such a big deal; after all, testing out the new player cards acquired through these programs in various standard competitive modes is a meaningful activity in itself.

  The critical issue, and perhaps you've felt it too, is that for some reason, earning program XP has recently become significantly more difficult. Consequently, the few remaining incentives to play MLB The Show 26 are gradually fading away.

  In the following sections, we will analyze the reasons behind this phenomenon and discuss other potential factors that may be impacting your overall MLB The Show 26 experience.

  

  What are the sources of program XP?

  In MLB The Show 26, a program is a reward-oriented daily activity. Each program features its own exclusive reward path, which players can unlock step-by-step by earning XP.

  While the specific methods for earning XP may vary depending on the content and scope of a particular program, they generally fall into three main categories: completing designated Missions, completing Moments, and completing Collections.

  Within the missions category, requirements can be further refined, for instance, performing specific actions using a designated player, or earning a sufficient amount of PXP within a specific game mode.

  How is the difficulty in earning program XP manifesting?

  Typically, to ensure that the majority of players can successfully complete a program, and acknowledging that some individual tasks can be quite challenging, the total amount of earnable XP is designed to exceed the actual requirement for obtaining all rewards.

  For example, if a single program requires 50 XP to unlock every reward, the total available XP might be significantly higher than that figure.

  Although this underlying mechanism remains unchanged, an increasing number of players have recently felt that the quantity of available Missions is insufficient, or that the amount of XP awarded upon completing a single Mission is simply too low.

  While it remains true that you can still acquire all the rewards before the current program expires, provided you invest enough time, the overall grind has become significantly more drawn-out than it was previously.

  The frustrating result is that, subjectively speaking, the process feels much more exhausting than in the past, yet the ultimate rewards you receive remain exactly the same.

  Furthermore, due to a general lack of other engaging activities, completing each program essentially forces you to cycle through the same handful of stale, repetitive game modes. If this trend continues, who would want to keep playing these programs in the long run?

  Why is this phenomenon occurring?

  As you are likely aware, the primary appeal of program rewards lies in the fact that they offer new, specific player cards, or premium card packs that hold the potential to yield powerful new players.

  Therefore, if the program were too easy to complete, the game would quickly become saturated with players fielding overpowered rosters, ultimately leading to power creep where everything loses its significance.

  Perhaps it was precisely with this in mind that the development team decided to slow down the pace of program progression, for instance, by reducing the amount of XP awarded per individual mission.

  While the intention behind this was sound, it is unfortunate that other aspects of MLB 26 were not executed with the same level of polish; consequently, the actual player experience has suffered.

  In fact, this issue extends beyond just the program; recently, MLB The Show 26 seems to be constantly using the pretext of preventing card stat inflation to delay the launch or slow down the update cadence of various new in-game events.

  Which players are most affected by this phenomenon?

  For die-hard fans, most of these unpopular decisions won't be enough to make them abandon MLB 26; as for casual players, they weren't going to invest a significant amount of time in the game anyway.

  Consequently, the group truly impacted by these recent, ineffective adjustments consists of those in the middle, the semi-casual or semi-hardcore players, who, in reality, constitute the core demographic that determines the game's ultimate fate.

  To satisfy this segment of the player base, MLB 26 needs to design new program pathways that both encourage players to invest more time in the game and provide them with opportunities to acquire the top-tier, meta-defining player cards.

  In other words, only by offering a sufficient number of rewards that average players can realistically earn through effort, thereby establishing a clear and effective progression path within the program XP system, can the program mechanism, and indeed MLB 26 itself, truly deliver a worthwhile gaming experience.

  Other potential negative trends

  Beyond the increased difficulty in earning program XP, MLB 26 currently faces another issue: the game appears to be introducing an excessive number of Switch Hitters.

  In the context of the game, Switch Hitters are batters capable of hitting from both the left and right sides of the plate. This unique attribute often allows them to outperform standard right-handed or left-handed batters, even those with higher statistical ratings on paper.

  Consequently, having Switch Hitters in your lineup provides a strategic advantage, allowing you to adapt to a wider range of game situations, maintain the platoon advantage in every at-bat, and minimize the reduction in your PCI size caused by outside pitches.

  However, flooding the game with too many Switch Hitters can lead to roster saturation, where every player's lineup becomes functionally identical in terms of power level, which directly contradicts the original intent behind slowing down the pace of program progression.

  Given this situation, and coupled with the current lack of meaningful new content in MLB 26, it is difficult to avoid the suspicion that this low output stems entirely from the development team's own laziness, rather than from any genuine effort to enhance the player experience.

  In fact, we have previously analyzed the predicament currently facing MLB The Show 26, specifically regarding the dearth of content in its Diamond Dynasty mode.

  Ironically, this entire situation is a self-inflicted wound, a consequence of the development team's own actions, rather than the result of any external forces.

  Over the coming months, FIFA World Cup is bound to generate a fresh wave of interest in FC 26; furthermore, other sports simulation titles are scheduled to release their latest installments in succession.

  Therefore, if MLB 26 does not make immediate changes and adjust its content update cadence, it risks not only alienating its current player base but also inflicting further negative repercussions upon the launch of MLB 27 next year.

  While there will always be a core group of die-hard fans willing to keep playing regardless of the game's quality, if the developers allow the existence of this loyal base to foster complacency and stifle innovation, it is only a matter of time before another baseball game rises to take MLB series' place!

  ---

  It is not just that the program XP has become increasingly difficult to earn; you will also notice that the in-game avenues for acquiring stubs have recently become much more restrictive.

  So, if you wish to continue playing the game without feeling constantly hamstrung by these limitations, your best bet is to promptly buy MLB 26 Stubs from IGGM!

  Our services are not only secure but also designed to ensure rapid delivery whenever possible, allowing you to use your stubs to instantly unlock the player cards or other in-game content you desire!

• Earn 30k+ Stubs per hour with Insane Silver to Gold Exchange Glitch after MLB The Show 26 Roster Update!

  In MLB The Show 26, every official content drop and roster update inevitably shakes up the in-game market. With the launch of the May 22nd Roster Update, the market prices for Silver cards have hit an all-time low, a phenomenon that has directly paved the way for the craziest stub-earning method currently available in the game: the Silver-to-Gold Exchange.

  Using this method, you can consistently rake in 30,000 to 60,000 stubs per hour. Below, we'll break down exactly how this strategy works and show you how to maximize your return on investment!

  

  Why is this a guaranteed profit right now?

  First and foremost, the key to this investment strategy lies in leveraging the rock-bottom market prices of Silver cards to acquire a large volume of Gold cards. By utilizing the guaranteed Quick Sell floor value of Gold cards, combined with the potential for high-OVR player drops, you can earn MLB The Show 26 Stubs with extremely low risk!

  Silver Card Quick Sell Values

  As of now, Quick Sell floor values ​​for Silver cards of varying OVR ratings on the market are as follows:

  • 75 OVR: 50 Stubs
  • 76 OVR: 75 Stubs
  • 77 OVR: 100 Stubs
  • 78 OVR: 125 Stubs
  • 79 OVR: 150 Stubs

  Of course, simply quick selling these silver cards directly isn't a very profitable move. Instead, the goal is to utilize Exchange feature within MLB The Show 26 to trade them in for Live Series Gold Packs (which require 18,000 Exchange Points). Within Diamond Dynasty mode, you can exchange any unwanted player cards or items for points; this allows you to keep the cost per pack within a tight range of 500 to 600 Stubs.

  Based on the current average market prices for gold cards in the game, and accounting for the inherent RNG (randomness) of pack openings, the average expected value of the items you pull from a single Live Series Gold Pack sits at approximately 750 Stubs, even if you happen to have the worst luck imaginable.

  This means that for every Gold Pack you open, you stand to make a net profit of roughly 150 to 250 stubs. If you can manage to sell 200 packs in bulk within a single hour, your pure profit will skyrocket directly to between 37,500 and 62,500 stubs!

  How can you possibly complete over 200 packs per hour?

  I know right now many players are likely skeptical, wondering how it could be humanly possible to complete 200 or even more pack exchanges in just one hour. In reality, your current inefficiency is likely just a result of using the wrong platform and the wrong combination of cards.

  First off, to achieve the feat of exchanging 200 packs per hour, using your console will only drag down your progress; I highly recommend switching entirely to Companion App. This is because on the console the system interface resets every time you complete an exchange; this forces you to constantly flip through pages and scroll to locate cards again, a process that is both incredibly time-consuming and tedious.

  In contrast, Companion App's Exchange interface saves your spot. Once you select and complete an exchange for a specific tier of cards, the interface remains right where it is, eliminating the need to re-search for cards, a feature that saves you over 70% of your operational time.

  However, to achieve this rapid-fire exchange speed on Companion App without ever having to flip pages, you must use a combination of cards that are all of the same rating to reach the 18,000-point threshold. If you mix player cards with different OVRs, you will inevitably be forced to frequently switch pages, causing your efficiency to plummet.

  Now, here are the optimal single-rating card combinations for reaching the 18,000-point target:

  • 10x 75 OVR Silver cards
  • 8x 76 OVR Silver cards
  • 6x 77 OVR Silver cards - The most highly recommended Gold Standard combination

  Before you begin exchanging, ensure you have at least 100k stubs in liquid capital. Then, simply head to Marketplace, identify any Silver cards currently listed at their Quick Sell price, and get them in bulk, acquiring about 20 of them should suffice.

  Once your orders have been fulfilled, navigate to Exchange tab within Companion App. Use either the 8x 76 OVR Silver card combination or the 6x 77 OVR Silver card combination to execute rapid-fire exchanges repeatedly until you are finished.

  

  Stockpile cards that have the potential to jump to gold tier during the next Roster Update

  If you were to simply open Gold packs and Quick Sell the contents, you would only be earning basic, hard-earned pocket change. What truly elevates this method to the status of a crazy glitch is that our strategy is specifically designed to capitalize on the upcoming roster update.

  The next major roster update is scheduled for approximately June 5th. Therefore, before engaging in any Silver to Gold exchanges, you can seize this opportunity to over-cap, exceed the standard inventory limit, on specific players.

  As is well known, although MLB 26 typically imposes a limit on the number of copies of a single card you can hold, you can bypass this restriction by utilizing card packs to over-cap, allowing you to stockpile dozens or even hundreds of copies of a specific player.

  All you need to do is keep a close eye on players who are currently Silver cards but have a high probability of being officially upgraded to 80+ OVR Gold cards after June 5th, thanks to their outstanding real-world performance. Stockpile as many of these players as possible, for instance:

  • Mickey Moniak: Currently at the floor price for a Silver card; highly likely to be upgraded to Gold, making this a virtually risk-free investment.
  • Ildemaro Vargas: A high-potential Silver card; it is recommended to buy the dip and invest immediately.
  • Gavin Williams: A top contender for a gold card upgrade.
  • Michael Harris II: Projected to skyrocket to a high-tier 83 OVR card following Roster Update.

  If you happen to pull a large number of these players from packs, either by chance or through deliberate stockpiling, their quick sell value will instantly surge from 100 stubs to several thousand stubs the moment they are successfully upgraded on June 5th. When factoring in this future appreciation, your effective hourly earnings rate could soar from 30,000 to over 50,000 Stubs.

  Currently, because a new Roster Update was just released on May 22nd, Silver card market is heavily saturated, making this an excellent time to jump in. As time passes and this strategy is widely adopted by the community, driving up the floor prices of Silver cards, the profit margins will inevitably begin to narrow. So, don't let this golden opportunity pass you by, MLB 26 players! Log in to the game right now and make your first fortune before the June 5th Roster Update arrives!

• MLB The Show 26 May All-Position Hitter Rankings | The free reward that outplays collection legends

  In MLB The Show 26, assembling a top-tier team requires carefully weighing the strengths and weaknesses of players at each position. A single dominant player cannot stop the weak links on your roster from giving up runs, so you need to keep your overall lineup balanced.

  May didn't bring a huge amount of new content, and we might have to wait until June for more releases. In the meantime, let's take a look at the best hitters for every position in MLB The Show 26 during May.

  

  Catcher

  94 OVR Jorge Posada

  Jorge Posada is widely regarded as the best catcher in the game right now. At the plate, he posts a 95 contact against right-handed pitchers, a 119 against lefties, a 101 clutch rating, and excellent power on both sides.

  His fielding and arm strength are also above average. On top of that, he comes with First-Pitch Hitter and Dead Red quirks, giving him a fantastic swing feel. Although he is around 100k stubs, his performance more than justifies that figure.

  92 OVR Victor Martinez

  As a switch hitter, Martinez is the second-best option at catcher. He boasts high contact, great vision, solid clutch stats, and reliable power—further boostable with a power mod. His fielding is adequate for the position, and he also carries Dead Red quirk. Best of all, he is only 12,000 MLB The Show 26 stubs, making him accessible to almost any lineup.

  First Base

  99 OVR Albert Pujols

  A collection reward card, Albert Pujols is the ultimate first baseman that every player dreams of. His stats are nearly perfect across the board, and little more needs to be said. If you have him, every other first baseman takes a back seat.

  99 OVR Miguel Cabrera

  Miguel Cabrera is listed as a third baseman by default, but as a collection card he can also be slotted in at first base. His formidable stats make him unmatched at either position.

  93 OVR Ildemaro Vargas

  The top two options are collection rewards, which many players may not have unlocked yet. So let's look at the third choice. Ildemaro Vargas is only 30,000 stubs and can cover first, second, third, shortstop, and left field. His power is a bit weak at 60, so consider equipping a contact-and-power mod to boost it.

  Second Base

  99 OVR Troy Tulowitzki

  Troy Tulowitzki excels in every attribute except bunt, drag bunt, and stealing—there is no doubt about his strength. However, because he is an expensive collection card, many players cannot obtain him. So let's explore other options.

  95 OVR José Ramírez

  Though also a collection card, Mural series collection is fairly simple to complete: you can unlock this card with 170k stubs. He can play second base, shortstop, left field, and third base. With a speed mod, his speed reaches 95. He has a great swing feel, and while his defense is average due to his smaller frame, his excellent hitting more than makes up for it.

  Shortstop

  92 OVR Elly De La Cruz

  The best shortstop remains 99 OVR Troy Tulowitzki, so we'll skip him for now. 92 OVR Elly De La Cruz is the final reward from April Lightning program. He is a rare switch hitter, giving him an advantage against pitchers from both sides and greatly increasing his in-game flexibility. He is particularly strong against lefties, with key stats near 100: 95 contact and 97 power. After applying a speed-and-fielding mod, his defense becomes no problem at all. He is very tall and can leap to snag high fly balls, and his range for diving plays is also large.

  95 OVR Francisco Lindor

  95 OVR Francisco Lindor can be obtained at no cost through XP program. His contact, clutch, and power are all solid. The main issue is that his defense is somewhat average, and compared to Elly De La Cruz, Lindor is at a disadvantage in nearly every stat.

  Third Base

  99 OVR Miguel Cabrera, 99 OVR Albert Pujols, and 94 OVR Chipper Jones are all exceptional third basemen with fantastic swing mechanics—nothing to complain about. However, these cards are very hard to acquire.

  92 OVR Ian Happ

  92 OVR Ian Happ is a free reward from Cityscapes Program. He is a switch hitter with an excellent swing, strong contact, clutch, power, and various quirks. Highly recommended for players who do not have top-tier cards.

  Left Field

  93 OVR Mickey Mantle With a speed mod, 93 OVR Mickey Mantle reaches 99 speed. He also offers solid contact, good clutch, balanced power on both sides, reliable defense, and Situational Hitter and Rally Monkey quirks.

  92 OVR Carlos Beltran

  92 OVR Carlos Beltran has 96 contact against righties, 85 against lefties, and good clutch. A speed mod pushes him to 99 speed. His power versus righties is the main shortcoming, but he is among the best defensive center fielders in the game right now, with top-tier speed. If you can live with his lack of power, this card is very strong.

  Center Field

  95 OVR Ken Griffey Jr.

  Ken Griffey Jr. boasts one of the smoothest swing animations in the game, with quirks including Situational Hitter and Bad Ball Hitter. His contact and power on both sides are excellent, and his clutch is respectable.

  Right Field

  92 OVR Ken Singleton

  Ken Singleton has solid contact, clutch, and power on both sides. A power /speed mod can improve his defensive capabilities. The main drawback is his low speed, which makes his defense average. If you like his swing, he is definitely worth a try.

  The above is the recommended top lineup for all field positions in MLB The Show 26 during May. Looking forward to seeing even better players arrive in June.

• MLB The Show 26 May Spotlight Drop 3 Program Guide | The free rewards you'd be absolutely crazy to skip

  MLB The Show 26 just received a fresh update, and May Spotlight Drop 3 Program has arrived, bringing a handful of new players into the fold.

  Though May Spotlight Drop 3 Program is modest, the rewards are still well worth chasing. Let's break down every player available, the challenges that await.

  

  May Spotlight Drop 3 Program

  The reward structure for Drop 3 mirrors what we saw in the first two drops - the real difference lies in the players themselves:

  • 10 Points: 91 OVR Topps Now Brandon Sproat
  • 20 Points: 92 OVR Topps Now A.J. Ewing
  • 30 Points: 2,500 XP
  • 40 Points: May Spotlight Drop 3 pack
  • 50 Points: 94 OVR Spotlight Nick Kurtz & 2,500 XP

  Complete every task and you can actually walk away with 4 players, though what you pull from May Spotlight Drop 3 pack comes down to luck. Let's start with the guaranteed names along the reward path.

  91 OVR Topps Now Brandon Sproat

  • H/9 Right: 83
  • H/9 Left: 92
  • K/9 Right: 92
  • K/9 Left: 90
  • Control: 71
  • Pitch Clutch: 92
  • Stamina: 88
  • Velocity: 99
  • Break: 91
  • Stuff: 84
  • HR/9: 63
  • BB/9: 71

  The Control figure is on the lower side, which could make a Control Mod essential. His pitch mix, however, is quite appealing: Cutter, Sinker, 4-Seam, Sweeper and Slurve. He also comes equipped with Quirks like Break Outlier, Stopper and Pickoff Artist. All things considered, if you need to fill out a rotation spot, he is a viable option.

  92 OVR Topps Now A.J. Ewing

  • Contact Right: 97
  • Contact Left: 96
  • Power Right: 76
  • Power Left: 65
  • Vision: 70
  • Discipline: 104
  • Clutch: 103
  • Bunt: 45
  • Drag Bunt: 40
  • Durability: 96
  • Fielding: 81
  • Speed: 91

  A.J. Ewing brings plenty of speed and more than capable defense. Should you need a pinch runner, there is no better choice.

  94 OVR Spotlight Nick Kurtz

  • Contact Right: 109
  • Contact Left: 94
  • Power Right: 95
  • Power Left: 96
  • Vision: 54
  • Discipline: 125
  • Clutch: 110
  • Bunt: 35
  • Drag Bunt: 25
  • Durability: 92

  Nick Kurtz stands as the headliner of May Spotlight Drop 3 Program. His hitting ability is exceptional, though his defense is decidedly ordinary. Yet it's the offensive firepower that truly defines him - a card that absolutely cannot be overlooked.

  May Spotlight Drop 3 Pack Players

  New players in May Spotlight Drop 3 Pack can be obtained through market trading. Collecting players from the Spotlight and Topps Now series in the pack will earn you 15 and 35 points respectively. If you have enough MLB The Show 26 stubs, you can consider this method to May Spotlight Drop 3 Program.

  94 OVR Spotlight Daylen Lile

  Daylen Lile features high contact and some pop against right-handed pitching, but he struggles when facing southpaws. He can swipe a bag, though his speed is not elite, and his defense is serviceable. Overall, he projects as a fairly reliable outfielder and hitter.

  94 OVR Spotlight Aaron Ashby

  This card boasts excellent Per Nines, with control being the only slight shortcoming - a gap that a Parallel Mod can help close. His repertoire includes a Sinker, 12-6 Curve, Slider, Circle Change and 4-Seam fastball. On higher difficulties, he could perform quite well.

  92 OVR Topps Now Rodolfo Durán

  Behind the plate, his defense qualifies as decent, while his Pop Time is outstanding. He can also lay down a bunt when needed. All in all, a solid card.

  92 OVR Topps Now Henry Bolte

  Against right-handed pitching his contact splits are 88/76; against lefties they improve to 92/87. His defense is good, his speed reaches 85, and his stealing ability sits at 99, which allows him to function as an excellent center fielder.

  92 OVR Topps Now Yohendrick Pinango

  A left fielder whose power numbers come in at 102/86 and 103/62. His arm strength is average, his speed unremarkable, and he isn't much of a threat on the bases. On lower difficulty settings he might hold his own.

  

  How to Make Progress?

  Moments (4 Points Each)

  1. Tally 3 Total Bases.
  2. Hit 1 Home Run.
  3. Record 1 Hit and 1 RBI.
  4. Record 1 Extra-Base Hit.
  5. Collect 3 Hits.
  6. Pitch 1 inning, strike out 2 batters, and allow no runs.
  7. Accumulate 5 Total Bases.

  There is also an Extreme Moment worth 30 points that asks you to score 8 runs on Hall of Fame difficulty. This challenge is incredibly tough, and skipping it is a perfectly reasonable choice.

  Missions

  • 15 points: Earn 5,000 Parallel XP.
  • 15 points: Tally 1,000 Parallel XP using Spotlight series players.
  • 10 points: Hit 10 Home Runs with players whose primary position is infield.
  • 10 points: Strike out 12 batters using relief or closing pitchers as their primary role.

  Collection

  • 15 points: Collect 92 OVR Topps Now cards of Rodolfo Durán, Henry Bolte and Yohendrick Pinango.
  • 35 points: Collect 94 OVR Spotlight cards of Daylen Lile and Aaron Ashby.

  That wraps up everything included in May Spotlight Drop 3 Program, and it is fair to say the volume of new content is on the lighter side. If your goal is to grind for resources, heading into Ranked play comes highly recommended.