MLB The Show 26: Is Nolan Ryan Worth It

Nolan Ryan is one of the biggest names coming to MLB The Show 26 Diamond Dynasty in November. The legendary right-handed pitcher is joining the All-Time Teams Program with a new Milestone card, while a separate Extreme Variant will give players another version to pursue through the All-Time Teams Extreme Program.

Ryan has always been an interesting pitcher in MLB The Show because of his exceptional fastball velocity, strikeout potential, and ability to overpower hitters. However, throwing hard is not enough to guarantee success against experienced Ranked Seasons opponents.

The real question is whether his new Milestone card can deliver the combination of velocity, pitch movement, and control needed to compete with established starters such as Bob Gibson and Pedro Martinez.

Nolan Ryan's Pitching Strengths: Velocity and Strikeout Potential

Ryan's biggest advantage is his fastball. His existing 96 OVR Standout card already demonstrates the kind of power-pitching profile Diamond Dynasty players expect from him.

The card features 99 Velocity, 99 Break, 113 H/9 against right-handed hitters, and 101 H/9 against left-handed hitters. Its K/9 ratings are 104 against right-handed hitters and 86 against left-handed hitters.

Here is a look at the existing Standout card's pitching attributes:

These are the ratings of his existing Standout card, not the newly announced Milestone version. Players should check the new card's in-game attributes before making a direct comparison.

Even so, the existing card shows why Ryan is worth watching. His strong H/9, right-handed strikeout potential, and elite velocity provide a solid foundation for a competitive starting pitcher.

His main weakness is control. A 65 Control rating means players need to pay attention to pitch location rather than relying on raw velocity alone.

Pitch Mix: How to Use Nolan Ryan Effectively

Ryan's existing Standout card has five pitches: a four-seam fastball, 12-6 curve, changeup, sinker, and slider.

This combination gives Ryan several ways to challenge hitters.

Four-Seam Fastball: The Primary Weapon

The four-seam fastball is the foundation of Ryan's pitching strategy. His existing card has the Outlier I quirk, which increases the primary pitch's velocity by 3 mph beyond the normal maximum.

This makes the fastball particularly dangerous when used with changing locations and pitch sequences.

Avoid throwing it in the same location repeatedly. Experienced opponents can adjust to predictable high fastballs, especially if they recognize your pitching patterns early.

12-6 Curve: Change the Hitter's Timing

The 12-6 curve provides a significant speed difference from the fastball.

Ryan's existing version has 84 mph velocity and 99 Break on this pitch. It can help disrupt timing when opponents are expecting another fastball.

Use the curve to change the visual and timing relationship between pitches rather than throwing it randomly. Mixing it with fastballs can make it harder for hitters to commit early.

Changeup: Create Another Timing Difference

The changeup gives Ryan another slower option. At 85 mph on his existing card, it provides a different timing window from the four-seam fastball and sinker.

It can be useful when opponents start swinging early against hard pitches.

Sinker and Slider: Keep Hitters Guessing

The 95 mph sinker provides another fastball look, while the 88 mph slider adds a breaking option.

The combination gives Ryan more variety than a pitcher who depends entirely on a four-seam fastball and curveball.

The important part is learning how these pitches work together. A good sequence should make the opponent react to different speeds and movement patterns instead of allowing them to sit on one pitch.

Can Nolan Ryan Compete in Ranked Seasons?

Ryan's potential value in Ranked Seasons comes from his ability to generate uncomfortable at-bats.

His velocity can make hitters react quickly, while his breaking pitches provide opportunities to change timing. However, competitive opponents are more likely to punish predictable locations and repeated pitch sequences.

There are three areas worth considering.

1. Control Is the Main Concern

Ryan's existing Standout card has 65 Control. This is an important limitation because a pitcher with excellent velocity can still struggle if important pitches consistently miss their intended locations.

Players should prioritize controlled pitching sequences and avoid depending on perfect corner placement throughout an entire game.

2. His Pitch Mix Offers More Than Raw Velocity

The combination of a four-seam fastball, sinker, curve, changeup, and slider gives Ryan several different options.

Players should avoid relying on the four-seam fastball alone. Mixing speeds and locations is particularly important against opponents who have strong hitting timing.

3. Stamina Supports Longer Starts

His existing Standout card has 102 Stamina, which is a strong foundation for a starting pitcher.

However, stamina alone does not guarantee consistent performance late in a game. Players should monitor fatigue and consider replacing Ryan when his command or effectiveness begins to decline.

Nolan Ryan vs. Bob Gibson and Pedro Martinez

Ryan will enter a Diamond Dynasty rotation environment that already includes several established legendary pitchers.

Bob Gibson, Pedro Martinez, and Nolan Ryan offer different pitching styles, so choosing between them should involve more than comparing Overall ratings.

Ryan is particularly appealing to players who enjoy attacking hitters with high velocity.

However, if your rotation already contains several power pitchers, Pedro Martinez may provide a different approach. Gibson is also worth considering when building a rotation around overall pitching balance.

The best rotation does not necessarily need five pitchers with identical strengths. Having different pitching styles can make it harder for opponents to settle into a comfortable hitting rhythm.

The new Milestone Ryan card should be compared with these options after its complete attributes are available.

Is the Extreme Variant Worth Unlocking?

The All-Time Teams Extreme Program introduces an additional Nolan Ryan Variant, giving players another reason to take on the more demanding content.

However, players should not assume that the Extreme Variant is automatically better simply because it comes from an Extreme Program.

Before investing additional time, compare the two versions in several important areas:

H/9 against both right-handed and left-handed hitters.

K/9 and Pitching Clutch.

Control and pitch-specific ratings.

Fastball velocity and breaking-ball movement.

Stamina and overall pitching effectiveness.

Control deserves particular attention. If the Variant improves Ryan's command while maintaining his velocity and strikeout potential, it could be a meaningful upgrade for Ranked Seasons.

On the other hand, a small Overall increase without improvements to important pitching attributes may not justify a significant additional grind.

For players who already have a strong rotation, the standard Milestone version may be sufficient. Those looking to optimize every position in their God Squad can compare both versions before deciding how much time to invest.

Should You Add Nolan Ryan to Your Diamond Dynasty Rotation?

Nolan Ryan is worth watching because his established pitching profile offers a combination of elite velocity, strong H/9, and a varied five-pitch arsenal.

His biggest strength is the ability to make hitters uncomfortable with fast pitches and slower breaking options. His biggest concern is control, which can become more noticeable against experienced Ranked Seasons opponents.

Here is a practical recommendation based on different player needs:

Players who are also upgrading other positions should consider their overall roster budget. MLB The Show 26 Stubs can help with roster-building decisions, but investing in one legendary pitcher should not come at the expense of several important lineup weaknesses.

Nolan Ryan Is Worth Watching, but His Attributes Matter

The new Milestone Nolan Ryan is one of the most interesting pitching additions to the MLB The Show 26 All-Time Teams Program.

His existing 96 OVR Standout card already demonstrates the strengths that make him appealing: 99 Velocity, 99 Break, strong H/9 ratings, and a five-pitch arsenal built around a powerful four-seam fastball.

However, his 65 Control rating also highlights the weakness players should watch when evaluating his new version.

For Ranked Seasons, Ryan's value will depend on whether the Milestone card improves his command while preserving his ability to overpower hitters. The Extreme Variant deserves attention for the same reason, but its actual attributes should determine whether the additional challenge is worthwhile.

If you enjoy power pitching and want another legendary starter for your Diamond Dynasty rotation, Nolan Ryan is definitely worth evaluating. Just make sure his complete in-game ratings support the investment before making him a permanent member of your God Squad.

The U4GM Team