MLB The Show 26 New Cards Ranked

The latest MLB The Show 26 content drop added several 99-rated cards, and Manny Ramirez is getting most of the attention. But with David Wright, CC Sabathia, Brian Dozier, Nick Sogard, and Michael Young also entering the mix, Manny isn't automatically the best choice for every lineup.

The real question is simple: which cards are actually worth your time, MLB The Show 26 Stubs, and lineup spots?

Manny Ramirez – 99 LF

Manny is the clear headliner. His biggest advantage is his bat, with elite contact and power making him a serious middle-of-the-order threat. His hitting quirks should make him especially dangerous against different pitch types, and his offensive ceiling is easily the highest among these new cards.

The tradeoff is defense and speed. Manny isn't the type of left fielder you use because you want elite range, so DH is also a natural option.

His biggest drawback may be the cost. As a Boss card, demand can push his market price very high early on. If you can afford him, though, the offensive production could make the investment worthwhile.

David Wright – 99 3B

David Wright offers a much more balanced profile. He has a useful combination of contact, power, and defense, making him a dependable third baseman without having one massive weakness.

The problem is competition. If you already have an elite third baseman, Wright may not be enough of an upgrade to justify changing your lineup. For players still using an older card, however, he's a very reasonable addition.

CC Sabathia – 99 SP

CC Sabathia is the card I'd look at first if pitching is your biggest weakness. A strong left-handed starter can make a huge difference, especially if your rotation is overloaded with right-handers.

His velocity and pitch movement give him plenty of potential, although control and pitch mix will ultimately determine how effective he feels in actual games.

If your rotation already has several top-tier starters, Sabathia becomes less urgent. But for anyone looking to add another quality lefty, he's an easy card to consider.

Brian Dozier – 99 2B

Brian Dozier isn't getting the same attention as Manny, but he's a useful all-around option at second base. His offensive ability and defensive balance make him easy to use, while earning him through the XP Path adds even more value.

He's not necessarily a must-start player, especially if your middle infield is already stacked. Still, he's worth picking up if second base is one of your weaker positions.

Nick Sogard – 99 Spotlight

Nick Sogard is the hardest card to rank before getting enough gameplay experience. His value will depend heavily on his attributes, position eligibility, defense, speed, and especially his swing.

The good news is that Spotlight content is relatively easy to work through. I'd simply complete the program and test him rather than spending heavily to get him.

If the swing feels good in-game, his value could end up being much higher than the initial reaction suggests.

Michael Young – 99

Michael Young may not have the hype of Manny, but he's arguably the best value card in the group. His Player Program is easy to complete, and his infield versatility gives him plenty of potential uses.

For players building a competitive roster without wanting to spend a lot of stubs, this is exactly the kind of card you want.

He may not have the same offensive ceiling as Manny, but getting a usable 99-rated player without a major grind makes Young very difficult to ignore.

Quick Comparison

Who Should You Chase First?

For pure lineup impact, Manny Ramirez is the obvious choice. His offensive ceiling is too high to ignore, especially if you need a dangerous bat in the middle of your lineup.

For value, Michael Young comes first. He's easy to obtain and gives you another quality infield option without requiring a major investment.

Sabathia should move up your list if you need a left-handed starter. Wright and Dozier are more dependent on your current roster, while Sogard is worth completing while you're already working through the Spotlight content.

I'd also avoid overpaying for Manny just because the card is popular. Boss prices can be inflated when demand is at its highest, so patience may save you plenty of stubs.

Manny has the highest ceiling. Michael Young has the best value. The better choice depends on what your lineup actually needs.

The U4GM Team