Bear Down in MLB The Show 26: Everything You Need to Know About Pitching System

Weekend Classic of MLB The Show 26 Diamond Dynasty, which began on August 28th, has recently seen a very obvious pitching trend: the use of circle changes is increasing significantly, and it's especially difficult to handle on Legend difficulty. In a single Weekend Classic game, opponents might throw 84 out of 100 pitches as circle changes.

The main problem is that the actual intensity of circle changes clearly exceeds their normal placement in regular pitch mixes, making them very difficult to deal with.

EZG will now explain why Weekend Classic is being used so frequently by players and how to counter this new meta in MLB The Show 26 Diamond Dynasty.

Meta

In MLB The Show 26, the biggest advantage of circle changes is that they simultaneously alter the hitting rhythm and PCI control requirements. Legend difficulty itself demands more precise PCI control, and the hitting window is more demanding.

While fastballs require quick reactions, circle changes require precise timing of the swing. When fastballs and circle changes are mixed, batters need to constantly adjust their timing.

If the pitcher starts reducing fastballs or uses circle changes consecutively, the overall hitting rhythm will be significantly slowed down.

More importantly, in MLB 26 Weekend Classic, even if the batter anticipates the opponent might continue throwing circle changes, it doesn't mean the pitch is easy to handle. This is what makes it unique: reading the pitch doesn't necessarily translate to a corresponding advantage.

Normally, the pitcher changes their attack method using different pitches like fastballs, sliders, changeups, and curveballs, while the batter judges the next pitch based on the pitcher's motion, pitch speed, and trajectory. Theoretically, if the same pitch is used consecutively, the batter should be able to gain a greater hitting advantage through anticipation.

However, circle changes currently create continuous timing pressure at MLB 26 Legend level. Even if the batter prepares for a slowball in advance, they might still encounter timing problems due to hitting too early; if they choose to wait, they might miss fastballs or other suitable pitches to hit. This reduces the strategic flexibility that Pitch Mix should offer.

This disparity is particularly pronounced in Weekend Classic games. Against pitchers who frequently use circle changes, games easily devolve into offense and defense revolving around slow-pitch timing. The consistently high usage rate of a particular pitch in MLB The Show 26 ultimately affects not only the strength of that card but also the strategic gameplay inherent in the entire mode.

Pitcher

The dominance of circle changes directly affects current pitcher selection. In the challenging environments of MLB The Show 26 Weekend Classic and Ranked modes, pitchers with excellent breaking balls, consistent control, and the ability to consistently influence batter timing are more valuable.

Jonathan Broxton's fastball can reach a maximum of 103 MPH, disrupting batting rhythm with extremely high speed, but he is not a must-have pitcher in the current MLB 26 meta. 

CC and Trevor Hoffman have recently gained more attention, leading to a greater demand for MLB 26 stubs, largely because of their ability to constantly alter the hitting rhythm with breaking balls.

The significant speed difference between a fastball and a circle change is particularly important. Fastballs create pressure for quick reactions, while circle changes force batters to extend their waiting time; the combination of both makes timing judgment much more difficult.

How to Counter?

In MLB The Show 26, facing a circle change isn't simply about improving reaction speed, but readjusting your timing. Even if you know your opponent likes to throw circle changes, don't prepare for every pitch as a slowball.

Because once a fixed anticipation is established, your opponent can easily create a greater timing difference by changing their pitching rhythm using MLB 26 fastballs or other pitches.

Besides the pitch type, pitching position is also crucial. If circle changes frequently land deep in the strike zone, prioritize PCI contact quality rather than striving for a perfect-perfect.

Especially after two hits, it's crucial not to over-pitch just because you've missed a few slow balls. Otherwise, you'll easily lose your hitting rhythm while waiting for the next breaking ball.

The most common problem with circle changes is impatience. After several missed pitches, players often instinctively swing prematurely, only to be further outpaced by slower balls. Maintaining a consistent hitting rhythm is more important than simply guessing what the next ball will be.

If your opponent has been using circle changes extensively, you can narrow your anticipation range, focusing your attention on their most frequently used pitching area while preserving space to react to fastballs.

The goal isn't to completely predict the next ball, but to reduce the impact of circle changes while avoiding losing your ability to handle other pitches in MLB 26 because of over-anticipation.

The current Weekend Classic has proven that pitchers who can control the batter's timing in MLB The Show 26 are gaining increasing competitive value. From a broader perspective, the circle change trend in Weekend Classic is also worth noting for MLB The Show 26 development team.

If a pitch type can maintain extremely high usage for an extended period and continue to generate significant timing pressure even when identified early, then the issue is no longer simply that a particular pitcher or card is too strong; rather, it indicates a shift in the balance of the pitch mix itself.

MLB The Show 26 packed Diamond Dynasty with a ton of new content this weekend, and the most anticipated addition is undoubtedly the newly launched 7th Inning XP Reward Path.

Manny Ramirez and David Wright are the two 99 OVR cards in this inning, while Brian Dozier and CC Sabathia also join XP Reward Path.

Meanwhile, Weekend Classic 6 brings Pedro Martinez, Eddie Murray, and Jimmy Rollins, and the new Cornerstone Program, August Spotlight content, and Lightning Collection update have each received new high-rated players.

This update isn't just about adding a few more 99 cards. Whether you're primarily focused on solo programs, ranked play, or pushing Spotlight Collection, there are new goals to pursue this weekend.

7th Inning XP Reward Path

With the opening of 7th Inning XP Reward Path, players have a new reward path to advance this weekend.

Players can now earn XP and progress through Reward Path in various modes, earning Packs, MLB The Show 26 Stubs, and exclusive player cards along the way. Two notable mid-path rewards are 99 OVR Prime Series Brian Dozier and 99 OVR Milestone Series CC Sabathia.

Brian Dozier appears as a Minnesota Twins second baseman, while CC Sabathia is a New York Yankees starting pitcher. Even before reaching Choice Pack, the path already gives you two usable 99 OVR cards.

Upon completing sufficient progress, players can obtain 7th Inning XP Reward Path Choice Pack and choose between two 99 OVR cards: New York Mets third baseman Awards Series David Wright, and Boston Red Sox left fielder Milestone Series Manny Ramirez.

If you have a lineup missing a third baseman, David Wright is a good first choice, but if you need more outfield firepower, Manny Ramirez is clearly a better fit.

Weekend Classic 6

Weekend Classic 6 has officially started with this update. The games are still played in Ranked mode, where the system matches players with similar skill levels based on their Ranked Rating, using 1v1 Solo matches.

Your wins in the first six games will affect your ranking in this round of Weekend Classic. After completing the first six games, you can continue to participate and climb higher on Leaderboard.

This time, you can also get two 99 OVR player cards: Awards Series Eddie Murray and Milestone Series Pedro Martinez. Eddie Murray is the first baseman for Los Angeles Dodgers, while Pedro Martinez is the starting pitcher for Boston Red Sox.

If you continue to climb higher on Leaderboard, the final player waiting for MLB 26 players is 99 OVR Prime Series Jimmy Rollins. This Jimmy Rollins card represents Philadelphia Phillies at shortstop. The combination of a 99 OVR, the shortstop position, and Leaderboard-exclusive availability makes him one of the most desirable rewards in Weekend Classic 6.

Cornerstone Program

This MLB 26 update also introduces the new Cornerstone Program, featuring Michael Young.

Players can find this questline in Assorted Programs. By completing Moments and Missions designed around Michael Young's career, players can progress and ultimately obtain 99 OVR Cornerstone Series Michael Young.

Compared to Weekend Classic, which relies more on online performance, this Michael Young card has a relatively clear program acquisition path, giving players who don't play high-intensity ranked games another 99 OVR option.

August Spotlight - Drop 3

August Spotlight Program - Drop 3 also brings a new batch of MLB 26 recent performance cards, including 99 OVR Nick Sogard, and 97 OVR Alec Bohm and Matt Wilkinson. Players can earn these cards by progressing through Drop 3 Program.

Nick Sogard is the second baseman for Boston Red Sox, Alec Bohm is the third baseman for Philadelphia Phillies, and Matt Wilkinson is the starting pitcher for San Francisco Giants.

Drop 3 also adds a new August Spotlight Pack. The two new 99 OVR cards are Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom and Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena, along with 97 OVR cards Willy Adames, Jake Rogers, and Hector Rodriguez.

If you've already completed the first two Spotlight Programs, Drop 3 allows you to continue advancing your August Lightning Collection.

Collecting Spotlight Series cards Angel Genao, Gunnar Henderson, and Nick Sogard unlocks 99 OVR Milestone Series JJ Bleday.

That makes Drop 3 more valuable than a simple batch of new cards. Nick Sogard is already part of Lightning Collection, and players who have completed the first two Spotlight events can also unlock 99 OVR JJ Bleday at the same time.

Chase Pack 24 Adds 99 OVR Smith

This update also introduces the new Chase Pack 24, featuring 99 OVR Awards Series Ozzie Smith. Players can obtain Chase Pack 24 through several methods.

These include the reward wheel in 7th Inning XP Reward Path, while The Show 50-Pack Bundle also comes with a Chase Pack 24. Additionally, there's a chance to obtain a Chase Pack when opening the regular The Show Pack.

With the official launch of 7th Inning XP Reward Path, MLB 26's Diamond Dynasty enters a new roster upgrade cycle. With so many 99 OVR cards arriving at once, competition for roster spots will only get tighter, while players also have more options when building their lineups.

Recently, MLB The Show 26 added a brand new conquest map to its Diamond Dynasty mode. This map's shape resembles a shark, hence its nickname Shark Map among players.

Matching its amusing appearance is the generous reward it offers - XP, card packs, Stubs, etc. Some players have even earned hundreds of thousands of Stubs overnight by opening various reward card packs.

Below, I will provide a detailed introduction to this map and its rewards, along with some tips for playing it.

Shark Conquest Map Introduction

In MLB 26, there's a popular turn-based strategy game mode - Conquest. It's a Monopoly-like game mode that combines baseball and board games.

Players start with a small territory on various conquest maps and participate in various matches to gradually expand their territory and eventually capture all strongholds.

During matches, you can acquire a number of followers - these are equivalent to troops. You need to allocate these followers to different squares for attack or defense.

The number of fans on attacking and defending sides determines difficulty level you can choose - the greater the fan advantage, the easier the match, and vice versa.

Shark Conquest Map is the latest special map introduced in Conquest mode. Its uniqueness lies not only in its shark-like shape but also in its generous rewards.

Unlike regular maps, Shark Conquest Map hides numerous rewards in non-base tiles, automatically unlocking as players expand their territory.

More importantly, after completing map, players can reset it and re-challenge it to repeatedly obtain rewards.

Therefore, Shark Conquest Map is an absolute must-play map - whether you're looking to farm player cards or stubs, you can easily find them on this map.

Map Rewards

Like other maps in MLB 26, Shark Conquest Map's rewards are divided into three categories: Main Goal Rewards, Hidden Rewards, and Repeatable Rewards.

Main Goal Rewards

First, completing main objective on map rewards players with a total of 5,000 XP, but this isn't particularly valuable for players who have already completed the current Inning Program.

More valuable are various player card packs - especially Premier Pipeline Pack.

Pipeline series of player cards was recently added to the game. Unlike other player cards themed around famous players, Pipeline series focuses on top-tier rookie players who haven't yet become superstars but already have a certain level of fame and achievement, such as Joshua Báez and Max Clark.

This set of cards has excellent stats and a unique theme, making it highly collectible. Furthermore, players can earn even more generous rewards after collecting a certain number of Pipeline series player cards.

Therefore, players who haven't yet collected all Pipeline series player cards can farm them using Shark Conquest Map.

In addition, the main rewards for this map include Vault Choice Pack, 2026 All-Star Night Choice Pack, Home Run Derby Choice Pack, Ultra Choice Pack, and Chase Pack 21.

Hidden Rewards

Shark Conquest Map also hides hidden rewards within the regular territory tiles.

According to feedback from the player community, hidden rewards typically include various card packs such as Headliners Pack, Ballin' is a Habit Pack, and The Show Pack.

However, in the late game of MLB 26, the value of opening the regular The Show Pack is very limited and not worth paying special attention to.

Repeatable Rewards

After completing the entire map, players can reset and complete it again to obtain repeatable rewards.

Known repeatable rewards include 5,000 XP that can be used to advance the current Inning Program and Premier Pipeline Pack mentioned above.

In addition, some player card packs can be obtained repeatedly. If you have enough time and patience, you can repeatedly farm this map to obtain MLB 26 Stubs and player cards.

Recommendations

Before you start farming this map, please keep the following suggestions in mind:

Plan XP Collection Time Wisely

Players who haven't completed Inning Program can quickly accumulate XP by farming this map.

However, if you've already completed current Inning Program, you can hold off on collecting XP until the next Inning Program starts, allowing you to quickly claim rewards.

Temporarily Hold Onto High-Value Cards

If you don't urgently need Stubs, you can temporarily hold onto high-value tradable cards obtained from reward packs.

Because many players are currently farming this map, the market for these cards, which could otherwise fetch high prices, is temporarily saturated, resulting in lower prices.

Based on past MLB 26 events, you can earn more by selling these cards after the event hype dies down and the market returns to normal.

Purchase Player Cards

Similarly, you can also take advantage of this opportunity to purchase some previously acquired player cards at low prices. For example, Adrian Beltre from Chase Pack 21, and Yamamoto and Dylan Cease from 2026 All-Star Night Choice Pack.

These high-value cards have seen a temporary price drop due to generous rewards of Shark Conquest Map. If you haven't collected them yet, now is the best time to get them.

In short, Shark Conquest Map is one of the most worthwhile events in MLB The Show 26 recently to farm various game resources. Whether you're a competitive player focused on strong team compositions or a savvy market player, you shouldn't miss this map.

Sony has announced its September 2026 PlayStation Plus game lineup, and for baseball fans, the most anticipated title this month is undoubtedly MLB The Show 26. The game will be available on PS+ on September 1st, and PS5 members can claim it immediately.

If you've been wanting to try MLB The Show 26 but haven't quite jumped in yet, this is a great opportunity. This installment not only enhances the series' signature realistic gameplay experience but also focuses more on career progression and roster development.

More importantly, PS+ members get more than just the base game. Sony is also providing a special Jump Start Bundle, offering initial resources for Road To The Show and Diamond Dynasty. For first-time MLB 26 players, starting from scratch after September 1st will be significantly easier.

Enhanced Immersion

MLB 26 doesn't drastically change the core gameplay; the focus is on refining the existing elements.

The newly added stadium effects allow the stadium to accommodate adjustments and functional expansions across multiple modes, further resembling realistic MLB matches in terms of field conditions, environment, and overall presentation.

For players familiar with previous installments, these changes may not provide the same immediate sense of novelty, but they certainly make the entire game feel more complete.

After all, what truly makes MLB The Show series so engaging for long-term play isn't just hitting, pitching, and base running. Player abilities, game strategies, stadium environments, combined with career progression and lineup building, ultimately create a complete baseball experience.

MLB 26 clearly continues in this direction. Players who enjoy single-player progression can continue to dive into Road To The Show, while those who prefer collecting players and adjusting lineups will still primarily choose Diamond Dynasty.

Road To The Show Expansion

Road To The Show remains the most suitable mode in MLB 26 for experiencing player development, and this time, more content has been added to the early career phase.

Players still need to start by creating a player and progress step-by-step towards MLB, but this year there are several more clearly defined growth milestones before officially entering the professional league.

Besides competing for an MLB Draft Combine spot, the game adds 11 new college teams, making the college stage more prominent throughout the professional career.

Players' performance during this stage will influence team and scout evaluations, and also affect their draft prospects. Compared to the past, which focused more on "when to enter MLB," this year's Road To The Show dedicates more time to the pre-draft development process.

This makes the entire path from college games, Draft Combine, to finally entering the professional league more seamless. For players who prefer solo development, this part is also more worthwhile to experience at a leisurely pace.

For players with a fixed roster, this change will also lead to more frequent adjustments later on.

Positions that were previously sufficient may be reshuffled because of a new Red Diamond, while some collections that were previously low priority may become worthwhile to upgrade because of the final reward.

New Red Diamonds

Diamond Dynasty has added new Red Diamond player cards. These cards have appeared multiple times before and will be available in several series, including World Baseball Classic, 2026 All-Star Game, and Pipeline Series.

For long-time Diamond Dynasty players, Red Diamonds will naturally become a new collection goal. Especially after a team is largely established, subsequent activities like farming events, completing collections, or further strengthening the team will revolve around these new cards.

Diamond Dynasty already allows players to assemble MLB players from different eras, gradually building their dream team.

With the addition of these new Red Diamonds, whether a new card is worth pursuing, whether it fills a position in the team, and whether it suits your playing style will all influence the order in which players collect cards and strengthen their teams, as well as how to spend MLB The Show 26 Stubs most efficiently.

Furthermore, Red Diamonds won't only affect top-tier teams. As these cards gradually spread across different Series, players may need to go back and collect previously uncollected cards to complete collections or pursue specific target cards.

In this way, the new Red Diamond feels more like extending the original collection path further than simply adding a higher rarity card to the existing card pool.

PS+ Membership Bundle

PS+ members receive MLB 26 and a limited-time Jump Start Bundle, providing initial resources for Road To The Show and Diamond Dynasty. This can slightly alleviate the early-game pressure for first-time players, at least preventing them from starting with an empty inventory.

However, this type of bundle is more suitable for solving the initial startup problem. After entering Diamond Dynasty, the actual difference in team composition comes from subsequent card acquisition, Collection progress, and Stubs allocation, so it's more like a beginner's aid than directly helping players skip the entire development process.

With MLB The Show 26 arriving on PS+ and more Diamond Dynasty content still ahead, follow EZG Facebook for the latest updates and Player's Choice Giveaways, and @ your friends or followers who might want to jump in with you.

MLB 26 will officially join PlayStation Plus September 2026 lineup for PS5 platform on September 1st. Whether you want to experience Road To The Show professional career or start building your team from Diamond Dynasty, this PS+ offer is an excellent opportunity to get started.

Especially for players who had been observing the market, the cost barrier has been significantly lowered this time. Experiencing all the main modes on PS+ first, and then deciding whether they prefer to spend time on single-player progression or long-term management of Diamond Dynasty, is much easier than getting it directly and then slowly trying it out.

Today I'm going to introduce an underrated card: Jeff McNeil. This Spotlight card costs around 20,000 stubs, but his performance in the game makes him feel like a millionaire.

His swing is incredibly fluid, his batting average is top-notch, and he's versatile defensively. You can place him on second base, first base, or even fill in as an outfielder when needed.

This article will introduce you to the best value Spotlight card in MLB 26 - Jeff McNeil card. Let's take a look.

Impressive Batting Stats

Jeff McNeil boasts a 120 batting average against right-handed pitchers and 116 against left-handed pitchers, meaning he can almost consistently hit the ball into the field, handling any pitcher with ease.

Furthermore, his power rating is over 80 with both hands, meaning he's not just a light hitter; he can also hit the ball into open outfield and even hit a home run.

Therefore, these batting statistics show that he is a high-quality hitter who rarely strikes out and can hit long balls to his opponents.

Defensive Flexibility and Positioning

Jeff McNeil is capable of playing multiple positions without hindering your team. His primary position in MLB The Show 26 is second base, where he can complete regular defense and cleanly complete double plays. If you already have a star second baseman, you can move him to first base to strengthen your team's defense.

Of course, if you need a powerful hitter and are willing to sacrifice some defensive range, you can also try having him as left fielder. This positional flexibility is very rare among player cards at this price point, providing you with lineup building options that most low-priced player cards lack.

Swing and Feel

McNeil's most valuable asset lies in his swing and accurate judgment of the ball. This card has a fast, compact, and extremely fast swing, allowing him to effectively time his hits on fastballs and breaking balls. Even with a slightly late hit, his swing trajectory ensures the ball lands in fair play.

Performance in Ranked Seasons and Higher Difficulties

Players' concerns about a low-priced card worth 20,000 MLB 26 Stubs are whether it can remain competitive in higher difficulties like Hall of Fame or Legendary. Based on testing, I believe McNeil absolutely can.

His extremely high batting average results in a smaller shrinkage of the outside PCI (bat zone) compared to most cards, giving you more room for error against top pitchers. His power of over 80 is enough to capitalize on opponent errors, and his swing window is quite generous, crucial against tricky fastballs and sharp breaking balls.

He has hit home runs against top pitchers like Dustin May and Seth Hernandez, proving he's not just a card for offline play or lower-level games. In ranked seasons, he's a true weapon you can rely on.

Consistency

Ethan Holliday, a recent favorite among players, suffers from decreased vision and shorter hitting distance on Legendary difficulty, but Jeff McNeil doesn't have this problem. His vision is excellent, and his hitting percentage is high; even if you hit the ball too early or too late, you still have a chance to get it into the court.

This consistency sets him apart from some other inexpensive players who may have power but lack consistent hitting ability. In games where strikeouts can kill the offense, having a batter like McNeil is like a safety net, helping you extend your offensive innings.

Why is He Underrated?

The main reason this McNeil card is underrated in MLB The Show 26 is that he doesn't have a big name or a large fan base. Players often focus on big-name stars like Mookie Betts, Fernando Tatis Jr., or Corbin Carroll, ignoring players like Jeff McNeil who don't have much buzz.

But the data doesn't lie. His batting average is extremely high, his power is more than sufficient, and his swing is one of the most agile in the game. In the hands of a skilled player, McNeil can perform like a 99OVR card, but at a fraction of the price.

I believe that in MLB 26 today, Jeff McNeil is an absolute steal. Player cards with similar batting stats usually cost three to four times as much, and their swing quality and positional flexibility are often inferior.

Therefore, if you have a limited budget, you can build your lineup around him and still have some stubs left for upgrading other players - a win-win situation.

This concludes the detailed introduction of the underrated card Jeff McNeil in MLB The Show 26. He combines top-tier batting averages, above-average power, a unique swing, and all-around defensive capabilities at a very low price.

His performance far exceeds his overall rating, excelling even on challenging pitches and greatly enhancing your lineup's flexibility.

If you want to know more about cost-effective players, follow EZG Facebook. Besides the information you need, we also have occasional resource giveaways to help you build a powerful team. Participating is simple: just tag your friends or fans in the comments section of our Facebook page. Come join us!

McNeil may not be the most famous name, but he plays with superstar flair, which is crucial in Diamond Dynasty mode. So, if you haven't tried him yet, you're definitely missing out on one of the most cost-effective cards in MLB 26. Get him now, add him to your lineup, and see how he dominates the field.

The real priority for investing time in this major Pipeline Series update for MLB The Show 26 is the final collectible reward, Jesús Made.

This card is not only ambidextrous but can also play shortstop, second baseman, and third baseman, boasting very well-rounded fundamentals. For the current Ultimate Team, an infielder with such versatility in hitting, speed, defense, and multiple positions is extremely rare.

So, how can you unlock Jesús Made in the shortest amount of time? The core strategy is simple: get the free cards first, then focus on farming Conquest and Mini Seasons cards, and only consider buying more from the market last.

Low-Cost Pipeline Cards

Before starting the farming mode, check your collection. MLB 26 has already released several Pipeline Series cards, all of which can be added to this collection.

The first is Joshua Báez, from Player Program, which can be obtained by completing a home run-related mission.

The second card is Max Clark, unlocked at 22,000 XP node in sixth XP Path. If you missed it before, you can get it directly from Marketplace.

You can also pick up Pipeline players through August Spotlight content, while George Lombard Jr. is available from a free store pack. Since none of these cards are difficult to get, returning players may already have several of them.

Locking these four cards into your collection is equivalent to completing the early game progress. Then you can consider the approximately 36 cards you actually need to farm.

Choice Pack Cards

Here's a common pitfall: MLB 26 players in different Pipeline card packs are not the same.

Besides providing 5 player cards, Pipeline Program also gives away multiple Pipeline Choice Packs. Each pack allows you to choose three players. These cards are not sold and will not appear in Marketplace.

These players can only be obtained through playing MLB 26 and acquiring Choice Packs; you cannot directly complete the pack by spending Stubs.

Deluxe, Premier, and Ultra Packs form another player pool, with some players available for get directly from Marketplace.

Each pool contains approximately 15 cards, so both sources should be considered when completing your final collection. Prioritize completing free content and Choice Pack initially, leaving Marketplace for later.

Conquest

For MLB 26 players with limited time, Conquest is one of the most worthwhile priorities.

Pipeline Conquest map rewards players with various items, including Deluxe Pack, Choice Pack, and Premier Choice Pack. Completing the entire map grants a No Sell Choice Pack, allowing you to choose three player cards at once. Just completing this first run significantly boosts your collection progress.

This final reward can be obtained repeatedly. If you still need players from Choice Pack that cannot be acquired from Marketplace, you can defeat eight Strongholds again to farm No Sell Choice Pack.

However, there's no need to repeatedly farm Conquest in the early game. Complete the game once to collect all available rewards, then decide whether to return to finish based on your collection gaps. This will save time.

Pipeline Mini Seasons

In MLB 26, Mini Seasons is a more suitable primary farming mode if you want to unlock Jesús Made as quickly as possible.

While Mini Seasons doesn't offer exclusive Pipeline player cards, the mission rewards are plentiful. 20,000 PXP unlocks Ultra Choice Pack, which allows you to directly select Pipeline Ultra Pack.

Additionally, 75 Hits grants Vault Pack, and 100 Hits and other statistic missions reward Deluxe Choice Pack. When farming these objectives, you can advance multiple rewards simultaneously, avoiding spending time on a single card pack.

When farming Mini Seasons, try to use Pipeline Series players as much as possible; this will also help you advance 9,000 PXP goal. If you want to speed things up even further, go to a Custom Stadium suitable for stat farming and appropriately increase the game difficulty to improve PXP acquisition efficiency.

Events and Diamond Quests

Events also offer Pipeline Packs, but if you're only aiming for the few Deluxe Packs after reaching 75 or 100 stars, the time investment might not be worthwhile. For MLB 26 players with limited playtime, it's recommended to prioritize Mini Seasons and Conquests.

Diamond Quests can also be considered later. It also offers a chance to obtain Choice Packs, but the rewards are inconsistent. If you can maintain a high win rate on high difficulties like GOAT, you can farm it; otherwise, Mini Seasons offer more consistent rewards and are better suited for long-term collection.

Unlock Leo De Vries

Pipeline series also includes a very strong Chase Pack player, Leo De Vries. He's also an ambidextrous shortstop, but his current price is high. While My Legacy Program can also get No Sell card, it requires accumulating 250,000 PXP with Pipeline players, which is also a significant time investment.

Fortunately, completing Jesús Made collection doesn't require locking all cards. Stage reward cards also count towards the total, so only 40 cards need to be locked, allowing you to intentionally skip two.

To save as many MLB The Show 26 Stubs as possible, skip Leo De Vries and use your second skip on whichever player is the most expensive on Marketplace at the time. This won't affect unlocking Jesús Made and will significantly reduce the collection cost.

Recommended Acquisition Route

First, acquire the low-cost Pipeline cards, then complete one Pipeline Conquest. After that, focus your time on Mini Seasons while also progressing through PXP and Hits missions.

Once the collection is nearly complete, fill in the gaps by acquiring more cards. Continue acquiring Choice Pack exclusive players through Conquests or PXP and acquire tradable players directly from Marketplace. Leo De Vries and the most expensive card at the time can be skipped initially; use other cards to reach 40 slots.

For the vast majority of MLB 26 players, this is currently the most stable, resource-efficient, and long-term play through for unlocking Jesús Made.

Since card prices and farming options can change, follow EZG Facebook for the latest MLB 26 updates and Player's Choice giveaways, and @ other players to join in.

Considering his versatility, multiple infield positions, top-tier speed, and well-rounded stats after Parallel, this Pipeline Ultimate Reward is definitely worth farming specifically for a complete set.