MLB The Show 26 Best Cards Tier List in June | GOAT, Very Good & Platoon Only
MLB The Show 26 is a globally popular baseball game that incorporates many real-life players, transforming them into cards for players to choose and use. Today, based on the latest card information in June, I'll compile a list of some of the strongest cards currently available.
GOAT Tier
First up is GOAT Tier. Cards in this tier have no particularly glaring weaknesses and possess the dominance to change the course of a game.
No.1 Miguel Cabrera
He's one of the newly released MLB The Show 26 players from April. He boasts top-tier Contact and Clutch, solid Power, and consistent Swing. However, he's slightly disadvantaged in right-handed matchups against right-handed pitchers, and his defensive range is average. Miguel is GOAT Tier goaltender; while other players may perform better, Miguel himself is absolutely competent. His high Clutch rating makes him incredibly effective when there are players in scoring position.
I recommend placing him at third base or DH, avoiding positions requiring extensive movement. He doesn't heavily rely on mods, but adding a Fielding Mod can improve his defense.
No.2 Elly De La Cruz
He's a switch hitter with a 99 arm strength. On Legend difficulty, he can score over 440 runs. With Speed Fielding Mod, his defensive range is incredibly wide, allowing him to catch almost any pitch.
However, his vision is limited, and his contact is average. While controversial, this isn't crucial for high-level players.
No.3 Yordan Alvarez
His contact is a whopping 118 (with Contact Mod) - one of the highest in MLB The Show 26. His swing is highly popular. He can be played as a left fielder and a Designated Hitter. His drawbacks are that he's not a switch hitter, his defensive speed is slower, and his outfield defense is weaker.
Yordan is currently the best DH. With mods, his batting coverage is excellent. Every year, everyone loves Yorkan's swing feel; in a meta where left-handed hitters are scarce, he's one of the few truly effective left-handed hitters. Putting him in DH lineup puts pressure on opponents.
Related: MLB The Show 26 Only New Threads Cards Worth Your Time
Very Good Tier
Next are some players I consider very good. Their stats might not be as high as the top players above, but they still perform well in MLB 26.
No.1 Josh Bell
Josh Bell performs exceptionally well at this level. His contact is solid, and although his power isn't particularly strong, his swing is smooth and powerful. He's also a switch-hitting first baseman, performing well even without mods. I see him frequently on many teams. While not a top-tier player in this meta, he's definitely a popular choice.
No.2 Ian Happ
Also a switch hitter, his stats aren't outstanding, but they're not bad either. Given his switch-hitting attributes, he can play outfield and second base, and being a free card, he truly deserves the title of a high-value, versatile utility player. Players can prioritize him when rotating and selecting substitutes.
No.3 Rafael Devers
Rafael Devers' greatest strength is his excellent swing touch, even being listed as one of MLB's 26 best players. However, his defense is average, and he's slow. As for his position, if you trust his touch, place him on third base or Designated Hitter.
No.4 Ted Simmons
He's a switch-hitting catcher. His stats are generally good, reaching 80, with Contact even reaching an astonishing 101. However, under high difficulty or when playing with higher-level players, his non-Perfect-Perfect hits almost never go off the field, often resulting in fly balls for outs.
Objectively speaking, many people like Ted Simmons, but from a practical standpoint, his power hitting is noticeably lacking under high difficulty. While his defense is solid, good hits often fail to clear the wall unless perfectly timed, which is very frustrating.
No.5 Derek Jeter
He's a shortstop with an impressive 105 Contact rating, comparable to a GOAT Tier.
He's also a solid defender with a powerful swing. However, he's not a switch hitter, and speed is a weakness, so he's only a top choice for those who prioritize consistent base-running over home runs.
No.6 Francisco Lindor
He's also a shortstop in MLB 26, and a switch hitter at that, with a balanced offense and defense. His only weakness is the lack of a standout ability. Lindor is a reliable and consistent shortstop with well-rounded skills, making him a Very Good Tier. If you don't want to risk using Elly, Lindor is the safest option.
Platoon Only Tier – Bryce Harper
Finally, I'd like to recommend another Platoon Only Tier card – Bryce Harper. He's clearly ahead of everyone else in this tier. His swing is extremely fast and powerful, and his Power and Contact against right-handed pitchers are equally excellent. Many players use him in their starting lineups, and his hitting performance is explosive. If you need a dedicated right-handed Platoon outfielder or DH, Harper is the top choice.
After analyzing the various cards above, you should know which cards to choose to build your lineup. The strongest core lineup in the current version should be built around GOAT Tier cards, then fill the remaining slots with Very Good Tier cards. Prioritize Switch Hitters, followed by players with high Contact and those who can be paired with mods to improve defense or speed. As long as you adjust your lineup according to this approach, you'll feel an immediate improvement regardless of the difficulty level you face in MLB The Show 26.
