Best Cards to Get First in MLB The Show 26 Weekend Classic Update

The latest Weekend Classic update in MLB The Show 26 has arrived, and it brings one of the strongest content drops of the year. With new Chase Pack rewards, fresh Weekend Classic cards, MLB The Show 26 Stubs, and several elite starting pitchers entering Diamond Dynasty, players suddenly have more lineup and rotation options than ever before.

For No Money Spent (NMS) players and competitive Weekend Classic grinders alike, this update offers multiple cards capable of making an immediate impact. More importantly, it introduces one reward that many players are already targeting as a priority unlock: Jacob Misiorowski.

Here's everything you need to know about the newest content drop and which cards deserve your attention.

A Huge Rotation Upgrade for Diamond Dynasty

One of the biggest themes of this update is pitching.

Normally, content drops introduce a few interesting hitters alongside one or two pitchers worth considering. This time, however, several starting pitchers look capable of becoming permanent fixtures in competitive rotations.

The Chase Pack headline card immediately caught the community's attention thanks to elite velocity and Outlier. Any pitcher with Outlier automatically becomes relevant in online play because of the pressure high-end fastball velocity puts on opposing hitters.

Combined with strong secondary pitches and excellent overall attributes, this card projects as one of the most difficult starters to face in ranked play.

At the same time, players also received several other rotation candidates, including:

Steve Carlton (96 OVR)

Roger Clemens (97 OVR)

Christopher Sanchez (95 OVR)

Jacob Misiorowski (96 OVR)

This level of pitching depth is unusual for a single content release and could significantly reshape the Diamond Dynasty meta.

Weekend Classic Rewards Breakdown

The Weekend Classic reward path offers several intriguing options.

Shawn Figgins (96 OVR)

One of the most interesting cards in the program is Shawn Figgins.

Switch-hitters always hold extra value in Diamond Dynasty because they eliminate difficult same-handed matchups. Figgins combines that advantage with speed, versatility, and strong contact attributes.

Players who value lineup flexibility may find him surprisingly effective, especially in competitive formats where matchup advantages matter.

Steve Carlton (96 OVR)

Steve Carlton may end up being one of the hidden gems of the entire update.

Key strengths include:

117 stamina

99 slider break

Excellent pitch movement

Strong longevity in ranked games

The massive stamina rating means Carlton can work deep into games, while his elite slider movement gives him a legitimate out pitch against both left-handed and right-handed hitters.

Many players overlooked him initially, but his attributes suggest he could become a reliable rotation piece.

Pete Crow-Armstrong (96 OVR)

While the card offers tremendous defense and speed, many competitive players may struggle to justify a lineup spot.

The primary concern is offensive production. Although Crow-Armstrong excels in the field, his hitting profile doesn't stand out compared to other outfield options currently available.

For players prioritizing defense, he remains useful, but he may not crack many top-tier lineups.

Roger Clemens (97 OVR)

Roger Clemens is arguably one of the most dangerous cards introduced in this update.

Elite velocity, excellent pitch mix, and high-end ratings across the board make him an immediate candidate for top rotations.

Many players are already predicting that Clemens will become a staple in Ranked Seasons and Weekend Classic competition.

Rafael Devers (97 OVR)

Devers continues to be one of the most reliable offensive players in Diamond Dynasty.

His swing remains excellent, and his offensive attributes make him a strong option at third base.

While he may not completely redefine the position, he provides exactly what players expect from a high-end Devers card: power, contact, and consistency.

Best May Spotlight Cards

The May Spotlight Program introduces a variety of players, ranging from niche options to genuine lineup contenders.

Miguel Vargas (93 OVR)

Vargas has quietly become one of the most productive players represented in this content drop.

His real-life performance has translated into a solid Diamond Dynasty card featuring balanced offensive attributes and strong versatility.

Players looking for budget-friendly production may find Vargas surprisingly effective.

Jonathan Aranda (93 OVR)

Aranda stands out thanks to his elite contact ratings.

The highlight here is his 125 contact attribute, making him an excellent option for players who prioritize consistent hitting over pure power.

In a game where putting the ball in play remains valuable, Aranda's profile is extremely appealing.

Braxton Ashcraft (93 OVR)

Ashcraft offers an interesting pitching package:

Fastball

Curveball

Slider

Sinker

Splitter

Perhaps most impressive is his exceptional control rating.

Control remains one of the most underrated pitching attributes in MLB The Show 26. Being able to consistently locate pitches often separates good pitchers from great ones.

Ashcraft's command gives him a chance to outperform his overall rating.

Strong Mid-Tier Program Rewards

Several mid-tier rewards also deserve attention.

Byron Buxton (95 OVR)

Buxton remains one of the most exciting players in Diamond Dynasty due to his unique combination of:

Elite speed

Excellent defense

Home run potential

He can impact games in multiple ways and remains valuable throughout the season.

Pete Alonso (95 OVR)

Alonso continues to do exactly what players expect.

Massive power numbers make him a dangerous middle-of-the-order bat capable of changing games with a single swing.

For players seeking raw power production, Alonso remains a strong choice.

Connor Griffin (94 OVR)

Connor Griffin offers tremendous speed and athleticism.

While his power may require additional boosts or captain effects to fully unlock, the foundation is there for a highly effective player.

His speed alone creates value on both offense and defense.

Keibert Ruiz (94 OVR)

Switch-hitting catchers are always valuable.

Ruiz combines positional scarcity with offensive flexibility, making him one of the more appealing catcher options available through this content drop.

Why Jacob Misiorowski Is the Top Priority

Despite all the exciting cards released, one player stands above the rest for many Diamond Dynasty competitors.

Jacob Misiorowski.

The 96 OVR prospect card possesses virtually everything players want in an elite starter.

Key Attributes

Outlier on multiple pitches

Cutter included in repertoire

111 clutch

Strong control

Elite velocity

The combination of Outlier and a cutter immediately makes him difficult to face.

Velocity alone is powerful in MLB The Show, but when paired with a cutter that moves in a different direction than the fastball, hitters must constantly adjust timing and PCI placement.

This creates one of the most frustrating pitching profiles in the game.

Competitive Potential

Misiorowski projects as a legitimate top-of-the-rotation starter.

Many players are already planning to insert him directly into their ranked rotations, and early impressions suggest he could remain relevant for a long time.

For No Money Spent players, unlocking him quickly should be a major objective.

Christopher Sanchez: The Sleeper Rotation Piece

While Misiorowski has received most of the attention, Christopher Sanchez may be one of the most underrated pitchers released.

His pitch mix and movement profile make him difficult to square up consistently.

The only noticeable weakness is his cutter, which lacks the effectiveness of his other offerings.

Even with that limitation, Sanchez possesses enough strengths to function as a quality rotation option for players who prefer command and movement over pure velocity.

Completing Extreme Moments

The update also introduces new Extreme Moments, which continue the tradition of testing player patience and skill.

Some moments require:

Multi-hit performances

Home runs

High run totals

Difficult offensive challenges

As always, Extreme Moments can feel frustrating due to perfect-perfect outs, diving catches, and unlucky defensive plays.

However, experienced players often discover that patience is the key.

Several moments that initially appear impossible can actually be completed relatively quickly with good plate discipline and a bit of luck.

One common strategy is to focus on:

Waiting for pitches over the middle of the plate.

Avoiding early swings.

Prioritizing contact over power.

Restarting immediately after poor openings.

Following these principles dramatically improves completion rates.

Efficient Program Progression

After completing moments, players should shift attention toward missions.

Some of the most efficient objectives include:

Parallel XP Missions

Accumulating Parallel XP remains one of the fastest ways to progress through the reward path.

Using newly acquired Spotlight and Topps Now players simultaneously allows progress toward multiple objectives at once buy MLB 26 Stubs.

Spotlight Player Missions

Building a lineup around Spotlight cards creates efficient mission stacking.

Rather than grinding objectives separately, players can complete multiple missions in a single game.

Weekend Classic Participation

Weekend Classic games provide both competitive rewards and program advancement.

Even players who aren't focused on high rankings can earn meaningful progress simply by participating consistently.