I’ve played baseball video games since MLB Pennant Race on the PlayStation 1, and I’ve been covering sports titles for nearly two decades. Baseball was my first love, and no game has captured its rhythm and authenticity like MLB The Show 25. The gameplay still hits—pitch/bat battles feel honest, the ball physics make sense, and the ebb and flow of the sport is beautifully intact.
Visually, there’s still room to climb, but The Show 25 stands on one of the strongest foundations in sports gaming. That’s why I believe MLB The Show 26 has the potential to elevate from steady to special. Below are ten key changes that would make it happen on MLB The Show 26 Stubs.
Franchise & Creation Suite: History, Control, and Customization
1. Bring Back Carryover Saves & Carryover Rosters
Franchise mode is the soul of The Show—and it always has been. The removal of carryover saves and rosters was a gut punch to long-term players and the creator community. If technical constraints prevent direct carryovers, the developers could introduce a workaround: a web-based import/export tool for roster files, similar to Madden’s old TeamBuilder. This would allow creators to share CSV-based custom, legend, or fictional rosters without having to start from scratch every year on MLB 26 Stubs for sale.
For those of us who live in Franchise mode, legacy continuity matters. It’s the heartbeat of the mode’s identity.
2. Expansion Teams (A Real Feature, Not Workarounds)
Real MLB expansion talk never dies, so why not simulate it in-game? Imagine adding two new teams, running an expansion draft, assigning minor-league affiliates, and managing an adjusted schedule. It’s complex, sure, but it’s the next natural evolution for Franchise. Sports games have long been about “what ifs,” and nothing captures that better than shaping your own baseball universe from the ground up.