As the community looks ahead to MLB The Show 26, speculation is already running wild—even though, as of today, no credible leaks or official details have surfaced.

And while not every point is universally agreed upon, most of Mazique’s suggestions are rooted in long-standing community desires. Given his experience covering sports gaming, his perspective warrants attention.

Below, we break down the article’s proposals, add context, and evaluate which improvements would make the biggest impact in MLB The Show 26.

1. Bring Back Carryover Saves and Carryover Rosters

For years, carryover saves were a staple feature of MLB The Show’s franchise ecosystem. Their removal has left franchise loyalists frustrated, especially those who have invested months (or even years) in meticulously crafted franchise universes.

Mazique argues that bringing back carryover saves and rosters would revitalize long-term franchise engagement. Even a workaround—such as a web-based tool to import or export CSV rosters—would soften the blow for content creators who rebuild custom universes every year.

While not everyone plays franchise mode, this feature affects anyone who values customization and long-term progression. The inability to carry a beloved save into the next iteration of the game remains one of the single biggest barriers preventing many offline players from fully committing to franchise mode.

2. True Expansion Teams—Not Workarounds

Expansion is a hot topic in real-world baseball, and MLB The Show’s franchise mode should mirror that evolution. Mazique pushes for a complete and official expansion system:

• Expansion drafts

• Minor league affiliates

• Balanced schedules

• Realignment support

Right now, players must use various workarounds to simulate expansion clubs. A fully integrated expansion system would create a more immersive, narrative-driven franchise experience—letting players rewrite MLB history by adding new teams wherever they choose.

There remains lingering speculation that MLB itself might restrict SDS from going too far beyond the real league structure. But if permitted, a fully supported expansion would be one of the most transformative additions franchise mode has ever received.

3. Custom Realignment

In line with expansion, Mazique calls for complete division and league realignment tools. Players should be able to reshape MLB however they choose—whether that means mirroring potential real-world changes or building a completely fictional MLB landscape.

The theme is clear: franchise mode needs more freedom, not less. Realignment tools encourage narrative building, dynasty creation, and long-term creativity—everything franchise mode should embody.

4. Diamond Dynasty: Platoon Lineups

Mazique suggests reintroducing dedicated vs. Left and vs. Right platoon lineups in Diamond Dynasty—something MLB The Show used to support.

This feature brings clear pros and cons:

Pros:

• More strategic lineup building

• Less reliance on switch hitters

• Added value for platoon-dominant cards

Cons:

• More opener usage in competitive play

• Increased in-game pitching swaps

• Potential imbalance for casual matchmaking

Ultimately, Diamond Dynasty is a fantasy-focused, arcade-influenced mode. Realism is valuable, but only when it doesn’t undercut accessibility or pacing. The community is split on this idea for good reason.

5. A Salary-Cap Ranked Mode

This may be the most valuable idea on the list. By mid-season, Diamond Dynasty rosters typically homogenize into lineups filled with 99-overall superstars. A salary-cap mode—similar to structures used in SDS’s official tournaments—would:

• Enforce roster restrictions

• Increase the value of mid-tier cards

• Encourage creative teambuilding

• Extend card viability throughout the year

This could exist as a separate playlist inside ranked, much like competitive ladders in Pokémon: one unrestricted format and one regulated format.

The result? More variety, more strategy, and far more meaningful card progression.

6. Staggered Monthly Legend Reveals

Currently, SDS frontloads its annual Legends marketing push before launch—because it works. Big names drive excitement. But Mazique proposes a staggered release calendar for new legends, tying reveals to major baseball dates like:

• Opening Day

• All-Star Weekend

• Hall of Fame Induction Week

This structure would maintain hype throughout the year while still allowing for a massive pre-launch reveal.

The most realistic compromise: reveal the majority early, but keep a handful of meaningful names secret until mid-season.

7. Home Run Frenzy Mini-Game (Bring Back “King of the Diamond”)

Mazique suggests an arcade-style home run target mode—similar to The Bigs—complete with stadium-specific challenges and distance multipliers.

But longtime fans know MLB The Show had something even better: King of the Diamond, a beloved mini-game from the PS2 era. The mode blended arcade scoring, skill challenges, and casual competition. It was simple, addictive, and memorable.

Reintroducing King of the Diamond—updated with modern visuals and tied into programs—would be an instant win for casual and hardcore players alike.

8. A True Next-Gen Visual Leap

Compared to contemporary sports titles like NBA 2K, Madden, or even WWE 2K, MLB The Show lags in:

• Lighting

• Crowd rendering

• Environmental detail

• Shader quality

Mazique argues that with the rumored Switch 2 increasing the hardware floor, MLB The Show 26 has an opportunity to make its largest graphical jump to date.

However, performance concerns remain valid. Even current visuals can cause noticeable frame drops—especially in stadiums with massive crowds. A visual overhaul means nothing if it compromises gameplay performance.

Still, for offline players, a next-gen leap could dramatically improve immersion.

9. True Player-to-Player Physics

This includes everything from:

• Realistic tag/contact animations

• Sliding collisions

• Outfielders bumping during converging routes

• Ricochets off body parts

The Show’s current animation system frequently produces clipping—hands through legs, gloves through torsos, etc. Introducing real collision physics would lead to more life-like animations and fewer immersion-breaking moments.

This is an ambitious ask, but it’s one with massive upside.

10. The Big Picture: What Fans Want From MLB The Show 26

Mazique’s wishlist hits on key improvements spanning all major modes:

• Franchise: freedom, longevity, and customization

• Diamond Dynasty: roster diversity and arcade fun

• Presentation: modernization and immersion

• Gameplay: realism without sacrificing fantasy excitement

While none of these features are confirmed, they reflect what many dedicated fans have been requesting for years.

MLB The Show 25 provided a stable foundation but lacked long-term freshness. If SDS implements even half of the ideas outlined above, MLB The Show 26 could represent the franchise’s biggest leap forward in a decade.

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