MLB The Show 26: Top 10 Features Fans' Wishlist
The wait for MLB The Show 26 has moved beyond rumor territory and into that familiar pre-reveal phase. The logo is official, a release window is on the horizon, and that alone has reignited the annual cycle of fan speculation. With San Diego Studio (SDS) keeping details under wraps for now, the community has shifted—as it always does—into wishlist mode, dissecting every system, every mode, and every design opportunity the next entry could improve.
For longtime fans, this part of the cycle is almost comforting. After hundreds of hours across multiple years of The Show, players know exactly where the series excels and exactly where untapped potential still exists. Even as the franchise remains the premier baseball simulation on the market, there is a clear sense that MLB The Show 26 could deliver the most meaningful step forward in years.
Across Reddit threads, community forums, and social channels, ten recurring requests emerge as the most important to dedicated players. These are not vague complaints—they are targeted, informed recommendations from a community deeply invested in the game’s future. Below is a breakdown of the most consistent themes and what they signal for SDS as anticipation builds.
1. A True Franchise Mode Overhaul
No request appeared more often—or more passionately—than Franchise improvements. Players want a mode that reflects the real operations of a modern baseball organization, not a streamlined approximation.
The most common community priorities include:
• Year-to-year saves returning
• Accurate minor league roster limits
• Expanded Single-A rosters for injured or developing players
• Dynamic team environments, including position battles and emergency call-ups
• More sophisticated offseason training and progression systems
• Contract logic that reflects player performance and market value
As fans put it, Franchise Mode should feel alive. The core systems work, but players want depth, friction, and the kind of micro-management that defines real baseball front offices.
2. Server Stability and Co-Op Reliability
Online issues are an annual frustration, but the demand for improvement has reached a new level. Community feedback centered on:
• Co-op freezes
• Disconnects during Ranked games
• Menu UI bugs
• Timing windows fluctuating due to latency
For competitive players, stability is not a “nice to have”—it is the baseline expectation. Many view these fixes as the highest-priority requirement for MLB The Show 26.
3. A Dedicated World Baseball Classic Mode
Fans continue to view the absence of an official World Baseball Classic (WBC) as a missed opportunity. Requests include:
• A full WBC game mode with national teams
• Early Diamond Dynasty programs themed around WBC players and countries
• Region-based challenges and rewards
The appeal is obvious: global participation, national pride, and a unique structure that differs from traditional MLB play.
4. A PC Version—Preferably Through PC Game Pass
Few topics sparked as much discussion as a potential PC release. The logic is straightforward:
• The game is already available via Xbox Game Pass.
• Other leading sports titles have moved to PC.
• PC Game Pass users feel left out of a growing multi-platform ecosystem.
Players are no longer asking if a PC version should happen. They’re asking why it hasn’t already.
5. Gameplay and Batting Balance Refinements
While core gameplay remains strong, the community sees room for a more authentic baseball rhythm.
Key areas highlighted include:
• Home runs dominate scoring disproportionately
• Singles, doubles, and baserunning pressure feel underrepresented
• Outfields playing “too small” with repetitive ball-in-play outcomes
• Too many well-timed swings resulting in lineouts
Fans want variety—not arcade chaos, but a model that better reflects the balance of real MLB action.
6. A More Complete Legends Roster
The lack of certain iconic players continues to frustrate fans. The most commonly cited names include:
• Ichiro Suzuki
• Albert Pujols
• Additional franchise-defining stars still missing from the roster
At the same time, community discussions show a growing understanding of the licensing challenges involved. Many retired players are no longer covered by MLBPA group licensing, meaning SDS must secure individual agreements. Even so, the push for a more robust Legends pool remains strong.
7. Improved Program and PXP Tracking
Grinding programs remain a core part of the Diamond Dynasty experience, yet progress tracking continues to lag behind player expectations.
Frequent requests include:
• Real-time in-game updates for missions
• Cleaner and more transparent post-game summaries
• PXP that rewards defensive events such as diving catches, perfect throws, and home-run robberies
For many, the current system feels slow and unclear—two issues SDS can address with UI improvements.
8. A Rework of Weekend Classic
Weekend Classic is widely viewed as a promising mode still held back by structural issues.
Community feedback focused on:
• Rank fluctuation during the event
• Drastic leaderboard movement late in the cycle
• Reward structures that incentivize safe play over competitive risk-taking
In short, players want competitiveness rewarded cleanly and consistently.
9. Better Graphics and Presentation
Even fans who prioritize gameplay offered suggestions for presentation upgrades. These included:
• Improved grass textures and outfield wall details
• More stadium atmosphere variety
• Enhanced broadcast packages
• Better music curation
• Real-time statistic overlays that update with authentic MLB pacing
Visual immersion is not the top priority for the community, but it remains a core element of long-term engagement.
10. Diamond Dynasty Quality-of-Life Upgrades
Diamond Dynasty remains the centerpiece of The Show, and players want usability refined—not more feature bloat.
Common requests include:
• Theme teams based on franchise history
• Smarter squad-building filters
• Clearer captain boost explanations
• Evolution-style cards that grow through gameplay
These additions would deepen engagement without expanding complexity.
Final Thoughts: A Roadmap Written by the Community
Until San Diego Studio formally unveils the game’s feature slate, the MLB The Show 26 wishlist serves as an early roadmap—a detailed, thoughtful one shaped by players who love the series and understand its systems at a granular level. Hopefully this will help you accumulate more MLB The Show 26 Stubs and win more games.
This is not noise. It is intent. The community sees a path forward, and if SDS chooses to follow even part of it, MLB The Show 26 could represent one of the most meaningful leaps the franchise has seen in years.
MMOexp MLB 26 Team