Ratings are a great way to judge a player’s skill level. The higher the rating, the better the player, right? Yes, for the most part. However, there are always some exceptions to every rule, and similarly, some players perform far beyond their ratings in MLB The Show 26. It isn’t a glitch or error on the game’s part; those players just aren’t buffed regardless of their great performance.
They come in all shapes and sizes. Hitters around the mid-80s who consistently knock the ball out of the park. Or maybe a pitcher that takes out the top batters with ease. But who are these mystery players in MLB The Show 26? That’s what today’s article is about: dedicating a page to recognizing their skills. Let’s get right into it.
Best Hidden Gems Who Play Above Their Ratings
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Byron Baxton (CF) 89 OVR
I’m starting with someone risky, but hear me out first. Byron Baxton is one of the top hitters in MLB The Show 26, and his overall rating reflects that. But his performance on the field isn’t just great, it’s legendary. He consistently finds holes in the opposition’s fielding to snag some easy runs, or simply knocks it out of the stadium for a homerun.
At 89 OVR, you presume players to be above average, but there’s an entire layer of better players above them. In my opinion, Byron Baxton definitely deserves to go above 90 OVR at least. Not only is he amazing on offense, but his defensive stats are some of the best amongst his rating range. To top it all off, he has 99 SPD, making him an extremely well-rounded player.
Corbin Caroll (RF) 85 OVR
We could accept 89 for Byron Baxton, but 85 OVR for Corbin Caroll is straight up criminal. Caroll is a starting RF for the Diamondbacks, and can definitely turn the tide of a game when he has the chance. If you thought Baxton was well-rounded, Caroll features a 90 in Fielding, while also having R-Contact and R-Power at 85 and 88.
But the major aspect of Caroll’s stat spread that I believe helps him stand out is his speed. At 97, he is matched by a few and can easily cover bases, even in clutch moments. Good speed matters a lot in MLB The Show 26, particularly because you can’t always rely on home runs to win you the game, especially with the game having some of the best pitchers available.
Otto Lopez (SS) 78 OVR
High-tier picks are great when you have the budget. Starting in Diamond Dynasty, your main goal is to get the best talent possible in the cheapest possible budget. That’s where Marlins’ SS Otto Lopez comes in. Rated at a low 78 OVR, Lopez is on the cheaper side of the market. At the moment, he only costs 235 stubs to buy. But trust me when I tell you, he’s better than a lot of 80 OVR+ players.
Looking at his stat spread, it’s definitely not the best. I wouldn’t say he deserves to be in the 90s. However, with 97 in Fielding, he fits the meta. Looking at his defensive stats, he’s got good reaction times with average arm accuracy. While he may not be the best player in the catalogue, he’s definitely a great pick-up in the early game when you need to fill your roster.
Garrett Crochet (SP) 89 OVR
We’ve got another 89 OVR on the list, but for good reason. Not a lot of players have maxed out stats, but Crochet is in the minority. With 99 Velocity, Crochet’s pitches come in at the speed of lightning. He has great stats for both his 4-Seam Fastball and his Sinker, both of which he uses to take out hitters with ease.
I apply a similar logic to him as with Byron Baxton: 89 OVR is great, but their performance says otherwise. If you’re not utilizing Crochet to his utmost potential, you’re missing out on a great underrated pick in MLB The Show 26.
Cal Raleigh (C) 90 OVR
My final pick for the best hidden gems in MLB The Show 26 is Cal Raleigh. Now, Raleigh is almost on every list talking about underrated players in the game, and it shows why. He’s an outstanding batter with phenomenal batting stats. His power vs right and left pitchers is 106 and 116, making him an extremely versatile pick.
What he lacks in speed, he makes up for in hitting power. Raleigh doesn’t need to worry about which side the opposing pitcher will choose; he’s made to counter either option. He also has a Durability of 97, meaning keep him on the pitch till the end; he will pull off wonders. And if hitting isn’t enough, the Mariners’ top player also has 88 in Fielding, backing up the fact that he deserves a better OVR.
Published: Apr 1, 2026 05:15 pm