When you are piecing together a serious MLB The Show roster, you usually chase speed, defense, and a bat that does not feel dead in big spots. That is why MLB 26 stubs can matter so much when you are hunting for a card like Cole Carrigg. He is not the sort of pick that just fills a hole. He can change how you line up your entire bench and even how you think about late-game moves.
Why he feels different
Carrigg stands out because he can cover so much ground. Center field is his home, sure, but he is also usable at catcher, first base, shortstop, left field, and right field. That kind of range is rare enough on its own. Add a 99 arm strength rating and you start to see why people keep talking about him. He can shut down runners from the outfield, and he can also make the exchange look easy in crowded spots. Still, if you actually watch how he plays, the 90 speed and 99 stealing rating make one thing clear: leaving him behind the plate is probably wasting what he does best.
The bat is steadier than it looks
He is a switch hitter, so you never get stuck worrying about the matchup too much. That alone takes pressure off a lineup. His contact numbers are clean too, with 103 against righties and 97 against lefties, plus a 99 clutch rating that matters more than people admit. The power does not jump off the page at first, sitting at 75 and 65, but this is where game feel comes in. Carrigg has a smooth enough swing that he keeps finding hard contact. He is the kind of player who can feel quiet for a few innings, then suddenly barrel something when the spot gets big.
Useful in more than one way
A lot of players will look at Carrigg and think about boosts right away. That makes sense. A power boost can push him past the 80 mark on one side and above 70 on the other, and then he starts looking a lot more dangerous. That said, the card is already useful before any tweaking. If you like carrying one bench bat who can also move around the field, he fits that job well. He is quick, he switches sides at the plate, and he gives you options when a game gets messy.
How the numbers line up
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Speed | 90 |
| Stealing | 99 |
| Arm Strength | 99 |
| Contact vs RHP | 103 |
| Contact vs LHP | 97 |
That mix is why Carrigg keeps showing up in real roster conversations. He is not just a backup. He is the sort of card you bring in when you want one player to cover a bad inning, a late steal, or a matchup you do not want to overthink. And if you are still building out the rest of the squad, MLB stubs can help you get there faster without giving up the kind of flexibility Carrigg brings.
