What Does “Leveling Up” Really Mean in Franchise Mode?

In Franchise Mode, leveling up is not about XP bars. It means:

• Improving overall ratings across your roster

• Turning B and C potential players into solid starters

• Managing contracts so you can afford star players

• Building depth in the minors

• Staying competitive for several seasons

A lot of players focus only on overall rating. That’s a mistake. A 92 overall team with no depth can fall apart after two injuries. A balanced 86–88 overall team with strong prospects can become a long-term contender.

How Important Is Player Potential?

Potential matters more than current overall in long-term Franchise saves.

If you’re rebuilding, always check:

• Age

• Potential grade

• Contract length

A 24-year-old with B potential is often more valuable than a 30-year-old with a higher overall but no growth left.

In practice, player growth depends on:

• Performance

• Playing time

• Morale

• Coaching staff bonuses

If a young player sits on the bench, they usually stagnate. If they get regular at-bats and perform decently, they grow faster. I’ve seen B-potential players jump 4–6 overall points in one good season with consistent playing time.

How Do You Develop Young Players Faster?

There are a few key things that actually make a difference:

1. Give Them Real Playing Time

Prospects in AAA do not develop as fast as players getting MLB at-bats. If your team isn’t contending, promote young players earlier.

2. Don’t Rush Too Hard

If a prospect struggles badly in MLB, their morale drops. When morale drops, growth slows. Sometimes letting them dominate in AA or AAA first helps.

3. Watch Training and Performance

Players who overperform their ratings grow faster. If your young shortstop hits .290 with solid defense, the game rewards that.

4. Balance the Lineup

Young hitters perform better when they aren’t carrying the whole offense. Protect them in the batting order.

Should You Rebuild or Compete Immediately?

This depends on your starting roster.

If your team has:

• Several players over 30

• Expiring contracts

• Weak farm system

It’s usually smarter to rebuild for 2–3 seasons.

If you try to compete with an aging core, you often end up stuck in the middle: not bad enough for high draft picks, not good enough for playoffs.

When rebuilding, trade veterans at peak value. Even if fans are unhappy short term, you’ll benefit in seasons three and four.

How Do Trades Actually Help You Level Up?

Trades are one of the fastest ways to improve your roster, but only if you understand value.

Here’s what works well:

• Trade veterans in the final year of their contract

• Target younger MLB-ready players instead of raw prospects

• Avoid giving up multiple high-potential players for one star

In practice, balanced trades build sustainable growth. Overpaying for one superstar hurts your depth.

Also, check trade difficulty settings. On higher difficulty, CPU teams value potential more realistically.

How Important Is the Amateur Draft?

The draft is your long-term foundation.

Early rounds should focus on:

• A or B potential players

• High ceiling starting pitchers

• Premium defensive positions (SS, CF, C)

Pitching prospects are extremely valuable because rotation depth is hard to maintain.

Don’t draft based only on current overall. A 68 overall with A potential is usually better than a 74 overall with C potential.

How Do Contracts Affect Team Growth?

Bad contracts slow down progress more than bad players.

Common mistakes:

• Giving 7-year deals to 32-year-olds

• Overpaying closers

• Signing free agents during a rebuild

Cap flexibility matters. If you tie up too much money in declining players, you can’t extend your young stars later.

When a young star hits arbitration, you need space. Planning ahead prevents forced trades.

What Role Does Free Agency Play?

Free agency is useful, but it should support your plan, not define it.

If you are contending:

• Add short-term veteran pieces

• Fill specific weak spots

If rebuilding:

• Avoid expensive long-term deals

• Sign low-cost players to flip at the trade deadline

Short 1–2 year contracts are safer. Long deals are risky unless the player is under 28.

How Do You Manage Morale?

Morale quietly affects performance and growth.

Players get upset about:

• Role changes

• Batting order changes

• Reduced playing time

• Contract status

If a player’s morale drops too low, their attributes can temporarily decrease.

You don’t need everyone fully happy. But your core players should not be frustrated. Check morale monthly, especially after roster moves.

How Important Is Depth?

Depth wins long seasons.

In Franchise Mode, injuries happen. If your bench players are 65 overall, your team collapses when starters go down.

I usually aim for:

• Bench players around 72–75 overall

• At least two MLB-ready rotation backups

• One strong bullpen arm in AAA

This keeps your team competitive through long stretches.

Should You Sim or Play Games?

This depends on your goal.

If you sim most games:

• Focus heavily on ratings and depth

• Prioritize pitching and defense

If you play most games:

• You can outperform ratings with skill

• Contact hitters and high-speed players become more valuable

I’ve seen average teams reach the playoffs because the user plays well. But if you sim, ratings matter more than user skill.

Does Spending Real Money Matter in Franchise Mode?

Franchise Mode is separate from Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 26. You don’t need to buy MLB The Show 26 stubs Nintendo Switch to improve your Franchise roster. Stubs mainly affect card-based modes. In Franchise, everything comes from trades, scouting, drafting, and development.

Your progress depends on management decisions, not microtransactions.

How Long Does It Take to Build a Contender?

Realistically:

• 1–2 seasons for a quick retool

• 3–4 seasons for a full rebuild

The biggest improvement usually comes in year three, when your first draft class starts reaching MLB level.

If you draft well and manage contracts properly, your window can last 5+ seasons.

What Is the Most Common Mistake Players Make?

Trying to fix everything in one season.

Franchise Mode rewards patience. Growth is gradual. Contracts expire. Prospects develop. Veterans decline.

If you:

• Draft high potential

• Trade aging players at peak value

• Avoid bad long-term contracts

• Give young players playing time

Your team levels up naturally.

Advice

Think like a general manager, not just a player.

Ask yourself every season:

• Are we rebuilding or contending?

• Are we improving long term or just this year?

• Are our young players actually developing?

Franchise Mode in MLB The Show 26 is most rewarding when you build something over time. If you stay patient and make consistent smart decisions, your roster strength increases every season without needing shortcuts.