Topps Now and monthly Spotlight content will make up a major part of the content pipeline in MLB The Show 26. This content is centered around actual Topps Now cards produced around the Major League Baseball season.
Diamond Dynasty sees an influx of a ton of unique cards, often featuring lesser known players getting higher rated cards than they otherwise might.
We'll be talking a lot about Spotlight content this year, so let's jump into the first drop.
April Spotlight Program 1
A pretty similar structure to last season, which worked pretty well so it's nice to see it return. I'm pretty thrilled we don't have to do program card specific missions - at least this go around. The Spotlight and Topps Now grinds don't need to be drawn out, so anything increasing efficiency and reducing time is great.
There's also 32 program stars available by completing Moments.
Also returning from last year are the optional collections. If you collect all Topps Now cards from April Spotlight Pack 1, you'll earn 15 program stars while collecting all Spotlight cards from the same pack rewards 35 program stars.
Pro Tip: If you plan on doing the major collections throughout the year, you'll be needing pretty much all Topps Now and Spotlight cards. You can complete the programs without grinding a single second if you complete the collections.
This instantly completes the program, paying out all rewards without seeing a pitch.
April Spotlight Pack 1
Out of the pack, SP Emerson Hancock debuts as a top 10 SP according to Meta Overall.
Sweeper, Sinker, Cutter, Circle Change with a 95+MPH 4-Seamer and solid attributes adds an interesting starter to the meta pool. I'm always down to try new arms, and I have a feeling we'll get some pretty solid pitchers from Topps Now and Spotlight throughout the year.
Download the new ShowZone Mobile App for iOS and Android today!
Take your ShowZone account with you and maximize your Stub balance while tracking program progress, collections, and much more!
Cory Wayne Dell
Cory has been writing about all things baseball and gaming since 2022 and has been featured at Operation Sports as well as cited by Forbes. Cory is also a multi-instrumentalist and founder of the band Cargocastle. Cargocastle's latest single, "Truth and Reconciliation," is available on Spotify and all major streaming platforms. Cory is also the author of Shadow of a Monster, a personal memoir currently seeking publication.
