This guide covers the most effective strategies for scouting and drafting in MLB 26 Franchise mode on MLB The Show 26 Stubs.
Tip 1: Set Your Scouts Up for Success
You have three scouts. Each should specialize.
Discovery Scout: Target at least 90 discovery (95+ ideal). Only the discovery rating matters. Efficiency, pitchers, and position players ratings have minimal impact. In a test class using a 97 discovery scout with nothing else above 75, all discovered players became top-five picks with 85+ potential on cheap MLB The Show 26 Stubs.
Other Two Scouts: One requires 90+ Efficiency and 90+ Position Players (scouts only position players). The other requires 90+ Efficiency and 90+ Pitchers (scouts only pitchers). These three scouts perform the same role every year.
Tip 2: Identify Generational Prospects
Initial identification (may be patched): Look for age 18-19, 99 potential, and 77-83 overall. Open the player card. If maximum durability is exactly 85, the player is generational.
Example: Ryan Grady (18, 99 potential, 81 overall, 85 durability) = generational. Cesar Gonzalez (18, 99 potential, 77 overall, 66 durability) = not generational.
What to expect when scouting:
Week 1: Potential drops to 94-95. The game tries to trick you.
Week 2: Draft rank increases.
Week 3-4: Accurate ratings appear.
You do not need to scout generational prospects for 3-4 weeks. Identify them early using durability and spend time elsewhere.

Tip 3: Scout Pitchers by Region, Position Players Individually
Scouting percentages (90 efficiency scout for 18-year-olds):
Individual: 45% per week
Regional: 10% per week (nerfed from 15%)
Position players: Finding five players in the same region and position worth scouting is nearly impossible. Scout individually. Your goal is not to scout many players but to scout good players.
Pitchers: Scout by region. More pitchers are generated, and they fill out your draft class.
Recommended pitching strategy:
Weeks 1-5: International region (50% scouting)
Weeks 6-10: Central region (or East) (another 50%)
Weeks 11-14: Finish individual pitcher profiles from 50% to 100%
Tip 4: Always Be Discovering
Your discovery scout should discover players all 14 weeks.
Weeks 1-2: Discover in your primary pitching region.
Weeks 2-3: Switch to your secondary pitching region.
Cycle through infield, outfield, and regions for position players.
Discovery is high-risk, high-reward. In one test class, discovery alone produced a 70 overall with 93 potential (4th pick) and a 64 overall with 88 potential (5th pick). The best late-round picks often come from weeks 12-14.
Tip 5: Identify All Other Good Players
5.1 Mind the Gap
The gap = maximum potential − maximum overall. The gap remains the same from unscouted to drafted.
The maximum starting overall for 99% of players is 75 or 76. To get A potential (80+), you need a gap of at least 15 points.