It’s nearly time for the launch of MLB The Show 26, and if you want to stay ahead of the curve for the release, then you’re likely trying to figure out which team you’ll start your first Franchise with. It’s an annual tradition for diehard MLB The Show fans, as that first Franchise Mode team holds a special place in your heart for the rest of the year. As always, though, there are good options to pick in Franchise Mode, and there are options that will make the next week or two of your life a nightmare.
To start on the right foot, we’ll be identifying the three best Franchises and the three worst Franchises to start with in MLB The Show 26. This list is largely based on every team’s current roster, farm system, and payroll flexibility, as those are the three most important elements you’ll keep running into during any Franchise playthrough. While the list could change barring some miraculous trade or signing by one of these teams before the MLB season kicks off, it should be pretty set in stone.
Worst Franchises To Start With In MLB The Show 26
You always want the bad news first, right? Well, let’s kick things off with the three worst teams to choose for a Franchise playthrough in MLB The Show 26.
Here are our picks for the three worst teams to use in Franchise:
Colorado Rockies
Was there really another pick to lead off this part of the list? The Colorado Rockies are seemingly stuck in purgatory, as they haven’t put together a winning season since the prime Trevor Story days in 2018. 2025 was a new low for the Rockies, though, as they managed to lose a whopping 119 games, the most in team history.
In 2026, things aren’t looking much better. The big league roster consists of some players you might not have ever heard of before, and the pitching rotation isn’t much better, with Michael Lorenzen and Jose Quintana leading the group after being signed in free agency.
While you might think the Rockies must have a decent farm system, think again. Ethan Holliday and Charlie Condon are exciting infield prospects, but both of them are a year or two away from cracking the majors. Beyond that, right-hander Brody Brecht could be an electrifying starter one day, but he only debuted in Single-A last season.
Overall, Colorado doesn’t have a ton of hope in the current or near future. Oh, and you also have to contend with Coors Field and its ridiculous altitude for 81 games a year.
Miami Marlins
Next up, we have another mainstay in the “worst franchises” list. The Miami Marlins are essentially a farm system for the rest of the MLB at this point. The organization can actually draft and develop players very well, but they never fork over the money needed to keep any of them long-term.
Similar to the Rockies, the Marlins are likely rolling out a starting lineup of players with mostly less than two years of major league experience. Kyle Stowers is far and away the most talented player on the roster, but he has a hefty payday coming in the near future. Pitching is headlined by Sandy Alcantara and Eury Perez, but it looks somewhat bleak beyond them.
Fortunately, Miami’s farm system does have some solid pitching, and most of those prospects are in AAA. However, if you choose to rebuild the Marlins, you’ll have to find a way to keep your young stars instead of trading them as the team does in real life.
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals were a model of consistency for most of this century. If they weren’t competing for a World Series, they were right in the mix in the NL Central year after year. All of that stopped in the 2020s, though, as the Cardinals haven’t made it past the Wild Card game since 2019.
Now, the red birds are in a total rebuild after trading away players like Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, and others. While the starting lineup isn’t in dire straits, it’s not great. It should feature top prospect JJ Wetherholt, though, and St. Louis does have some other exciting players in the minors.
However, between the current rotation, which was “bolstered” by free agent Dustin May, the bleak outlook for 2026, and the Cardinals’ tricky financial situation after covering guaranteed money for traded players, they’re a tough rebuild for MLB The Show 26.
Best Franchises To Start With In MLB The Show 26
Alright, now it’s time to get into the real meat and potatoes of Franchise Mode. The three teams we’ll be listing all have bright futures as a result of their rebuild efforts, and there might be one or two teams you’re not expecting to see.
Here are our picks for the three best teams to use in Franchise:
Athletics
After years and years of hardship, the A’s are finally on the up and up. While they’re still waiting for a permanent place to call home, don’t let that stop you from getting in on the ground floor with something potentially massive.
The A’s boast reigning AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz, but fellow rookie Jacob Wilson also had a shot at the award. The lineup also consists of All-Star Brent Rooker and solid all-around players like Shea Langeliers, Tyler Soderstrom, and now Jeff McNeil, who came over from the Mets in the offseason. The lineup shouldn’t have any issues scoring or getting on base. However, you can also call in reinforcements in the future, as the A’s have top prospects Leo De Vries and Henry Bolte just waiting in the minors.
On the pitching side, the A’s are much weaker compared to their lineup, but they have a middle-of-the-pack rotation with a decent bullpen. Acquiring a number one starter for a top prospect could be a way to jolt your rebuild with the A’s, though.
Overall, there’s a lot to like with A’s, and you also have relocation down the line, which adds a layer of customization in Franchise.
Chicago White Sox
That’s right, somehow, someway, the Chicago White Sox have a semi-bright future ahead of them. Through some crafty trades and low-risk free agent signings, the White Sox could be in a great position to eventually take over the AL Central in a year or two.
During the 2026 offseason, the White Sox actually spent some money, signing Japanese star Munetaka Murakami and outfielder Austin Hays while also signing a couple of backend starters. On paper, the starting lineup looks decent, but only if top catching prospect Kyle Teel joins the roster early on in the season. You also have fellow top prospect Colson Montgomery looking to play his first full season. The pitching rotation won’t be anything special, but there are several exciting prospects you can bring up in 2026 and 2027.
While the White Sox might not compete in 2026, they are well set up for 2027 and beyond with the moves they’ve made over the past few seasons.
Pittsburgh Pirates
This list just gets crazier, but if you want a truly fun rebuild in Franchise Mode, start up with the Pittsburgh Pirates. If pitcher Paul Skenes wasn’t enough to entice you, number one prospect Konnor Griffin should give you all the confidence you need.
The pairing of Skenes and Griffin is absolutely lethal and isn’t matched by many other pairings in the league (Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony are a worthy comparison). While you’re waiting for Griffin to progress through the minors, the Pirates have an okay lineup that was bolstered by Ryan O’Hearn, Marcell Ozuna, and Brandon Lowe in the offseason. Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz should continue leading the way, though.
The rotation is, obviously, led by Skenes, as well as Mitch Keller, but Bubba Chandler and Braxton Ashcraft are some of the most exciting pitchers in the MLB. You also have prospect Hunter Barco waiting, if need be.
The Pirates were once the laughing stock of the league, but in MLB The Show 26, you can make them a force to be reckoned with in Franchise Mode.
