Big ratings sell cards, but they do not always win Ranked games. A few All Star players have the sort of tools that show up once you actually put them in a lineup. If you are saving MLB 26 stubs for a smarter upgrade, Max Muncy deserves a proper look. His 96 overall card is built for damage, especially when a right-hander is on the mound. The swing feels quick, and balls that seem like routine flyouts can carry out in a hurry. He is not just a bench bat, either. Muncy can handle first or third, which makes roster changes much less of a headache.

McGonigle does a bit of everything

Kevin McGonigle may be the card people regret ignoring. The 97 overall Tigers prospect does not need a massive power rating to be a problem. His contact numbers are ridiculous: 119 against righties and 103 against lefties. Add 100 vision and 108 clutch, and he keeps turning tough at-bats into line drives. He also gives you options around the diamond, which matters when you are trying to fit several All Star cards together.

1. Start him at shortstop for his range and clean fielding.
2. Move him to second or third if another shortstop has to play.
3. Use his center-field eligibility in a pinch when speed is needed.

A speed-and-power boost takes him from a reliable table setter to someone pitchers really cannot relax against. He will not hit like a pure slugger, but he gets on base, runs well, and puts pressure on every throw.

Messick is awkward in the best way

Parker Messick is the kind of starter that can make an opponent look uncomfortable for six innings. His 96 overall card is a lefty, and that alone helps against the endless stream of right-handed power bats in Diamond Dynasty. But the real selling point is the delivery. The ball stays hidden longer than hitters expect, so even a decent fastball can look faster. Work the four-seamer up, then bring the sinker or cutter back through the zone. The circle change is there for players who start cheating on heat. With solid per-nine ratings, he is not a gimmick; he can be a real rotation piece.

Build around roles, not hype

These cards work because they solve different problems. Muncy gives you left-handed thump without locking up one position. McGonigle covers several spots while bringing contact, speed, and late-inning reliability. Messick changes the look of a rotation that may otherwise be full of similar right-handed arms. That mix is useful in ranked play, where opponents often prepare for the obvious cards and do not know what they are getting from the less popular choices.

Value can still change a roster

There is nothing wrong with chasing the headline names, but a strong team is usually built through fit rather than reputation. Spend your cheap MLB 26 stubs with a plan, then let Muncy’s bat, McGonigle’s all-around game, and Messick’s deception cover the gaps your current squad still has.