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+--- Thread: Draft Card Analysis: U4GM's MLB The Show 26 Picks (/showthread.php?tid=31)
Draft Card Analysis: U4GM's MLB The Show 26 Picks - Hartmann846 - 07-22-2026
Draft cards often get noisy for a day, then vanish behind the next content drop. Roch Cholowsky feels different. If you're comparing roster upgrades with MLB The Show 26 stubs, his appeal isn't just the 99 badge; he plays shortstop without forcing your lineup to make excuses.
His Defence Makes the Rating Matter
People see 102 contact, 104 power and 107 clutch, then stop reading. Fair enough, those numbers jump off the screen. But Cholowsky's real edge is that he can actually stay at short. The 88 fielding, 86 reaction and 85 arm give him enough juice to handle hard grounders, slow rollers and awkward throws from the hole. His 65 speed isn't brilliant, sure. Still, reaction matters more than raw sprint speed on plenty of infield plays. He doesn't feel like a corner bat wearing a shortstop badge, and that's a massive difference in ranked games.
- Start him at shortstop, play several ranked games, and notice how many routine grounders stop becoming annoying cheap singles.
- Move him to third base only when another shortstop clearly offers more range, not because one rating looks prettier.
- Trust his contact ratings in deeper counts, but don't treat Dead Red as permission for reckless fastball hunting.
Build the Order Around His Plate Coverage
Cholowsky works best when you let him see useful pitches. That sounds obvious, but plenty of players grab a fresh 99 card and start swinging at everything. His split ratings make him dangerous against either side, so he doesn't need platoon protection or a weird matchup-only role. I'd usually hit him first or second. He can pressure a starter early, then still drive a mistake into a gap. The Table Setter and Situational Hitter quirks fit that job nicely. He can hit fifth too, especially if your order already has speed, but leadoff feels more natural.
- Use him first when your lineup lacks a steady on-base bat who can also punish early-count fastballs.
- Use him second behind a quick runner, where his gap power can create immediate scoring chances after steals.
- Use him fifth only if stronger sluggers already cover the middle and you need dependable clutch contact.
Don't Confuse Draft Rewards With Diamond Quest Perks
The "coaches locker loot" search term has caused more confusion than it deserves. It sounds like a hidden reward room, maybe a pack path, maybe some secret stash. It isn't a confirmed official feature name. Coach's Cart is the relevant Diamond Quest mechanic, and it handles peanuts and temporary run perks. Cholowsky belongs to Draft content, Player Choice Pack possibilities, programs and collections. Different systems. Different decisions. Don't burn resources expecting Coach's Cart perks to hand over a permanent 99 shortstop. Check the reward screen, check the collection requirements, then decide whether he improves your actual squad.
- Use Coach's Cart perks for the current Diamond Quest run, because those boosts disappear once that run ends.
- Check Draft collection totals before locking cards, since collection progress and starting-lineup value are separate decisions entirely.
- Sell duplicate Draft cards before prices dip, unless you genuinely need them for the upcoming voucher reward.
A Card Worth Using, Not Just Collecting
Cholowsky has the rare prospect-card mix of pop, contact and believable infield defence. He'll stay useful after draft-week hype cools down. If you decide to buy MLB The Show 26 stubs, spend with a plan, then let his glove and bat earn the roster spot.