There's a certain kind of card that you don't need three games to understand. You take one swing, hear the crack, and think, yeah, this one's staying. That's pretty much the feeling with 97 overall Rafael Devers in MLB The Show 26. If you've been holding onto MLB 26 Stubs for a bat that can change an inning on one mistake, Devers makes a strong case right away. He doesn't feel stiff, he doesn't feel late, and he doesn't need perfect contact every time to do damage.
The Swing Feels Like the Main Selling Point
Plenty of cards have big numbers on the front. Not all of them feel good once you're actually in the box. Devers is different. His load is clean, the swing gets through the zone fast, and you don't feel like you're fighting the animation. That matters a lot online, especially when someone is mixing sinkers inside and sliders away. You can sit on a pitch, react late, and still drive the ball somewhere useful. He's not just a pull-side power bat either. Leave something over the plate and he can send it to left-center without it feeling forced.
Lefty Versus Lefty Isn't a Problem
This is where the card starts to feel a bit unfair. A lot of players will bring in a left-handed reliever the second Devers comes up in a big spot. It's the obvious move. With some hitters, it works. With this version of Devers, it doesn't always matter. His swing handles inside heat well enough, and he can still stay on breaking balls if you're not chasing. That makes him awkward to pitch to, because the usual plan isn't safe. You can't just spam low sliders and hope he rolls over every time.
More Than Just a Home Run Card
The power is the headline, sure, but he isn't a one-note player. At third base, he's solid enough that you're not holding your breath on every hard grounder. He'll make the routine plays, and that's really what most players need from him. The speed isn't game-breaking, but it's better than you might expect from a corner infielder with this much pop. He can stretch a ball into the gap, score from second on a clean single, and avoid feeling like a station-to-station slugger. That little bit of movement helps more than people admit.
Why He Fits So Many Lineups
Devers works because he doesn't need a perfect roster around him. You can bat him third, fourth, or even second if you like pressure early. He gives you a left-handed threat who can punish righties but won't fold when the bullpen matchup turns against him. In ranked games, that's huge. Opponents are always trying to find the weak spot in your order. With Devers, there just isn't an easy one. He can start rallies with hard singles, clear bases with doubles, or completely flip a game with one no-doubt shot.
Final Thoughts
Rafael Devers feels like one of those cards people will keep using even after more high-rated options arrive. The swing is too comfortable, the power shows up in real games, and the card doesn't have enough weaknesses to push him out quickly. If you're building around a strong left-handed bat, he's absolutely worth a look, whether you grind the market or choose to buy MLB The Show Stubs to speed up your upgrades. He brings the kind of reliable danger that makes every at-bat feel important.
