<![CDATA[Tired of the same meta players]]>Santana, Willi Castro, Ian Happ, Brian Reynolds...and more

Im pretty tired of the same guys always being the meta players. I get it with huge legends - they obviously should be good. But, I love baseball history...and Im tired of the fact that so many guys never get to be useful in this game. Who is using any Brooks Robinson or Jeff Conine or Ralph Kiner?

Three things:

  1. Many players just have worse stats so they will never be used on optimal team
  2. Switch hitters - have to get used more
  3. The most important one - there's only a certain type of card that has use in the game. You just have no reason to use most low-power or high-contact guys...or even most low-vision archetypes. Same with pitchers - only a certain archetype is useful....velocity plus sinker plus cutter and change....otherwise, why use? Trot out Whitey Ford if you have a death wish.

So, it just ends up being the same guys and the same archetypes....year after year after year...

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/topic/82897/tired-of-the-same-meta-playersRSS for NodeSat, 23 May 2026 08:04:58 GMTThu, 21 May 2026 21:27:44 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Fri, 22 May 2026 18:38:05 GMT]]>It would at least be nice if it was a tough choice - like, give the cards that have a "bad archetype" way better stats (like the low power or junkballer type).

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/758011https://forums.theshow.com/post/758011Fri, 22 May 2026 18:38:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Fri, 22 May 2026 17:52:29 GMT]]>

@iBonafideScrub__PSN said:

@BLAISEBLAISE_PSN said:

I feel like EVERYONE has a p5 Happ and P5 de la Cruz in their lineup. I do my best to take out my p5s for now, but if I'm really trying to win I gotta get them in there.

I play ranked with the P5 guys I hit the best with, that’s why I P5 them, to make them better.

Events and co-op is where I try cards and play casually.

you p5 cards with purpose? I've just used cards enough to p5 them via regular use.
this year it's quicker than ever, I have like 8 different p5 center fielders just because they are cards I use the most.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/758002https://forums.theshow.com/post/758002Fri, 22 May 2026 17:52:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Fri, 22 May 2026 17:46:21 GMT]]>

@BLAISEBLAISE_PSN said:

I feel like EVERYONE has a p5 Happ and P5 de la Cruz in their lineup. I do my best to take out my p5s for now, but if I'm really trying to win I gotta get them in there.

I play ranked with the P5 guys I hit the best with, that’s why I P5 them, to make them better.

Events and co-op is where I try cards and play casually.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/758001https://forums.theshow.com/post/758001Fri, 22 May 2026 17:46:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Fri, 22 May 2026 16:30:14 GMT]]>@rubicante23_PSN you can play me I don't use those players. I use pujols, tulo, Miguel, soto, Felix lol

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757956https://forums.theshow.com/post/757956Fri, 22 May 2026 16:30:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Fri, 22 May 2026 15:45:40 GMT]]>I actually like sosa swing. Its that they never give him a good card anymore.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757934https://forums.theshow.com/post/757934Fri, 22 May 2026 15:45:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Fri, 22 May 2026 12:17:45 GMT]]>@CarlosLBJ23_PSN it sucks to see this as a baseball history geek it sucks to see so many great players go to waste.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757886https://forums.theshow.com/post/757886Fri, 22 May 2026 12:17:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Fri, 22 May 2026 12:11:18 GMT]]>@CarlosLBJ23_PSN their swings are terrible. It is unfortunate. They’re so bad it’s hard to use those cards offline.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757884https://forums.theshow.com/post/757884Fri, 22 May 2026 12:11:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Fri, 22 May 2026 12:09:42 GMT]]>@Dolenz_PSN speaking of McGee, if they would release an 82 post season McGee and do it correctly, that card would have some pop. End game card.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757883https://forums.theshow.com/post/757883Fri, 22 May 2026 12:09:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Fri, 22 May 2026 07:33:45 GMT]]>Sad to see many great players not being used every year, Sosa, McGwire or Clemente. No one will use them cuz brian reynolds is better but watch people complain when they are removed in a future game

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757869https://forums.theshow.com/post/757869Fri, 22 May 2026 07:33:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Fri, 22 May 2026 06:57:23 GMT]]>@Onix_Savage22_PSN just block him I did. He is a troll

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757866https://forums.theshow.com/post/757866Fri, 22 May 2026 06:57:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Fri, 22 May 2026 03:10:55 GMT]]>Everyone plays games like they are going to be streamers or pros. Every lineup is nothing but switch hitters. It would be a big deal of the game would punish people for swinging at pitches out of the zone.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757841https://forums.theshow.com/post/757841Fri, 22 May 2026 03:10:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Fri, 22 May 2026 02:34:34 GMT]]>my whole thing is - I try to use a lot of different cards, just for the fun of it. but don't pretend like that's the best strategy - it isn't, the best strategy is the switch hitter meta where Santana is the bomb diggity. and that's the fault of SDS. they should be nerfing the meta, to make way more players usable. but they don't, they encourage and promote the meta...and NEVER nerf it.

but don't give me this anecdotal junk that's like "but I just REALLY love this guy's swing, it's pure BUTTER!" - get out of town, the meta is the meta because it's optimal...

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757832https://forums.theshow.com/post/757832Fri, 22 May 2026 02:34:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Fri, 22 May 2026 02:03:11 GMT]]>People who are so desperate to win use as many switch hitters as possible. People who just like trying different cards will just play. Now until they recode the game this will be the meta to combat shrinkage

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757828https://forums.theshow.com/post/757828Fri, 22 May 2026 02:03:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Fri, 22 May 2026 01:45:01 GMT]]>@DeleteyourTTVBTW_MLBTS I’m fine without it tbh if I get it I get it if I don’t I don’t. I’m perfectly fine with my World Series icon or my redsox icon. And if u wanna call me out about “crying” u can look at any form anybody on here has posted recently and it’s people talking about this game in a negative light. I’m just being more vocal cause as the year goes on people are realizing this years game rly isn’t it wether u wanna accept that or be in denial about it that’s up to u.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757821https://forums.theshow.com/post/757821Fri, 22 May 2026 01:45:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Fri, 22 May 2026 00:31:44 GMT]]>

@ref479ode_PSN said:

I'm using that Cardinals guy in cf who is high contact with no power but has almost perfect defense

Willie McGee - 1985 NL MVP

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757812https://forums.theshow.com/post/757812Fri, 22 May 2026 00:31:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Thu, 21 May 2026 23:52:11 GMT]]>I use mostly switch hitters.

I'm using that Cardinals guy in cf who is high contact with no power but has almost perfect defense. I don't like using trout or others there so I sacrifice the offense for the elite defense in center.

I do use trout so I don't run all switch

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757810https://forums.theshow.com/post/757810Thu, 21 May 2026 23:52:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Thu, 21 May 2026 23:38:43 GMT]]>

@Onix_Savage22_PSN said:

@rubicante23_PSN no it’s sarcastic he told me in another post all I do is ask if switch hitters are useable out of position😂. So I’m just leaning into it a bit.

If you wanna get the 1000 icon you also cry then Id give it a shot but I don’t see that happening anytime soon

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757809https://forums.theshow.com/post/757809Thu, 21 May 2026 23:38:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Thu, 21 May 2026 22:54:56 GMT]]>It's never going to change.
If users feel that switch-hitters give them the best chance to win, can you blame them?
That said i use Elly, Made, Happ, & Singleton.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757803https://forums.theshow.com/post/757803Thu, 21 May 2026 22:54:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Thu, 21 May 2026 22:39:24 GMT]]>I play 3 figgins chipper and 95 j-ram.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757802https://forums.theshow.com/post/757802Thu, 21 May 2026 22:39:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Thu, 21 May 2026 22:26:50 GMT]]>I play one switch hitter. Jimmy Rollins and that’s it.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757799https://forums.theshow.com/post/757799Thu, 21 May 2026 22:26:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Thu, 21 May 2026 21:57:05 GMT]]>@BLAISEBLAISE_PSN me too, Blaise. I really try to play some unusual cards...but its not like I think its the optimal play, lol....im just trying to mix it up a little

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757797https://forums.theshow.com/post/757797Thu, 21 May 2026 21:57:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Thu, 21 May 2026 21:56:07 GMT]]>@Onix_Savage22_PSN gotcha. Switch hitters are so valuable that it wasn't even an obvious joke to me, LOL

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757796https://forums.theshow.com/post/757796Thu, 21 May 2026 21:56:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Thu, 21 May 2026 21:51:28 GMT]]>I feel like EVERYONE has a p5 Happ and P5 de la Cruz in their lineup. I do my best to take out my p5s for now, but if I'm really trying to win I gotta get them in there.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757795https://forums.theshow.com/post/757795Thu, 21 May 2026 21:51:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tired of the same meta players on Thu, 21 May 2026 21:45:38 GMT]]>@rubicante23_PSN no it’s sarcastic he told me in another post all I do is ask if switch hitters are useable out of position😂. So I’m just leaning into it a bit.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/757793https://forums.theshow.com/post/757793Thu, 21 May 2026 21:45:38 GMT