Elly De La Cruz is one of the hottest players in MLB The Show 26 right now. Whether you’re building a stacked Diamond Dynasty team or just want a reliable Reds infielder for Franchise, knowing the best ways to acquire him is key. Here’s a clear breakdown of all the methods.
1. 94 OVR Lightning Elly De La Cruz (Diamond)
The crown jewel for De La Cruz collectors is the 94 OVR Lightning card, a Diamond-tier player with elite stats. The best part? It’s completely free to earn through gameplay—no Stubs required.
How to Get Him:
Go to Spotlight Collections → April Lightning Collection.
Collect all five required unsellable Spotlight cards from the April Spotlight Drops 1–5 XP paths.
Required Players:
Kevin McGonigle
Jo Adell
Jhoan Duran
Mike Trout
Ben Rice
Pro Tip: Focus on completing each XP reward path for the weekly Spotlight drops. Grinding these missions is the fastest way to secure all the required players. Using high-elevation stadiums in Play vs. CPU can make hitting missions easier, especially for infield-based stat challenges.
2. 81 OVR Live Series Elly De La Cruz (Gold)
If you’re looking for a simpler, quicker way to add De La Cruz to your team, the 81 OVR Live Series card is the base version. His stats update over the season based on real-life performance, making him a solid long-term option for Diamond Dynasty or quick-match lineups.
Acquisition Methods:
Community Market: Buy directly with Stubs. Early May 2026 prices range between 2,052–2,100 Stubs.
Standard Packs: Can appear randomly in The Show packs or other reward packs.
Team Affinity / Rewards: Occasionally awarded via Reds-specific rewards or post-game drops.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the Community Market if you want to pick him up quickly. Prices can fluctuate based on Spotlight drop completions and in-game events.
3. 87 OVR “Play Now” / Franchise Version
For non-Diamond Dynasty modes like Franchise or March to October, De La Cruz starts as an 87 OVR player on the Cincinnati Reds default roster. No extra unlocks are needed; he’s ready to contribute right away.
Pro Tip: Using Elly in Franchise can help with collection-based goals or programs tied to Spotlight cards, like the Chipper Jones Retro Lightning. Including him early ensures you’re ahead in these event programs.
Summary
94 OVR Lightning: Free via April Spotlight Collection, requires grinding XP paths for five Spotlight cards.
81 OVR Live Series: Purchaseable or pack-obtainable, stats update throughout the season.
87 OVR Franchise: Automatically available on Reds roster for Franchise/Play Now modes.
For gamers aiming to maximize their Diamond Dynasty roster, grinding the Spotlight program for the 94 OVR Lightning Elly is the top priority. For casual or Franchise players, the base versions are quick ways to add him without deep grinding.