If you want to dominate the Home Run Derby in MLB The Show 26, you need to train your player differently than you would for a normal game. The Derby is all about raw power and maximum exit velocity—contact, vision, or plate discipline barely matter. Every pitch is a meatball down the middle, so the goal is to launch the ball as far as possible, as often as possible. Here’s how to turn your player into a Derby slugger.

1. Maximize Power Attributes in Training

When building your player in Road to the Show or managing them in Franchise mode, focus entirely on power:

Play Drills Manually: Avoid simulating your training sessions. Completing drills with a Gold rating earns up to 8 tokens per session, which you can invest directly into Power vs. Right and Power vs. Left.

Talk to Your Trainer: Interact with your trainer monthly to unlock 2x XP boosts. This doubles the speed at which your attributes grow.

Hit Monthly Goals: Prioritize management goals tied to slugging stats (like .600+ slugging percentage). Completing these triggers top-tier attribute rewards and helps your power climb faster.

2. Equip a Power-First Loadout

For the Derby, strip away any utility or defensive stats and focus entirely on launch angles and raw hitting power:

Diamond Perks: Use heavy-hitting perks such as Clear for Takeoff (boosts exit velocity on fly balls) and Power I/II/III to maximize swing strength.

Parallel XP (PXP) Mods: Reallocate temporary boosts directly into your player’s power stats for a short-term spike.

Power Equipment: Buy Diamond-tier bats, gloves, and ritual items from the Marketplace. These scale with your player and provide percentage-based boosts that make a huge difference in Derby swings.

3. Adjust Hitting Settings and Execution

Once you step into the batter’s box, make the right settings and swing choices:

Switch to Directional Hitting: While Zone Hitting is better for competitive play, Directional Hitting simplifies aiming for the pull side and consistent loft angles.

Pull the Ball: Hold the directional stick up and in toward your pull side (upper-left for righties, upper-right for lefties). This consistently produces the ideal launch angle.

Abuse the Power Swing: Since stamina and strikeout penalties are irrelevant, always use the Power Swing button. Combined with Big Zone Hitting, this guarantees your sweet spot connects with every slow Derby pitch.

Training a player for the Home Run Derby in MLB The Show 26 is all about focusing on raw power, stacking the right perks and equipment, and adjusting your hitting settings. By following this strategy, you can build a player capable of smashing consistent long-distance home runs and topping the leaderboard.