MLB The Show 26 Stubs latest July Monthly Awards drop adds a powerful lineup of new cards, including Retro Lightning David Ortiz and Lightning CJ Abrams. While several Monthly Award players bring elite hitting stats, not every card reaches the God Squad level. This guide reviews the best cards from the program, highlights top performers, and explains which players are worth adding to your lineup.

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1. Retro Lightning David Ortiz: A Must-Have Power Bat

The biggest name in the July Monthly Awards program is Retro Lightning David Ortiz. The legendary Red Sox slugger arrives with elite offensive attributes, including 120 Contact vs Righties, 105 Contact vs Lefties, 110 Power against both sides, and 110 Clutch.

Ortiz is built for damage at the plate, especially against right-handed pitchers. His Dead Red and Breaking Ball Hitter quirks make him even more dangerous in important at-bats. While his defensive ability limits him to first base or designated hitter, adding a Contact modifier can make him even more reliable.

For players looking for a powerful middle-of-the-order hitter, Ortiz is one of the safest choices from this update.

2. CJ Abrams Lightning Card Review

CJ Abrams is the main Lightning reward for July, offering a strong combination of speed, contact, and athleticism. His card features 113 Contact vs Righties, 96 Contact vs Lefties, 120 Clutch, 115 Power vs Righties, 95 Power vs Lefties, and elite speed.

His 90+ speed and stealing ability make him a major threat on the bases, while his shortstop position adds valuable lineup flexibility. However, his defense is not as strong as some other elite shortstops, meaning players may want to improve him with fielding or contact boosts.

Abrams remains a very usable card, especially for players who value speed and aggressive gameplay.

3. Best Monthly Awards Cards: Gabriel Moreno & Chandler Simpson

Among the new Monthly Awards players, Gabriel Moreno stands out as one of the biggest surprises. The catcher combines elite contact stats, strong clutch hitting, and reliable defensive abilities behind the plate.

Moreno features 125 Contact vs Righties, 120 Contact vs Lefties, 100 Vision, and 125 Clutch. His power is not elite, but his swing and consistency make him one of the most reliable hitters in this collection.

Chandler Simpson is another interesting option. With 125 Contact on both sides, 108 Vision, 117 Clutch, 99 Speed, and 99 Stealing, he is a perfect contact-focused player. However, his lack of power limits his home run potential.

4. Other Notable Cards Worth Testing

Players like Ezekiel Duran, Andrew Monasterio, Steven Kwan, and Nick Gonzalez also provide useful options.

Duran is especially valuable because of his defensive versatility and speed, allowing him to play multiple positions. Monasterio offers strong offensive potential, while Nick Gonzalez provides excellent contact ratings.

However, several cards struggle with defensive weaknesses or limited power, making them more suitable as bench options rather than permanent starters.

5. Final Ranking and Lineup Recommendations

The July Monthly Awards update brings plenty of exciting additions, but only a few cards truly stand out. David Ortiz remains the premier power hitter, CJ Abrams provides speed and versatility, and Gabriel Moreno may be the most underrated card in the entire drop.

For competitive players building a top-tier lineup, focus on Ortiz, Moreno, Abrams, and cheap MLB Stubs versatile options like Duran. The update gives MLB The Show 26 players more lineup choices while creating new opportunities to build specialized teams.

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