How to Unlock Elly De La Cruz in MLB The Show 26

If you want the 94 OVR Lightning version of Elly De La Cruz in MLB The Show 26, the key is completing the April Spotlight Lightning Collection in Diamond Dynasty. Here’s the fastest, clearest way to get him.

Steps to Unlock Lightning Elly De La Cruz

The April Lightning Collection asks you to collect five specific reward players from the April Spotlight XP paths. These players are unsellable, so you must earn each one by finishing their program:

Kevin McGonigle – Drop 1

Jo Adell – Drop 2

Jhoan Duran – Drop 3

Mike Trout – Drop 4

Ben Rice – Drop 5

Once you have all five players, go to the Spotlight Collections menu and select the April Lightning Collection. Lock in the collection, and Elly De La Cruz is yours.

Other Versions of Elly De La Cruz

81 OVR Live Series (Gold): This basic version can be pulled from standard packs or bought in the Marketplace for roughly 2,000 stubs.

Supercharged Version: Occasionally, Elly gets temporary stat boosts for his real-life hot streaks, like his historic April when he hit 10 home runs before May 1.

Fastest Way to Grind XP

Getting all five collection cards requires completing XP paths efficiently. Here are the top tips:

Play the Cityscape Mini-Season: This mode lets you knock out strikeout and home run objectives at the same time.

Use Higher Difficulty: Playing on All-Star or Legend boosts XP gain significantly, speeding up progress toward program rewards.

Focus on Stat Missions: Track which missions feed into multiple player drops—stacking objectives saves time.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the ShowZone Guide. It shows which challenges, moments, and missions overlap so you can earn XP for multiple drops at once, reducing grind time drastically.