When starting a Road To The Show (RTTS) career in MLB The Show 26, one of the first big decisions you’ll make is which college program to join. For many new and even experienced players, the choice can feel overwhelming. In general, the college you pick can influence how fast your player develops, the difficulty of your matchups, and the opportunities to showcase your skills. Below, I’ll break down the key questions most players have and give practical advice based on how RTTS usually works.

Which Colleges Give the Fastest Player Development?

Most players notice that some college programs help their characters level up faster than others. In practice, programs that have better coaching staff ratings, more games, and higher overall competition tend to provide faster stat growth. Usually, these programs also have more frequent practice sessions where you can focus on your specific attributes like contact, power, or pitching control.

For hitters, colleges in bigger conferences or with strong offensive reputations often give a slight edge in development. For pitchers, programs known for pitching depth let you face stronger batters early, which can speed up your skill gains. Keep in mind that your player’s initial position also matters: some schools rotate outfielders more, while others give infielders more consistent starts.

How Important is Playing Time?

In general, playing time is critical in RTTS. Most players will develop slower if they sit on the bench or only play a few innings. Some colleges have star-studded rosters, which might seem appealing, but in practice, you’ll often get fewer at-bats or innings pitched. Other schools with less talent give you the chance to start every game, which usually leads to better stats growth over the season.

The key is balancing competition and opportunity. A college with a slightly lower rating but guaranteed starts can be better for your RTTS career than a high-profile school where you ride the bench.

Which Position Should Influence Your College Choice?

Most players focus heavily on college reputation, but your position can subtly influence how easy it is to get noticed by scouts in RTTS. For example:

• Pitchers: Programs with strong pitching traditions often give more innings and higher-quality batters to face, which helps improve your pitching attributes faster.

• Catchers: You usually benefit from colleges that emphasize defense and game-calling, since these skills are harder to train in practice.

• Infielders and Outfielders: Colleges with balanced rosters usually let you get reps in both hitting and fielding, which is ideal for overall growth.

Usually, it’s less about the biggest program and more about consistent reps at your position.

How Does College Difficulty Affect Your Experience?

One thing many players don’t realize at first is that the difficulty of the college league affects both your stats and progression. Easier leagues let you rack up hits, home runs, or strikeouts quickly, which is good for early confidence. Harder leagues usually slow your growth slightly but give a more realistic challenge that prepares you for the majors.

Most players choose a middle ground: a program that’s not the absolute easiest, but not the toughest either. This way, you still face competitive opponents without frustratingly slow progression.

How Recruiting Events and Showcases Work

Another factor to consider is how colleges perform in national showcases or tournaments. In MLB The Show 26, these events matter because they give you extra chances to impress scouts and boost your draft potential. Schools that frequently participate in these events usually give your player more exposure, which can be crucial if you plan to get drafted high.

In practice, attending every showcase and performing well often impacts your RTTS trajectory more than the initial college choice. However, choosing a program that naturally enters more events helps reduce the grind and gives you more opportunities to stand out.

Balancing Academics and Playing Time

Even though RTTS is primarily about baseball, academics play a role in some college choices. Most players notice that harder academic programs sometimes limit your training time. Usually, this isn’t a huge factor, but it can slightly slow attribute growth if your character is balancing tough courses with practices and games.

In general, you’ll want a school that balances moderate academics with solid baseball opportunities, so you can focus on developing your player efficiently.

Common Mistakes Players Make

Many players jump straight for the colleges with the biggest reputation or the most stars. In practice, this isn’t always the best choice. The most successful RTTS players often pick schools where they get consistent playing time, can attend showcases, and face moderately tough competition.

Another common mistake is not planning for your character’s long-term goals. For example, if you want a power-hitting outfielder, choosing a college with weak hitting development will make your progression slower, even if the team wins a lot.

Resources for Progression

While you’re building your RTTS career, some players choose to buy MLB 26 stubs online to get specific upgrades or training boosts. In general, this isn’t necessary to succeed, but it can help speed up progression if you want to accelerate your path to the majors.

Summary of the Best Approach

• Prioritize consistent playing time over college prestige.

• Choose schools that provide good showcases and tournaments.

• Pick a program that matches your position’s development needs.

• Consider a moderate difficulty level to balance progression and challenge.

• Avoid purely chasing stats; focus on steady growth and exposure.

By focusing on these practical considerations, you can maximize your RTTS experience and make your path to the majors smoother. Most players who take this approach end up with more enjoyable and less frustrating seasons.