In MLB The Show 26, Untouchable players are your team's elite stars or top prospects that the AI locks down to prevent easy trades. Knowing how to spot them—and managing them properly—is key to mastering Franchise Mode and the overhauled Trade Hub system.



How to Spot Untouchable Players



1. Visual Indicators

When browsing rosters or the Trade Hub, Untouchable players have a clear status label or icon. It’s usually visible next to their name, so you can instantly tell which players are off-limits.



2. Trade Hub Status

If you try to add an Untouchable player to a trade, the game will block the action or give a pop-up notification warning you that the player is protected. This keeps you from accidentally trying to trade away a star.



3. Common Candidates



Top 100 Prospects: The game automatically protects most of the league’s highest-rated future stars.

Franchise Cornerstones: MVP-level veterans or established All-Stars are frequently marked as Untouchable.

Your Core Players: You can manually designate players as Untouchable to protect them from AI trade interference.

Key Mechanics to Keep in Mind



Dynamic Status

Untouchable status isn’t permanent. The AI may remove the designation later in the season depending on team standings, market pressure, or whether a team is buying or selling around the trade deadline.



AI vs. User Control

You have full control to set your own Untouchable players. This ensures the AI won’t trade away your key pieces or suggest them in risky deals.



Trade Difficulty

Acquiring an AI’s Untouchable player is extremely hard by design. However, some players report that these designations can drop mid-season, opening small windows for high-value trades. Keep an eye out if you’re looking to snag a big-name star.



Strategy Tips

Check the “Window”

If you’re rebuilding, monitor other teams’ Untouchable lists. Veterans may become available if their team falls out of the playoff race. That’s your chance to grab top-tier talent.

Manage Your Own List

Regularly update your Untouchable list in the Trade Hub. This prevents accidental trades of your most important prospects or stars and ensures your core remains intact.



Bottom Line: Untouchable players in MLB The Show 26 are designed to protect elite talent and shape realistic trade scenarios. Mastering the Trade Hub and keeping a close eye on these designations gives you the upper hand—whether you’re building a dynasty or making a savvy mid-season trade.