Many MLB The Show players collect physical items alongside their in‑game progress. Steelbooks, controller skins, jerseys, signed baseballs, and printed Diamond Dynasty cards all end up on desks or shelves. The problem is simple: how do you store and display these items in a way that looks clean and is easy to update during the season?



Wooden crates are one of the most practical options. They’re inexpensive, easy to stack, and fit the baseball aesthetic better than plastic bins. Below is a practical guide based on how MLB The Show 26 players actually collect, rotate, and organize their merch.



Why use wooden crates for MLB The Show 26 merch?



Most players don’t collect everything at once. Your setup changes over time:



New Diamond Dynasty cards become favorites

Limited edition merch gets added mid-season

You rotate teams depending on programs or events

Controllers and accessories change throughout the year



Wooden crates solve a few real problems:



They’re modular — you can add more later

They’re easy to rearrange during new content drops

They match baseball-themed rooms naturally

They’re sturdy enough for heavier items like bats or helmets



Players who grind programs weekly often prefer flexible storage instead of permanent shelves.



What size crate works best for MLB The Show collections?



From experience, medium crates are the safest choice. Too small and nothing fits. Too large and items slide around.



Look for crates that can hold:



One steelbook case

A controller

Several baseballs

A few boxed collectibles



The most useful size is roughly:



Wide enough for horizontal controller storage

Deep enough for baseballs stacked in front

Tall enough for display stands



This lets you build “theme crates” instead of mixing everything together.



How do players organize crates by team?



Team-based crates are the most common setup. Many players switch favorite teams during content updates, so keeping each team separate makes rotation easier.



Example layout:



Top crate: Favorite current Diamond Dynasty team

Second crate: Past program team

Third crate: Real-life favorite MLB team

Bottom crate: Extra storage or accessories



This structure makes it easy to swap the top crate when a new program releases. You don’t need to rebuild your whole shelf.



Players who stream or record content often prefer this because it keeps visuals clean.



What should go inside each crate?



Think in layers. This keeps everything visible.



Back layer:



Small posters

Team logos

Card displays



Middle layer:



Baseballs

Mini helmets

Figures



Front layer:



Controller

Game case

Featured item



This mirrors how players highlight their current grind. The front item usually reflects what you're focusing on in MLB The Show 26 right now.



Should crates be stacked or wall-mounted?



Stacking is easier for most players. It allows quick changes without tools.



Wall mounting looks cleaner, but it’s harder to update. Since MLB The Show players often reorganize during:



New seasons

Ranked resets

Program drops

New card releases



Stacked crates are more practical.



If you stack them, keep heavier items at the bottom. Controllers and lighter collectibles go at the top.



How do crates help track your MLB The Show 26 progress?



Some players use crates as visual progress markers. This is surprisingly useful.



Example:



Crate 1 — Live Series progress

Crate 2 — Ranked rewards

Crate 3 — Event rewards

Crate 4 — Completed programs



As you unlock items, you move them between crates. It gives you a physical reminder of what you've finished.



This mirrors how players manage in-game goals.



Where should you place crates in your setup?



Best placements:



Next to your monitor

Under your TV

Beside your console

On desk corners



Avoid placing them behind your setup. You’ll stop updating them if they’re not visible.



Most experienced players keep them within arm’s reach so they can swap items after sessions.



How do crates work for rotating featured items?



Players often highlight one item at a time:



Current MVP card

Favorite player

Ranked reward

Limited drop merch



Using one crate as a “featured crate” works well. Place it at eye level.



Swap items when:



You unlock something new

A new season begins

You change teams

You complete a collection



This keeps your setup fresh without rebuilding everything.



What about storing controllers and accessories?



Wooden crates are surprisingly good for this.



You can store:



Xbox controller

PlayStation controller

Thumb grips

Charging cables

Headsets (smaller ones)



Place soft lining inside if you want to protect surfaces.



Players who switch between platforms often dedicate one crate to accessories. This prevents clutter on the desk.



Some players who buy MLB The Show 26 stubs early in the season also reorganize their display around newly unlocked cards and gear. This is especially common among players whobuy MLB The Show 26 stubs xbox series users tend to rearrange their setup after major purchases, highlighting new cards or themed items tied to their upgraded roster. A dedicated crate makes those changes simple without affecting the rest of the layout.



Should you label your crates?



Optional, but helpful.



Simple labels:



Ranked

Events

Live Series

Favorite Team

Accessories



You don’t need printed labels. Small wooden tags or burned initials work well.



Most players skip labels at first and add them later once their collection grows.



How many crates do you actually need?



Start with three. That’s enough for most setups.



Recommended starter layout:



Crate 1 — Featured items

Crate 2 — Team display

Crate 3 — Accessories



You can add more later when your collection grows.



Many players end up with five to six crates after a full MLB The Show cycle.



Are open crates better than closed boxes?



Yes. Visibility matters.



If items are hidden, you’ll forget to rotate them. Open crates keep everything visible and easy to change.



This matches how players interact with their in-game lineup. You see it, you update it.



Do wooden crates match baseball-themed setups?



Yes, and that’s one reason they work well.



Wood naturally fits:



Baseball bats

Leather gloves

Baseballs

Vintage team logos

Dugout-style setups



Plastic bins feel out of place in most MLB-themed rooms. Wooden crates look more intentional.