MLB The Show 25: The Complete 2025 Hitting and Gameplay Mastery Guide

MLB The Show 25 arrives with some of the biggest gameplay refinements the series has seen in years, reshaping how players swing, field, pitch, and make moment-to-moment decisions on the diamond. Whether you’re a returning veteran or a completely new player looking to get ahead on launch day, mastering the fundamentals early will separate you from the pack—especially as players dive into Ranked, Diamond Dynasty, Franchise, or Road to the Show.

This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly how to become an elite all-around player in MLB The Show 25, from understanding attribute importance and mastering ambush hitting to perfecting reaction-based fielding, new base running mechanics, MLB The Show 25 Stubs, and optimal camera angles.

1. Understanding Attributes: What Truly Matters in MLB The Show 25

Player ratings have always been a backbone of gameplay—but not all ratings are created equal. This year, especially, certain attributes matter far more in live gameplay than others.

Tier 1: The Most Important Hitting Attributes

These are the attributes that directly impact your in-game performance at the plate:

Contact (vs. L/R)

Determines your PCI size and overall likelihood of making solid contact.

Biggest factor in consistent hitting.

Power (vs. L/R)

Self-explanatory—your home run and gap power comes from here.

Power isn’t just for hitting HRs, either; it influences exit velocity across the board.

Fielding

How consistently a fielder makes clean plays.

Critical for preventing errors both offline and online.

Reaction

One of the most important attributes in MLB The Show 25.

Low reaction means late breaks on the ball, slow reads, and tons of missed opportunities.

Speed

Determines how quickly a player moves on the basepaths and in the field.

Pairs best with high reaction rather than replacing it.

These ratings directly influence gameplay on every single pitch.

Tier 2: Valuable but Situational Attributes

These matter, but not as heavily:

Plate Vision

Expands your timing window and slightly increases PCI.

Great for contact hitters, less impactful for pure power players.

Clutch

When runners are in scoring position, Clutch replaces Contact.

If your batter has high clutch but low contact, they become better in RBI situations.

Arm Strength & Accuracy

Great for outfielders and hot-corner infielders.

Affects relay throws, cutoffs, and plate plays.

Blocking (Catchers Only)

If you’re catching a lot online or in RTTS, this prevents passed balls and wild pitches.

Stealing

Useful, but limited this year due to new baserunning animations.

Tier 3: Attributes That Rarely Affect User-Controlled Gameplay

These mostly matter for simming:

Discipline – Mostly affects check swings and simulation

Bunting / Drag Bunting – Only useful for niche cheese strategies

Durability – For franchise or long RTTS seasons

Baserunning Aggressiveness – CPU-only attribute

2. Pitching Attributes: What Matters on the Mound

Pitching ratings in MLB The Show 25 are much more balanced—nearly everything matters:

Stamina

How long a pitcher can go before losing control and velocity.

H/9 (Hits Per Nine)

Reduces opponent PCI size, limiting solid contact.

K/9 (Strikeouts Per Nine)

Helps generate more swings and misses.

BB/9 (Walks Per Nine)

Increases command and shrinks pitch accuracy randomness.

Pitch Clutch

Just like hitting, replaces H/9 with runners in scoring position.

Individual Pitch Ratings (Control / Break / Velocity)

Do not rely on the overall Control/Break numbers.

Check each pitch individually—some pitchers have elite sliders but awful changeups.

HR/9

Only affects simulation—NOT user gameplay.

3. Ambush Hitting: The Biggest New Hitting Mechanic in MLB 25

Ambush Hitting is brand new, and many players misunderstand it.

It is NOT Guess Pitch.

How Ambush Hitting Works

You tilt the right analog stick inside or outside before the pitch.

If you ambush inside and the pitch is inside → Your PCI grows significantly.

If you ambush inside but the pitch is outside → Your PCI shrinks dramatically.

Unlike Guess Pitch:

The game never tells you what pitch is coming.

The game never tells you where it is going.

There are no red indicators.

When to Use Ambush Hitting

Use it strategically:

Early in the count

Against pitchers who spam one location

When you expect an inside/outside fastball

When you need a big hit

Avoid it:

Two strikes — penalties can destroy your PCI

Against pitchers who mix locations well

Ambush hitting is high-risk, high-reward—and mastering it will make you lethal online.

4. Fielding: Reaction Ratings & New Animations Change Everything

Fielding has been overhauled.

Reaction Rating Is More Important Than Ever

Low reaction fielders:

Take slow first steps

Misread liners

Let basic ground balls squeak through

Get poor jumps in the outfield

Speed cannot compensate for awful reaction anymore.

Balanced players—75 Reaction / 75 Speed–range—perform way better than 95 speed / 40 reaction outfielders.

New Home Run Robbing Animations

Gone are the days of zigzagging like crazy toward the wall.

New mechanics include:

Smooth approach animations

Cleaner wall tracking

More predictable jump cues

A skill-based timing window

You press R1 slightly before reaching the wall as the indicator shifts into green. Mastering this means you’ll rob way more home runs than in previous years.

Diving Plays Are Still Extremely Strong

Players can cover large distances with dives, especially online due to “glove suction” animations.

Even if you don’t think you can reach the ball:

Press dive.

You’d be shocked how many plays get made that shouldn’t.

5. Base Running: MLB The Show 25 Slows Things Down

Base running has changed dramatically this year.

Players:

Take longer to turn

Cannot instantly reverse direction

Stumble when changing angles

Are easier to throw out on greedy attempts

Key Takeaway:

You must think before you run, not after.

Tagging is harder.

Stretching singles into doubles is harder.

Cheesing CPU throws is harder.

Good baserunners must be smart baserunners in MLB 25.

6. Hitting Controls: Zone, Directional & Timing

Most competitive players use Zone PCI Hitting, as it offers maximum control.

Zone Hitting

Highest skill ceiling

You aim the PCI manually

Best for online Ranked

Directional Hitting

PCI is automated

You just time the pitch

Great for beginners or casual Franchise

Timing Hitting

Simplest system

Focus only on timing

Used occasionally in RTTS or casual offline play

If your goal is to compete online, Zone is mandatory.

But if you’re playing casually? Use whatever you enjoy.

7. Pitching Inputs: Pinpoint & Analog Are Still King

The developers confirmed:

Pinpoint Pitching and Analog Pitching

are the most accurate systems.

Pinpoint

Highest accuracy

Highest difficulty

Best for ranked play

Requires stick precision

Analog

Great balance of skill & ease

High accuracy

Faster to learn than Pinpoint

Meter / Classic

Good for beginners, but less accurate overall.

If you struggle with Pinpoint or Analog, don’t force it—use whatever gives you control.

8. Camera Angles: Choosing the Best Perspectives

Players always ask for the “best” hitting or pitching camera.

Best Cameras for Hitting

Many top players use:

Strike Zone

Strike Zone 2

Strike Zone High

Why?

Close view

Clear strike zone

Easy pitch recognition

Not as cinematic, but far more competitive.

Best Cameras for Pitching

Most top players use similar views to hitting cameras:

Improves zone awareness

Helps read pitch movement

Keeps timing consistent

Ultimately, camera angles are personal preference—but competitive players overwhelmingly use up-close cameras.

9. Final Thoughts: Master MLB The Show 25 Like a Pro

MLB The Show 25 brings deeper and more nuanced gameplay than the franchise has seen in years. Understanding new ratings importance, mastering ambush hitting, adjusting to modern fielding animations buy MLB The Show 25 Stubs, and choosing the right hitting and pitching inputs will give you a massive edge on day one.

If you want to hit more consistently:

Practice PCI control, learn opponents’ tendencies, and ambush smartly.

If you want to pitch like a beast:

Mix locations, use the entire zone, and embrace Pinpoint or Analog.

If you want to dominate in Diamond Dynasty or Franchise:

Prioritize reaction, contact, clutch, and strong defensive fundamentals.

Master these systems early, and you’ll be miles ahead of the competition—whether you’re grinding Ranked Seasons, rebuilding in Franchise, or creating a Hall of Famer in Road to the Show.