Before entering the diamond, you need to master all the MLB The Show 25 controls, as it will give you a huge advantage over your opponents and make it easier to become an elite MLB The Show player.
Luckily for you, our MLB The Show 25 Controls Guide has you covered! We will go over everything you need to know about the game's controls, helping you become a master of the diamond!
MLB The Show 25 Controls Guide
The MLB The Show 25 controls have four pillars, hitting, baserunning, pitching, and fielding. All are equally important, and to become an elite player, you need to master all four.
In this guide, we will teach you what each one of them does and what you need to do to master them. Mastering these controls will help you achieve success in MLB The Show 25, be it in Diamond Dynasty, Franchise mode, or the revamped Road to the Show.
Hitting Controls for PlayStation & Xbox
Connecting with your bat in the middle of the ball and sending it out of the park feels incredibly satisfying. But hitting isn't only about that, sometimes a bunt is all you need to score, or placing the ball in between the outfielders is enough for your player to reach home base and put one more point on the scoreboard.
There are three types of hitting controls: Buttons Swing Input, Analog Flick Swing Input, and Analog Stride Swing Input. The Buttons Swing Input are the easiest controls to master, and we recommend you use them if you are new to MLB The Show.
Command | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
Normal Swing | X | A |
Contact Swing | O | B |
Power Swing | Square | X |
Bunt | Triangle | Y |
Anchor PCI | Press Left Stick | Press Left Stick |
Move PCI | Left Stick | Left Stick |
In the Buttons Swing Input, you simply need to choose what type of swing you want to perform by clicking on it, and then clicking again once the ball is in hitting distance.
With a power swing, you will hit the ball with tremendous power. The contact swing is not as powerful but it covers a bigger area of the plate, making it easier to make contact with the ball. As for normal swing, it has elements of both swing types and is arguably the best one to use in most scenarios.
The Analog Flick Swing Input controls are a little bit trickier, but they also give you more control over your swings. It's perfect for veteran MLB The Show players or those who are confident in their skills.
Command | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
Normal Swing | Right Stick Up | Right Stick Up |
Contact Swing | Right Stick Left or Right | Right Stick Left or Right |
Power Swing | Right Stick Down, then flick Up | Right Stick Down, then flick Up |
Timing is the name of the game when using the Analog Flick Swing Input controls, as you need to initiate the swing at the perfect time. It's much harder than the Buttons Swing Input, but also has more upside, as you can use the left stick to control where you want to hit the ball.
Last but not least, we have the Analog Stride Swing Input, which includes elements of both swing controls. In this swing input, you use the buttons to select which swing you want to perform and then use the right stick to swing at the ball.
Command | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
Set Normal Swing | X (Before pitch delivery) | A (Before pitch delivery) |
Set Contact Swing | O (Before pitch delivery) | B (Before pitch delivery) |
Set Power Swing | Square (Before pitch delivery) | X (Before pitch delivery) |
Swing | RS Down to start batter stride RS Up to initiate swing | RS Down to start batter stride RS Up to initiate swing |
Another very important part of the hitting controls is the Hitting Interface. There are three Hitting Interface options: Zone, Directional, and Timing.
In the Zone interface, you can use the left stick to move the PCI indicator, and then use it again to swing at the ball once it's close to the plate.
Directional, as the name indicates, allows you to choose in which direction you want to hit the ball, at the same type you are performing the swing motion.
As for Timing, you only need to time your swing and the computer will do the rest. While it's the easiest Hitting Interface in MLB The Show 25, is also gives you the least control over where your ball will go.
Pitching Controls for PlayStation & Xbox
Pitching is as important as hitting in MLB The Show 25, as it can prevent your opponents from getting on the board, helping you win plenty of games online and offline.
There are five pitching interfaces in MLB The Show 25: Classic, Meter, Pinpoint, Pulse, and Pure Analog. Classic is the easiest one, so let's start by taking a look at it.
In the Classic pitching interface, you only need to select the pitch you want to throw, choose the location where you want to throw the ball using the left stick and press A or X to deliver the pitch.
Command | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
Selecting Pitch Type | X, O, Square, Triangle, or R1 | A, B, X, Y, or RB |
Locate Pitch | Left Stick | Left Stick |
Start Pitch | X | A |
Pitch Out | L1 + X | LB + A |
Intentional Walk | L1 + Circle | LB + B |
Step Off | L1 | LB |
The Meter pitching interface is slightly more advanced than Classic. You select the pitch you want to perform and choose the location with the left stick, but Meter pitching also allows you to set the power and accuracy of that pitch by pressing A or X.
Pinpoint is a more advanced pitching option. You select the pitch, just like you do in the two previous methods, but you will then aim with the left stick and use the right stick to trace a gesture pattern, which changes according to the pitch you select.
The Pulse pitching interface has elements of both the Meter and Pinpoint. In this pitching option, you select the pitch, aim with the left stick, and then use the A or X when the pulse is at its smallest to deliver a great pitch.
Last but not least, we have the Pure Analog option. In this option, you select the pitch, aim with the left stick, pull back your right stick and then push it forward to perform the pitch, you can also adjust the accuracy of your throw with the right stick.
Fielding Controls for PlayStation & Xbox
Fielding can save you plenty of points, and cost your opponents many. While it's a mechanic that can take you a while to get used to, it's also one that differentiates the good players from the great ones.
The controls aren't that hard to get a hang of, but the fielding awareness you need to become an expert in this area of MLB The Show 25 can only be gained by playing the game and practising a lot.
Command | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
Move Player | Left Stick | Left Stick |
Switch to closest player (without the ball) | L2 | LT |
Throw to Cutoff | L1 | LB |
Throw to Home | X | A |
Throw to 1st Base | O | B |
Throw to 2nd Base | Triangle | Y |
Throw to 3rd Base | Square | X |
Jump/Dive | Right Stick (in direction) | Right Stick (in direction) |
Jump | R1 | RB |
Dive | R2 | RT |
There are three throwing interfaces: Button, Button Accuracy, and Analog.
The easiest one is the Button option, as you only need to click on the button of the base you which to throw to. The rest will depend on your player arm accuracy and other fielding attributes.
Button Accuracy is a more advanced version of the Button option. In this option, you need to hold the button of the base you want to throw to until it reaches the green zone in the meter.
The Analog throwing interface is quite intuitive, as you only need to move the right stick in the direction of the base you want to throw the ball to.
Baserunning Controls for PlayStation & Xbox
To win games you need to put points on the board, and you can't do that without runs. Baserunning is a crucial skill to master, as it will make it easier to get bases as well as steal them.
Command | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
Select Runner | Left Stick toward base runner | Left Stick toward base runner |
Lead Off / Advance Individual | Left stick toward base runner plus: O for 1st Base Triangle for 2nd Base Square for 3rd Base | Left stick toward base runner plus: B for 1st Base Y for 2nd Base X for 3rd Base |
Send 1B | O | B |
Send 2B | Triangle | Y |
Send 3B | Square | X |
Head First Slide | Right Stick Up | Right Stick |
Hook Slide Left | Right Stick Left | Right Stick Left |
Hook Slide Right | Right Stick Right | Right Stick Right |
Feet First Slide | Right Stick Down | Right Stick Down |
Steal Early | L2 - Hold & Release | LT - Hold & Release |
The Baserunning controls allow you to control one or more runners, giving you total control over what you want your players to do. You can choose to play it safe and just get the next base, or risk it all and go for a double steal.
This is everything you need to know about the MLB The Show 25 controls. We hope this guide was useful, and helped you master these controls in an easy and fast manner.