How These Skills Work Together in MLB The Show 25
When it comes to hitting in MLB The Show 25, the process might seem simple—just swing at MLB The Show 25 Stubs the ball and try to make contact. But behind every successful at-bat lies a complex synergy of three core skills: Pitch Recognition, Timing, and Plate Discipline. Mastering each individually is crucial, but the real magic happens when you learn to integrate all three seamlessly. Together, they form the foundation for consistent, powerful, and strategic hitting that can carry you through any difficulty level or game mode.

The Interplay of Pitch Recognition, Timing, and Plate Discipline
Imagine an at-bat as a chain of decisions and actions, each one flowing naturally from the last:

Pitch Recognition is the earliest decision point: What is the pitch type? Where is it located? How is it moving?

Plate Discipline is your mental filter that determines whether you commit to swinging or hold back.

Timing is the mechanical execution of your swing, syncing with the pitch’s arrival to maximize contact quality.

If any link in this chain breaks, the at-bat can fail—whether it’s swinging at a breaking ball out of the zone, mistiming a fastball, or hesitating on a hittable pitch. Let’s explore how each skill affects and supports the others.

1. Pitch Recognition Drives Your Decision to Swing or Take
Your ability to identify pitch type and location as early as possible governs how you approach the plate and whether you swing. Recognizing a fastball early means you can prepare to attack; identifying a curveball breaking low might lead you to take the pitch or hold off.

For example, if you recognize the pitcher is throwing a high fastball, you can set your Plate Coverage Indicator (PCI) higher and prepare to swing aggressively. Conversely, if you detect a changeup or slider breaking away, you can choose to hold your swing or even lay off the pitch entirely.

Without solid pitch recognition, your Plate Discipline suffers because you’re forced to guess blindly. This often results in chasing pitches outside the zone, leading to weak contact or buy MLB Stubs strikeouts.