MLB 25 was a pretty good game, with upgrades in graphics and player simulation, and you could even simulate or recreate recent games. As 2025 draws to a close, preparations for MLB The Show 26 have already begun

MLB The Show 26 builds upon this title with further improvements, including changes to graphics, gameplay, and Franchise Mode. Since MLB 26 won't be released until next year, we can only speculate on whether these changes will be even better based on the official announcements.

Gameplay

Defense And Animation Enhancements

The development team has been striving to make the game more realistic, allowing players to simulate any situation that occurs in the game as closely as possible. Therefore, they have added more animations, and below are some of the animations they have released.

New Catches On The Run Animation

The new animations allow outfielders to cover bases and throw in a more realistic and efficient manner.

New Cut Off Throws Animations

New animations allow corner infielders (first and third basemen) to handle the ball more naturally and prevent runners from advancing extra bases.

Knee Down Catchers Animations

A complete new animation set has been added for kneeling catchers to support smarter, more realistic movements. This is a defensive approach different from the traditional crouching catcher.

In addition to the new animations, player attributes will also be adjusted. In MLB The Show 25, Pop Time existed as Quirk. Now it will be a rating scale of 1-99, giving each catcher a different level of this ability to assess their speed in throwing to second base to stop runners.

Reaction attributes will also be further subdivided in MLB 26, divided into four directions: forward, backward, left, and right. This more realistically simulates the differences in outfielders' reaction abilities to balls coming from different directions, as some players are better at rushing to catch the ball, while others are better at retreating to catch it.

New Features For Ball Strike System

In addition to the above, the official announcement also mentioned several new features in the new game. However, they didn't provide specific details, only stating that the details would be revealed gradually before release.

• Bear Down
• Big Zone Hitting
• PCI Sensitivity
• Fixed Zone
• Free Anchor

PCI Sensitivity is a long-requested feature from players. It primarily adjusts the movement sensitivity of the plate cover indicator (PCI), similar to adjusting aiming sensitivity in a shooting game. High sensitivity allows for faster movement of the crosshair but makes it harder to control accuracy, while low sensitivity has the opposite effect.

Anchor Mirror feature ensures that your ball's anchor point remains at the last set position. This feature may have been partially implemented in MLB The Show 25.

ABS And PitchCom Systems

Automatic Ball Strike Challenge System (ABS) is a system being tested in minor leagues and introduced into the game. It's essentially a robotic referee that can automatically judge the quality of the ball.

This feature will likely be primarily used in single-player modes, such as Franchise mode. Allowing players to challenge calls as batters, pitchers, or catchers will increase the depth and realism of the game, but it could also make simulated umpire errors more frustrating.

PitchCom system, already present in MLB 25 (where catchers indicated pitching positions on lower difficulties), will be further enhanced in the new game.

Franchise Mode

MLB The Show 25 saw improvements in Franchise Mode last year, but it was far from perfect and still needed refinement. The new game features numerous adjustments to this mode. Currently announced changes primarily focus on improving trade content and streamlining Franchise Mode, though these are relatively minor.

MLB 26 will also improve the lineup and rotation logic. The CPU's lineup decisions will be more in line with modern baseball principles. The new logic will consider players' on-base percentage and recent performance, rather than assigning unsuitable players as leadoff hitters.

Road To The Show

While Road to the Show mode received significant improvements in MLB 25, it still failed to satisfy players, and the limited MLB The Show 25 stubs it rewards are hardly appealing.

The new version of MLB 25 adds 11 playable universities to the amateur year introduced last year, including University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Oregon State University Beavers. It will also be announced that players will have more to do later in their careers.

Based on the currently released information, the changes to Road to the Show haven't satisfied players. Simply adding a few more schools to the existing very short college season without extending the season is merely a superficial change lacking substantial content. Adding more schools is less effective than deeply developing each of the 20 schools, motivating players to experience the unique characteristics of each.

The promise of more to do later in their careers likely just refers to the addition of a formal retirement process, which also fails to provide long-term motivation for play.

What Improvements Are Needed?

While MLB The Show 25 has received much praise from players, there are still some issues that need to be addressed in the new game, namely network connectivity.

Due to latency and instability in online connections, the actual hitting feel is distorted, making the online game feel one level harder than advertised. While the offline gameplay is very smooth and excellent, it's a completely different experience compared to playing against real people, so this is something that urgently needs to be addressed.

Although there's some cool content, the amount of information about the new game isn't huge. In particular, details about updates to the management and career modes are limited, but we should see more in-depth information about the game modes closer to release.

Aside from games that originated primarily on mobile platforms, other sports video simulation games that originated on consoles have almost never focused on mobile platforms, such as MLB The Show series.

There are many reasons for this, such as industry competition or technological limitations. However, with the growing influence of mobile games and their players, expanding to other platforms seems to be an inevitable trend.

Based on this, MLB The Show 25 recently revealed some big news: the game will be available on mobile platforms! Although this plan is still in the soft launch stage and has not yet been released globally, it is already very exciting.

Next, we will unlock the specific details and impact of this plan, as well as what players think about it.

What Will The Game Be Like On Mobile?

First, it's important to clarify that MLB The Show's entry into the mobile platform is not a direct port of the existing MLB 25 console content to mobile phones, but rather the development of a dedicated mobile version.

Frankly, while console games receive annual updates, the overall gameplay remains largely unchanged unless new modes are added. Therefore, the mobile version is expected to be based on the main game modes.

However, given that mobile devices cannot match consoles in terms of memory, graphics, and sound effects, the focus will likely be more on collecting and drawing player cards, while the baseball games themselves will be somewhat weakened.

While this isn't good news for players who prioritize competitive gameplay, the mobile version is designed for anytime, anywhere gaming, not to fully replicate the original game's content.

To compensate for this, the developers will add more mobile-specific features. For example, Ambush Hitting system allows you to predict the ball's trajectory by tapping specific locations on the screen, offering greater precision and ease of use than a controller.

Furthermore, the catch and pass meter will receive haptic feedback on mobile devices, and players will react faster to hits, showcasing the smooth, real-time responsiveness unique to mobile devices.

More importantly, the mobile platform will add a first-person catching perspective to Road to the Show mode, using the phone's gyroscope to control catching actions, making the game more fun and realistic.

Exclusive Optimizations

In addition to the newly added features, MLB The Show 25 development team will also design exclusive optimizations based on the limitations of the mobile, allowing the game to adapt to the new platform while gaining irreplaceable advantages.

For example, Amateur Years gameplay in Road to the Show allows you to experience a player's career through eight different teams from high school to college, using the fragmented gameplay unique to mobile devices.

In the most popular Diamond Dynasty mode, the mobile version will replace Sets and Seasons with a year-round schedule to avoid progress reset issues when collecting cards. Furthermore, Diamond Quest will also receive more diverse gameplay.

What Do Players Think?

Although the official release date for MLB The Show 25 or the subsequent 26 version on mobile has not yet been announced, this plan is already enough to make players excited and anticipate.

This means you can jump into the game anytime with an internet connection and enough battery for a simple virtual baseball game or to upgrade your players, without having to consume time in front of a console screen to do so.

However, some players are wondering: if it's playable on mobile, why isn't there a PC version? Porting the game to PC is feasible from both a hardware and software perspective; at least FC 26 is playable on PC.

While the reason is unknown, considering the profit-driven nature of businesses, perhaps it's because mobile players are more willing to conduct in-game transactions. This raises another concern: will the mobile version of MLB become a pure "gacha machine"?

These players say they want a true mobile version of MLB The Show, not a new card collection game - in fact, there are already many such games on the market, and they're quite good.

Based on this, one viewpoint suggests that MLB The Show 25's priority release on mobile over PC is an excuse for the current monotonous console gameplay and subpar graphics:

While you complain about these issues, they tell you it's a necessary compromise to cater to players on different platforms.

In short, while players are happy to see more platforms available, they seem more concerned about PC version's development progress. Although there are rumors that it's planned, it's still significantly behind the mobile version.

Cross-Platform Compatibility Is Inevitable

Regardless of your opinion or others', it's a fact that MLB The Show will one day launch a mobile version.

Given the competition from other existing mobile sports games, attracting new players from MLB 25 on mobile will inevitably face obstacles. Therefore, it's crucial to consider the experience of existing players, such as by introducing cross-platform gameplay.

This way, the progress you make in the console version and MLB The Show 25 Stubs you earn will be directly synced to your mobile game account, avoiding the hassle of creating and switching accounts.

Furthermore, cross-platform compatibility means an increased number of players online simultaneously, allowing you to find opponents and start matches much faster.

However, to avoid an unbalanced gaming environment due to hardware differences between players using different devices, the game should allow you can decide whether to enable cross-platform functionality or mixed matchmaking freely.

In general, almost every game is now available on almost more platforms, so MLB 25's decision is not surprising. The key is how to create mobile games that players will appreciate - and there's still a long way to go.

After nearly a year of updates, MLB The Show 25 is nearing its end. It has released its final Inning Program, 11th Inning Program. It has no end date; rather, it will end when MLB 25 servers shut down.

The rewards for MLB The Show 25 11th Inning Program will include all Boss Choice Packs from 1st to 10th Inning Programs. As long as you accumulate XP, you will eventually be able to obtain all the rewards.

MLB The Show 25 11th Inning Program Rewards

• 3,000 XP: MLB The Show 25 Now & Later Pack
• 7,500 XP: Cornerstone Rewind Pack
• 12,500 XP: MLB The Show 25 Now & Later Pack
• 17,500 XP: 1,000 Stubs
• 22,500 XP: XP Path Rewind Path Pack
• 27,500 XP: Ballin' is a Habit pack
• 35,000 XP: MLB The Show 25 Now & Later Pack
• 42,500 XP: 1,000 Stubs
• 50,000 XP: 85+ Live Series Pack
• 57,500 XP: 1st Inning Boss Choice Pack
• 65,000 XP: 1,000 Stubs
• 72,500 XP: MLB The Show 25 Now & Later Pack
• 80,000 XP: 2nd Inning Boss Choice Pack
• 87,500 XP: Headliners pack
• 95,000 XP: 1,000 Stubs
• 105,000 XP: MLB The Show 25 Now & Later Pack
• 115,000 XP: 3rd Inning Boss Choice Pack
• 125,000 XP: 1,000 Stubs
• 135,000 XP: 4th Inning Boss Choice Pack
• 145,000 XP: Deluxe Choice Pack
• 155,000 XP: 5th Inning Boss Choice Pack
• 165,000 XP: MLB The Show 25 Now & Later Pack
• 175,000 XP: 6th Inning Boss Choice Pack
• 185,000 XP: MLB The Show 25 Now & Later Pack
• 195,000 XP: 7th Inning Boss Choice Pack
• 205,000 XP: 1,500 Stubs
• 220,000 XP: Deluxe Choice Pack
• 235,000 XP: 8th Inning Boss Choice Pack
• 250,000 XP: MLB The Show 25 Now & Later Pack
• 265,000 XP: 9th Inning Boss Choice Pack
• 280,000 XP: 85+ OVR Live Series Pack
• 295,000 XP: 10th Inning Boss Choice Pack
• 310,000 XP: 2,000 Stubs
• 325,000 XP: MLB The Show 25 Now & Later Pack
• 340,000 XP: 88+ Live Series Pack

After you have earned 340,000 XP and claimed all rewards, you will receive a random reward for every 30,000 XP earned. If you've collected all the bosses from the 1st Inning Program to 10th Inning Program, you'll receive a 50,000 XP voucher to speed up your progress. Players who haven't completed the collection can trade for missing Boss cards on Player Market using MLB The Show 25 stubs.

Boss Choice Pack Players

1st Inning Boss Choice Pack

• 88 OVR Adrian Beltre
• 88 OVR Manny Ramirez
• 88 OVR Mark McGwire

2nd Inning Boss Choice Pack

• 90 OVR Bob Gibson
• 90 OVR Josh Gibson
• 90 OVR Ken Griffey Jr.

3rd Inning Boss Choice Pack

• 92 OVR Trevor Story
• 92 OVR Eric Gagne
• 92 OVR Bernie Williams

4th Inning Boss Choice Pack

• 94 OVR Derek Jeter
• 94 OVR Nolan Ryan
• 94 OVR Hank Greenberg

5th Inning Boss Choice Pack

• 97 OVR Hank Aaron
• 97 OVR Chipper Jones
• 97 OVR Greg Maddux

6th Inning Boss Choice Pack

• 99 OVR Corey Kluber
• 99 OVR Ted Simmons
• 99 OVR Chase Utley

7th Inning Boss Choice Pack

• 99 OVR Steve Carlton
• 99 OVR Chase Headley
• 99 OVR David Ortiz

8th Inning Boss Choice Pack

• 99 OVR Vladimir Guerrero
• 99 OVR Pedro Martinez
• 99 OVR Mike Piazza

9th Inning Boss Choice Pack

• 99 OVR Andrew McCutchen
• 99 OVR Chris Sale
• 99 OVR Corey Seager

10th Inning Boss Choice Pack

• 99 OVR Aroldis Chapman
• 99 OVR Nick Kurtz
• 99 OVR Juan Soto

How To Get XP?

There isn't a great way to accumulate XP in MLB The Show 25. Generally, you can get XP by playing various modes. The more you play, the faster you accumulate XP. However, the official guide still provides some ways to earn XP:

• 5,000 XP: Earn 2,025 PXP in any game mode (5,000 XP)
• 7,500 XP: Score 25 long hits in any game mode (7,500 XP)
• 10,000 XP: Get 250 bases (10,000 XP)
• 10,000 XP: Record 250 strikeouts (10,000 XP)
• 15,000 XP: Score 250 runs (15,000 XP)

11th Inning Program mainly features reissued cards, with rewards including 85+ Live Series Pack, 88+ Live Series Pack, Deluxe Choice Pack, Chase Player Pack, and MLB The Show 25 stubs. This gives players who missed out on key cards in the past one last chance to obtain them for free, which is very helpful for completing Collections missions.

Furthermore, the total progress of this plan is only 340,000 points, after which there are numerous rerun rewards, and the plan is practically permanent, making it much easier than the perpetual plan that required millions of points in previous years.

MLB The Show 25 Now & Later Pack

If you acquire this type of MLB The Show 25 Now & Later Pack in MLB The Show 25, you can not only open it now, but you will also automatically receive another one in your inventory when MLB The Show 26 is officially released. This is a benefit inherited from this year's mechanism, allowing you to accumulate resources in advance for the next game.

Although there will be some updates at the end of the year, such as Captain Blizzard Program and new mini seasons, major content updates are basically over. Hope you have a great year!