MLB The Show 25’s Road to the Show mode offers an immersive experience where players can build their own mlb 25 stubsbaseball career from scratch. One of the most iconic positions you can play is shortstop, which comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. The shortstop is expected to be both a defensive powerhouse and an offensive contributor. If you’re looking to craft the perfect shortstop for your RTTS career, here are a few tips to help you stand out in the field and at the plate.
1. Defense First: Establishing a Strong Foundation
As a shortstop, defense is your number-one priority. You’ll need to excel in fielding, reaction time, arm strength, and accuracy. Focus on building up your Fielding and Reaction Time attributes early on in your career. These skills will help you react quickly to balls that are hit to your side of the field and allow you to cover more ground. High fielding stats ensure that you won’t miss easy plays, which is critical at the shortstop position.
Along with fielding, your Arm Strength and Arm Accuracy will come into play when making long throws across the diamond to first base or when turning double plays. A shortstop who struggles with throwing accuracy will find themselves making costly errors, so make sure to invest in these attributes to improve your defense.
2. Speed and Agility: Covering Ground Efficiently
Shortstops are often expected to cover a large area of the field, especially when balls are hit deep in the hole or toward the left side of the infield. Speed and agility are key components for excelling at this position. Boosting your Speed rating will allow you to move quickly to reach those hard-hit balls, while high Agility will help you get into position to make quick turns on double plays.
Having great Speed can also be an asset on the base paths, where you can steal bases or take advantage of any opportunities to advance. Invest in these attributes to ensure that your shortstop is both an asset defensively and an all-around contributor.
3. Balanced Hitting Skills
While shortstops are known for their defense, being able to contribute offensively is equally important in RTTS. Focus on Contact and Batting Vision as your primary batting attributes. These will help you make consistent contact with the ball and avoid chasing bad pitches. Being able to hit for average will help you get on base and provide more opportunities for your team.
You don’t need to have immense power to succeed as a shortstop, but boosting your Power stats—particularly against left- or right-handed pitchers—can help you add an extra dimension to your offense. Consider focusing on situational hitting and developing a solid bat to be effective in all areas of the game.
4. Mental Approach: Leadership and Baseball IQ
Your role as a shortstop extends beyond physical attributes; mental skills play an equally significant part in your success. Shortstops are expected to be leaders on the field. Whether it’s calling for a cut-off throw or organizing a double play, your Baseball IQ and Leadership skills are important for managing the defense.
Building up these mental attributes ensures that your shortstop will always be making smart decisions, whether in critical moments of a game or in routine situations. A high Leadership rating can also help improve your teammates’ performance, making you a more valuable asset to the team as you move up the ranks.
5. Versatility and Adaptability
Finally, don’t overlook the importance of versatility. While you may start as a shortstop, there are many opportunities for you to play other positions if needed. If you find yourself struggling for playing time at shortstop, consider developing secondary positions like second base or third base. Having the ability to play multiple spots increases your chances of getting promoted and playing regularly.
Being adaptable will also make you more valuable to your team, especially if you want to make it to the big leagues quickly. Keep an open mind and be willing to switch positions if it helps your career.
Conclusion
Building the perfect shortstop in MLB The Show 25’s Road to the Show requires a mix of solid defense, offensive capability, and mental toughness. Focus on developing your fielding, speed, agility, and batting skills to ensure you become a well-rounded player. Invest time in your leadership abilities and IQ to become a true asset on the field. Lastly, remain adaptable to position changes, which could be critical in securing your place in the major leagues. With the right balance of skills, you can craft the perfect shortstop and lead your team to success.