When you start your Road to the Show journey in MLB The Show 25, one of the most important early decisions you'll make has nothing to do with your player's stats or position, it's their batting stance. While your stance might seem like just a cosmetic choice, it can directly influence how comfortable you feel at the plate and, ultimately, how successful you are at making contact and driving the ball.

 

Even though developer San Diego Studio insists that every stance is mechanically equal, experienced players know that certain animations simply feel better. These tried-and-true stances have been delivering results for years, and knowing which ones to choose can give you a slight but meaningful edge in both Road to the Show and Diamond Dynasty. And let's be honest, more hits means better in-game performance, which can translate into earning more rewards like packs, XP, and those all-important MLB The Show 25 Stubs to strengthen your roster.

 

Why Your Batting Stance Matters

 

In MLB The Show 25, your batting stance influences how you track the ball, how early or late your swing feels, and even how well you read pitches. While attributes and timing are still the most important factors, a stance that matches your preferred hitting style can help you react faster and make more consistent contact.

 

The batting stance also impacts your comfort level in different camera angles and your perception of the strike zone. Some stances offer a more open view of the pitcher, while others keep you crouched and compact, giving you the feeling of added control over inside and outside pitches.

 

Decide Your Batting Side

 

Your first major batting choice is handedness, left-handed, right-handed, or switch-hitter. While there's nothing wrong with committing to one side, creating a switch-hitter offers the biggest advantage in MLB The Show 25. This allows you to always bat from the stronger side against opposing pitchers, increasing your odds of getting favorable matchups in both Road to the Show and other modes like Diamond Dynasty.

 

Choose Your Swing Type

 

Swing type is another subtle but important choice. Even though every swing type is balanced in theory, player consensus suggests that two-handed swings feel more consistent. In particular, Two-Handed Style 6 stands out, it's quick, compact, and generates plenty of power without sacrificing timing. Many users report that this style helps them drive the ball for extra-base hits and home runs, making it ideal for those aiming to dominate in RTTS or earn more resources like MLB The Show 25 Stubs through in-game achievements.

 

Best Batting Stances in MLB The Show 25

 

If you want proven results, these are some of the most popular and effective stances you can choose from:

 

Mike Trout: A fan favorite for its balance of power and control.

 

Legend Stance 7 (based on Barry Bonds): Compact yet explosive.

 

Shohei Ohtani: Great for players who like a fluid, athletic stance.

 

Cody Bellinger: Slightly open stance with easy pitch tracking.

 

Jose Ramirez: Solid all-around stance for contact hitters.

 

Rafael Devers: Perfect for those who want a blend of power and gap hitting.

 

Jeff Bagwell: Unique crouched stance that can throw pitchers off.

 

Justin Turner: Comfortable setup for consistent timing.

 

While Mike Trout's stance is the most common, Jeff Bagwell's deep crouch can create a smaller strike zone, making it harder for the CPU or online opponents to get strikes past you.

 

Customizing Your Stance in Road to the Show

 

One of MLB The Show 25's strengths is the ability to fine-tune your batting stance to perfectly match your tendencies. After selecting a base stance, head into the customization options where you can adjust offsets and angles for your hands, elbows, hips, and feet.

 

Here's what each setting can influence:

 

Hand Offset X: Lower = better on late swings; Higher = better on early swings

 

Hand Offset Y: Lower = better vs. low pitches; Higher = better vs. high pitches

 

Hand Offset Z: Lower = better vs. outside pitches; Higher = better vs. inside pitches

 

Hand Rotation: Lower = better vs. high pitches; Higher = better vs. low pitches

 

Hand Waggle Rotation: Similar to hand rotation, but with more visual rhythm

 

Back Elbow Offset: Lower = improved contact swings; Higher = improved power swings

 

Front Elbow Offset: Lower = better vs. low pitches; Higher = better vs. high pitches

 

Hips Offset X: Lower = better on late swings; Higher = better on early swings

 

Hips Offset Y: Lower = better vs. high pitches; Higher = better vs. low pitches

 

Hips Offset Z: Lower = better vs. inside pitches; Higher = better vs. outside pitches

 

Forward Foot Offset Z: Higher = push hits more; Lower = pull hits more

 

Forward Foot Offset X: Lower = better contact on late swings; Higher = better contact on early swings

 

Even minor changes can make a noticeable difference. If you find yourself consistently missing certain pitch locations, tweaking these values can help cover weaknesses and amplify strengths.

 

Testing and Adapting Your Stance

 

Don't expect to find your perfect batting stance right away. The best approach is to play several games with your chosen stance, review your performance, and make small adjustments. The flexibility in MLB The Show 25 means you can continually adapt as you progress through Road to the Show and other game modes.

 

In Diamond Dynasty, for example, using a familiar batting stance across multiple cards can help you perform better. More hits, more home runs, and more wins can all lead to increased XP, packs, and the chance to earn extra MLB 25 Stubs to strengthen your team.

 

Final Thoughts

 

While attributes, timing, and pitch recognition are still king in MLB The Show 25, the right batting stance can be the subtle difference that elevates your performance. Whether you stick with a legendary player's animation like Mike Trout or Barry Bonds, or customize your own for maximum comfort, your stance should fit your strengths and adapt to your weaknesses.

 

A great batting stance won't just help you in Road to the Show, it can pay dividends in every mode, making it easier to rack up in-game rewards, secure more wins, and pile up MLB The Show 25 Stubs without extra grind.

 

Pick wisely, tweak often, and before long, you'll be sending baseballs into the stands with confidence and style.