MLB The Show 21 is available now for players who chose to pre order and get off the bench faster with Early Access, and that means it’s time to master the batting controls.
With a plethora of options and hitting interfaces to choose from, it can be daunting to know how to set yourself up for success in MLB The Show 21.
This guide will go through controls, tips, best options, and more for batting or hitting in MLB The Show 21.
Hitting Controls in MLB The Show 21
Ultimately, batting is all about timing, but knowing the controls can help you keep focused elsewhere when hitting in MLB The Show 21.
Zone Interface, for which the controls are seen above, is the most common and most widely used hitting style in MLB The Show 21.
However, you can choose to simplify things a bit if you’d prefer and go with the Directional Interface.
The controls for Directional Hitting are simpler, but because of that offer less accuracy and effectiveness based on your own input.
Hitting Tips for Beginners
If you’re new to MLB The Show 21, there are some quick tips to keep in mind that will improve your batting as you play the game.
If you’re using the Zone Interface, take note of the high sensitivity when moving the PCI, and try to only make slightly movements rather than adjusting it largely in any direction.
Be patient when batting. Some pitches aren’t meant to be swung at, and learning to err on the side of caution if something looks wide can become a major benefit.
Against each pitcher you face, watch their pitching motion closely to try and determine when the pitch is released, as getting a good feel for this will help you identify what kinds of pitches might be coming.
While the frequency of certain pitches can vary based on pitcher and situation, consider how many balls and strikes there are and you can usually expect a fastball in the strike zone if the ball count is high.
Swing Types in MLB The Show 21
There are four types of swings in MLB The Show 21, but many players suggest only focusing on the simplest one.
The normal swing can be the most effective in the game at times, despite the simplistic approach that might seem to be.
Power swings are harder to connect with, but can have a major payoff when done right.
Using a contact swing is generally for when you absolutely need to connect with the ball, but you may often be just as well off using a normal swing in that situation.
The final swing type is a bunt, which can be used early for a sacrifice bunt or late for a drag bunt, and those will only apply in certain situations.
Best Batting Options
The way you choose to set up your batting options in MLB The Show 21 can come down largely to personal preference, but there are a few settings many players find helpful.
One of the most crucial is changing the Hitting View to Strike Zone. While not quite as pleasant a view, this zoomed in option makes it easier to focus on a track the pitching as it’s coming towards the batter.
The other main change that is often made is adjusting the aesthetics of the Plate Coverage Indicator (PCI).
Many players prefer Diamonds, Inner Wedge, and Outer None to keep things simple and less cluttered as you focus on an incoming pitch, but go with what helps you most.
Batting Stances
If you’re making a Ballplayer in MLB The Show 21, it can be difficult to decide whether to choose one of the preset batting stances or to make one of your own.
While their impact can vary, a few batting stances that return in MLB The Show 21 have been proven boosts for certain batting styles in recent years.
If you aim to focus on power, using the stances for Max Muncy and Anthony Rendon are a good call, whereas Chipper Jones 2008 from the Former Players section of batting stances is a great all-around choice.
If you feel like your custom stance could be causing issues and want something others have had success with in the past, give these batting stances a try instead.
Using Practice Mode
While nailing the timing for hitting in MLB The Show 21 can take lots of practice, the good news is that Practice Mode has been majorly improved this year.
Not only can you choose which players to practice with and against, but you can even specify where you want pitches to land.
If you’re struggling particularly against high and inside pitches, you can select those zones and focus your practice against that kind of ball.
It’s also a good idea to practice against different kinds of pitches and get used to how they usually travel and land, which will help you out long-term in MLB The Show 21.
Pure Analog and Check Swings
If you’re looking to master check swings in MLB The Show 21, you’ll have to use the less popular Pure Analog Interface for hitting.
While more difficult to use, one benefit of Pure Analog is being able to release part-way through a swing in order to do a check swing.
If you realize during a swing that a ball is heading further to the outside than you’d anticipated, you can check that swing and pull back in hopes it’s called a ball and not a strike because of your swing.
MLB The Show 20 included a player discipline rating in the execution of check swings, but that’s been removed entirely and it’s 100% reliant on user input this year.
