Baseball fans, get ready! MLB The Show 25 arrives on March 18, 2025, bringing new gameplay mechanics, expanded modes, and three cover athletes for the first time in the series’ history. Developed by San Diego Studio, this 20th-anniversary installment introduces enhancements to Road to the Show, Franchise Mode, and Diamond Dynasty, along with new gameplay refinements.
MLB The Show 25 details
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch
Developer(s): San Diego Studio
Publisher(s): Sony Interactive Entertainment
Genre: Sports
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Three cover athletes represent baseball’s future
For the first time ever, MLB The Show 25 features three cover athletes: Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, and Gunnar Henderson. These stars represent baseball’s future, each bringing skills that fit right into MLB The Show 25’s gameplay.
- Paul Skenes made history with a dominant rookie season, earning NL Rookie of the Year and an All-MLB First Team selection.
- Elly De La Cruz became a must-watch player thanks to his electrifying speed, powerful arm, and switch-hitting prowess.
- Gunnar Henderson took the league by storm, winning AL Rookie of the Year and proving himself as a cornerstone for the Baltimore Orioles.
Road to the Show expands with high school and college play
Career mode sees major upgrades with MLB The Show 25, offering more control over your player’s journey. This year, you have more control over your career from the start. Whether you begin in high school or college, your choices shape your path to the majors.
- Start with a two-to-three-game High School stint and a three-to-four-game College showcase in “The Amateur Years.”
- A revamped attribute progression system allows for more personalized player development.
- Authentic High School and College audio brings added realism, with metal bat sounds and chain-link fence rattles.
- New Impact Plays and Quick Time Events add dynamic moments for both position players and baserunners.
Diamond Dynasty Introduces Diamond Quest and Weekend Classic
Diamond Dynasty evolves with new modes and changes that shake up how players compete. MLB The ShoProgression is now more streamlined, and rewards are easier to earn, making every match and decision matter. Whether you’re strategizing your roster or taking on high-stakes challenges, these additions add more variety to the experience.
- Diamond Quest: A board game-style mode that adds a risk-reward element to team building.
- Weekend Classic: A high-stakes competitive multiplayer mode featuring some of the best rewards in the game.
- No More Sets and Seasons: This year, the system is gone, making progression more streamlined.
- Team Affinity Programs: A new way to earn rewards and unlock players unique to each MLB team.
Gameplay enhancements and new mechanics
San Diego Studio has added new animations and mechanics to make gameplay feel smoother and more realistic. This year’s improvements focus on realism, responsiveness, and strategy, making every pitch, swing, and defensive play feel more authentic. Hitting and fielding now feel sharper and more responsive, rewarding smart play and quick reactions.
- New Animations: Improved realism with enhanced home run robberies, quick tags, and dynamic catches.
- G.O.A.T. Difficulty: A new ultra-hard mode designed to test even the best players.
- Ambush Hitting: A fresh hitting mechanic that emphasizes a realistic approach at the plate.
- Reaction Time System: Fielding improvements that make defense more responsive and rewarding.
- Franchise Mode Free Agency Overhaul: A new risk-reward system adds more strategy to the offseason, making each signing a crucial decision.
The Negro Leagues returns for Season 3
The celebrated Storylines mode continues with The Negro Leagues Season 3, once again narrated by Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. This edition introduces a new roster of legendary yet underappreciated players, letting you experience their journeys firsthand.
Each chapter highlights a different player, offering a mix of playable moments and documentary-style storytelling that brings their accomplishments to life. Through these stories, MLB The Show 25 continues to preserve and celebrate the history of the Negro Leagues, ensuring that a new generation of baseball fans can appreciate these pioneers of the sport.
MLB The Show 25 releases March 18, 2025
MLB The Show 25 arrives on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on March 18 but you can pre-order it today at Best Buy. This year’s installment builds on the series’ legacy with deeper gameplay, refined mechanics, and new ways to play. Whether you’re developing a future superstar in Road to the Show, crafting a championship team in Franchise Mode, or competing online in Diamond Dynasty, there’s something for every baseball fan.
Which new feature are you most excited to try? Share your thoughts in the comments!
