The latest installment of MLB The Show 25 has brought significant changes to its beloved Road to the Show (RTTS) mode, particularly in the amateur baseball experience. From high school dominance to the intense College World Series (CWS), players now have more opportunities to shape their virtual careers before entering the MLB draft. After spending time with the game early, one thing is clear: MLB The Show 25 is making strides MLB 25 Stubs in realism, player progression, and gameplay mechanics—though there's still room for improvement.

The Journey from High School to College

The Road to the Show journey begins in high school, where players aim to dominate on the diamond and boost their draft stock. The goal? Becoming the number one overall pick. After a strong high school performance, the next step is college baseball, where the competition intensifies. In MLB The Show 25, players join the Texas Longhorns (one of eight officially branded teams) and compete in the College World Series—a high-stakes tournament that can make or break a prospect's draft position.

While the inclusion of college baseball is a welcome addition, the presentation lacks depth. The game doesn't fully capture the unique atmosphere of college baseball. The stadiums, while visually close to the real-life Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska, don't quite replicate the pageantry of the CWS. Additionally, players wear the same uniforms every game, missing an opportunity to showcase the tradition and individuality of each school.

Gameplay Innovations: Ambush Hitting and Dynamic Challenges

One of the most exciting new features in MLB The Show 25 is Ambush Hitting, a mechanic that allows players to prioritize a specific part of the strike zone for an advantage. Unlike the old "guess pitch" system, Ambush doesn't reveal the pitch type or location—instead, it adjusts the size of the Plate Coverage Indicator (PCI) based on where the ball is thrown. If a player anticipates an inside fastball and gets one, their PCI expands, making it easier to square up the ball.

This system rewards smart hitting strategies and adds a layer of realism. As noted in the gameplay, ambushing inside pitches can lead to powerful pull-side home runs, while misjudging the zone can result in weak contact. It's a dynamic feature that makes each at-bat feel more strategic.

Another improvement is the introduction of Dynamic Challenges, which provide in-game objectives that reward players with attribute upgrades. These challenges range from driving in runs with runners in scoring position to making clutch defensive plays. Completing them accelerates player progression, a welcome change from the restrictive archetype system of past years.

The College World Series: High Stakes, Big Rewards

The CWS in MLB The Show 25 is a best-of-three series where every performance matters. Scouts from all 30 MLB teams are watching, and a strong showing can skyrocket a player's draft stock. In the gameplay example, a monster home run in Game 1 against Tennessee turned heads, with every team now expressing interest in drafting the prospect.

However, the championship game against LSU proved challenging. A late-game slump—including a strikeout with the game on the line—showed that even top prospects can crumble under pressure. The game does a great job of capturing these dramatic moments, with broadcast-style cutscenes of dejected players after a tough loss.

Player Progression and Customization

One of the biggest criticisms of past RTTS iterations was the lack of control over player progression. MLB The Show 25 addresses this by allowing players to allocate skill points freely. Want to focus solely on power against right-handed pitchers? Go for it. Prefer a balanced approach? That's an option too.

Tokens earned from gameplay can be spent on attribute upgrades, and the progression feels faster than in previous years. Starting as a 49 overall prospect, players can quickly climb into the 60s and beyond with strong performances. This flexibility makes RTTS feel more like an RPG, where choices directly impact development.

Room for Improvement

While MLB The Show 25 makes significant strides, there are still areas that need refinement:

- College Atmosphere: The lack of school-specific traditions, alternate uniforms, and deeper presentation elements makes the college experience feel generic.

- AI Tendencies: Opponents bunt excessively in high school and college games, which feels unrealistic compared to real-life amateur baseball.

- Knuckleball Physics: The movement of knuckleballs in the game is exaggerated, making them nearly unhittable—something that doesn't align with reality.

- Teammate Continuity: It would be immersive if key college teammates (like Chase and Lorenzo Spears) followed players into their MLB careers, similar to past NBA 2K features.

Final Thoughts

MLB The Show 25 delivers a more engaging Road to the Show experience with its expanded amateur baseball journey, innovative hitting mechanics, and improved progression system. The College World Series adds a thrilling layer of competition, and the new Ambush Hitting feature is a game-changer.

That said, the mode could benefit from deeper college baseball immersion and more realistic AI behavior. Despite these minor flaws, RTTS in MLB The Show 25 is the most fun it's been in years, offering players true agency over their virtual careers.

For aspiring pros, the message is clear: cheap MLB The Show 25 Stubs dominate in high school, shine in the College World Series, and prove you're worthy of being the number one pick. The draft awaits—will you rise to the occasion?