Mixed-Speed Reaction Drill
In Custom Practice, set the pitcher to MLB The Show 25 Stubs throw only a fastball and changeup.
Alternate speeds randomly.
Your goal: swing only at fastballs in the strike zone.
If you swing at a changeup, pause and note the release cue you missed.
This trains you to recognize velocity differences instantly.
Breaking Ball Recognition Drill
Set the pitcher to throw curveballs and sliders only.
Take every pitch unless it’s in the exact middle of the strike zone.
Watch for the red-dot slider spin and the looping curveball drop.
This sharpens your ability to lay off junk pitches that break out of the zone.
Game Simulation – 2-Strike Discipline
Play a full 9-inning game on your usual difficulty.
With two strikes, refuse to swing unless you clearly identify the pitch as hittable.
Accept strikeouts if you’re fooled—this is a training exercise.
This builds plate discipline under pressure.
Mental Keys for Pitch Recognition
Have a plan each at-bat. Sit on one pitch type in one location early in the count. If you don’t get it, let it go.
Don’t try to cover everything. Narrow your focus and adjust only when behind in the count.
Trust your eyes. If the pitch looks wrong, it probably is.
Review strikeouts. Watch replays to cheap MLB The Show 25 Stubs see where your recognition failed—was it release point, spin, or movement?