MLB The Show 23: How To Pitch

With many of you already playing MLB The Show 23, you’ll quickly learn how important it is to get a feel for pitching. Playing defense in baseball starts with pitching, and is the very role and responsibility that will essentially dictate how many runs you will allow but also how much your skill players around you will have to step up to keep you in the game.

The key with pitching in MLB The Show 23, starts with getting a feel for the release point of your pitcher’s throwing motion, considering each pitcher has their very own unique windup. That said, once you get a feel for it, pitching placement is the next vital component to ace, and all too often, can be the tougher of the two components to master. The placement of your pitch, for example, can determine whether the opposing batter pops up or belts one out of the park, and conceding the ladder is the last thing you’ll want to do.

READ MORE: The World Baseball Program Players – MLB The Show 23

Should you be a veteran MLB The Show player who’s looking to sharpen their pitching game, or a newcomer eager to learn the ins and outs, we here at VideoGamer put together our very own guide for how you can succeed with your pitching in MLB The Show 23.

So on that very note, here’s all you need to know about how to pitch in MLB The Show 23.

MLB The Show 23 Pitching Controls

For those that are brand new to pitching in MLB The Show 23, it’s best to get acquainted with the basic controls you will be regularly using. Whether you’re on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, these are the key controls you will be using when stepping onto the mound:

PlayStation

• Pitch Types: X, Circle, Triangle, Square, R1
• Aiming: Left Stick
• Step Off Mound: L1
• Intentional Walk: L1 + Circle
• Pitch Out: L1 + X

Xbox

• Pitches: A, B, Y, X, R1
• Aiming: Left Stick
• Step Off Mound L1
• Intentional Walk: L1 + B
• Pitch Out: L1 + A

Nintendo Switch

• Pitches: B, A, X, Y, R
• Aiming: Left Stick
• Step Off Mound: L
• Intentional Walk: L + B
• Pitch Out: L + A

One tip to keep in mind, is that when you start your pitching motion, you do not need to always tap the button of the pitch you’re selecting. Hitting X for Playstation, A for Xbox, and B for Nintendo Switch will also trigger your pitching motion once you select the pitch you want to throw.

MLB The Show 23 – Pitching Interfaces

The main pitching interfaces in MLB The Show 23 is something you need to get to grips to. Almost every other inning you will need to pitch, so finding comfort levels is important so you aren’t at risk of losing games due to this.

Before we get into the important steps and tips for how to pitch, it’s important to get an idea of which interfaces MLB The Show 23 has available for you to use and choose from. Each interface is uniquely different, with some being easier to execute than others.

The Pitching Interfaces in MLB The Show 23 include:

• Classic
• Meter
• Pinpoint
• Pulse
• Pure Analog Stick

To locate these pitching interfaces, you need to go to visit the ‘Gameplay Settings’, hit R1 on your controller to visit the ‘Control’ page, and then hit R2 to visit the pitching settings.

That said, deciding which one to use and which fits your pitching style best is important. And we’re here to shed light on how each operates and functions down below:

MLB The Show 23 – Pitching Interfaces Explained

Classic

The easiest pitching interface you can use is that of the Classic option. Once equipped, all you need to do is select which pitch you want to use, aim where you want to place it using your left stick, and tap down on that corresponding button for that pitch. If you’re looking for the least amount of engagement and control with your pitching, this is the pitching interface you will want to use.

Meter

One of the most popular and best pitching interfaces to use, is that of the Meter option. Though it takes some time to get a feel for, it can be one of the most reliable ways to place your pitches where you want them. In short, when standing on the mound with your pitcher, you will see a meter pop up right above the strike zone.

Once you select your pitch and aim where you want to place it using your left stick, tap down on the corresponding pitch button, tap it again when line comes all the way around to the far right end of the meter, and then tap it once more when the meter line comes back around and falls on the accuracy line in yellow.

In short, the the first tap at the top of the meter maximizes velocity, while the second tap at the yellow line determines your accuracy. If you continue to place the meter line on the accuracy line, it will get larger as the game continues, making it much easier for you to place it when it comes back around.

Pinpoint

Should you want to take your accuracy to a whole new level with your pitching, you might like Pinpoint. Living up to its name, Pinpoint requires you to select your pitch, use your left stick to aim where you want to place it, and then with your right stick, you need to complete the trace design of that corresponding pitch with pinpoint accuracy in order to deliver it where it needs to be. Fastballs have the easier trace designs while off-speed pitches have more complex ones to replicate.

Though it does demand a lot more simultaneous skill, it can do you wonders once you do get a feel for it. That said, it certainly has a tough learning curve and might not be the best choice for you in every game mode you play, especially online.

Pulse

Along with Classic, the Pulse pitching option in MLB The Show 23 is a lot easier than the rest of the other interfaces. Once you select your pitch and aim with your left stick where you want it to be, you will see this pulsating orb going in and out around the pitch.

The goal before having your pitcher begin his windup, is to hit down on the corresponding pitch button when the orb pulsates towards the ball, not away from it. In short, you don’t want the orb to be big around the ball, because should you it be that way, the pitch will be far less accurate. If you’re after a pitching style that’s heavily based on timing yet doesn’t demand much more than one tap, then this interface is best for you.

Pure Analog Stick

When determining which is the most challenging pitching interface to use, Pinpoint tends to lead the charge but the Pure Analog Stick isn’t very far behind. And the reason why, is because both demand fans to use the right stick to assist with the delivery and accuracy of the pitches that are thrown.

With the pinpoint format requiring users to nail down a trace design, the Pure Analog Stick option isn’t as complicated but still isn’t that easy to pull off. Once you choose your pitch and aim where you want it to go with your left stick, you then need to start the pitchers motion by holding your right stick downward, and then once it hits the yellow line, you need to push up with the right stick toward the pitch’s location in the top part of the meter.

The down and then up motion might not seem super difficult. But it’s not nearly as easy as it sounds because the timing factor of when you move upwards along with where you place your right stick upon doing so, is challenging to get a feel for.

NOW READ: All Legends Players in MLB The Show 23

MLB The Show 23 – How To Pitch Tips

There’s a variety of tips in MLB The Show 23 that can go a long way when learning how to become a great pitcher. But these two staples are the best to keep in mind when you step on the mound:

Timing

When it comes to any of the pitching interfaces you use (besides the Classic option), timing will play a key factor with how well your execution will fare. This is most evident for the Pure Analog Stick and Meter options, but can be found in others as well.

To master this, take the time to practice and improve your press timing as well as your right analog stick movement as well (should you be using an interface that requires you to use it). If you’re even a little bit off with your pitch accuracy, the ball can land in a spot that can be hammered and can cost you a run or more. So whether you’re using the Meter or the Pinpoint options, your timing will be key to how precise your pitches are.

Placement

Along with timing, placement is so important to nail down when pitching in MLB The Show 23. Whether it’s a fastball or moving off-speed pitch, placing the ball on the right corners and edges is crucial when keeping runners off the base paths, and will allow you to dominate on the mound.

You can get a good indication of where to place pitches by seeing where the cold zones are for each opposing batter when their strike zone is on display. These cold zones will be in blue, while their hot zones will be in red. If you can nail down your pitches in those cold zones, the opposing batter will have a harder time getting a hit off of you.

Lastly, don’t let the strike zone limit where you need to throw the ball. The beauty of pitching is also displayed within the ability to throw balls out of the zone that can get the batter to chase or bite, causing them to strikeout or make poor contact. So if you’re in a 1-2 count, get creative with a nasty waste pitch that can seal your strikeout in a matter of seconds.

 Videogamer.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Last updated on 2024-04-21