Core Gameplay

MLB The Show 23 - Core Gameplay Guide

This guide breaks down the core gameplay loop, systems, and progression in MLB The Show 23 across four distinct tiers: Early Game, Mid Game, Late Game, and Endgame. Each tier explains what to expect, what to focus on, and how the game’s mechanics evolve.

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Core Systems Overview

Before diving into tiers, here are the foundational systems that persist throughout all stages:

• Combat/Interaction Systems: The core “combat” is baseball. Key mechanics include Hitting (Zone, Timing, Directional; PCI placement and swing timing), Pitching (Analog, Meter, Pinpoint; 5 pitch types with different break/speed), Fielding (Button accuracy, meter timing, throwing power), and Baserunning (standard controls, lead-offs, steals).


• Main Gameplay Loop: Play games (solo or vs. opponents) → earn XP, stubs, and rewards → upgrade your team/player → engage in new challenges → repeat. The loop differs slightly per mode: Road to the Show (RTTS) progresses a single player through a career; Diamond Dynasty (DD) builds a fantasy team from collected cards; Franchise manages an MLB organization; March to October condenses a season.


• Progression: Character progression in RTTS uses Archetypes (e.g., Slugs, Sparkplug, Ace) with skill caps and perk unlocks. Team progression in DD uses Team Affinity, Programs, and Live Series collection to boost overall team rating.


• Exploration:```


• Quests/Missions:```


• Economy: Stubs (premium currency) earned through gameplay, packs, and market flipping (buy/sell orders). Stubs buy packs, players, and equipment.


• Character/Build Growth: In RTTS, choose a primary archetype, then customise equipment, perks, and training. In DD, create a Created Player (CAP) with specific positions and attributes.


• Endgame Structure: Ranked Seasons, Battle Royale (draft), Events (limited-time modes), high-difficulty programs (e.g., Extreme), and the pursuit of 99 OVR collection players.


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Early Game (First Hours to Week 1)



Goal: Learn controls, build foundational team/player, understand daily tasks.



Gameplay Loop



• RTTS: Start with Spring Training (3 games) and Double-A assignment. Focus on completing basic training, earning first set of Archetype XP. Play ~10 games to unlock first perk slot.


• DD: Complete the Starter Moments (e.g., Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani) to earn early Gold and Diamond cards. Run through the Showdown (Team Affinity Season 1) – even partial completions yield reward packs. Play Conquest maps (e.g., USA Map) for free packs and stubs.


• Franchise: Play 10 exhibition games to understand sliders and CPU tendencies. Start a Franchise with a top team (e.g., Astros) to learn roster management.




Systems in Detail



• Hitting: Use Zone Hitting with PCI. Practice on Dynamic Difficulty (starts at Rookie). Focus on pitch recognition – fastballs and hanging curves.


• Pitching: Use Pinpoint (most accurate) – practice the gesture patterns for fastball, changeup, slider. Begin with Meter if Pinpoint is too difficult.


• Fielding: Use Button Accuracy for throws; practice in Practice Mode (fielding option).


• Economy: Spend early stubs on Packs (Headliners, 10-pack bundles) or Equipment for RTTS. Never buy packs with stubs – instead, invest in Buy Orders for players you want.


• Progression: RTTS – level up Archetype to 2 (unlock first perk). DD – complete Live Series as far as possible (collection rewards).




Examples



• RTTS: Choose “Slugs” archetype for a power hitter. Use training points to boost Power vs. Right at the cost of Contact.


• DD: Do the Joe Mauer moment (Rookie card) and the Jackie Robinson moment (Diamond). Run through Team Affinity Showdown for the division you want (e.g., AL East) to get a 90 OVR player pack.


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Mid Game (Week 1 to Month 1)



Goal: Upgrade team to 85-89 OVR, unlock higher difficulty rewards, complete main programs.



Gameplay Loop



• RTTS: Reach Triple-A or MLB. Complete Player Program goals (e.g., 10 HR, 20 RBIs). Equip Diamond Equipment to boost attributes. Continue archetype grind (level 3-5).


• DD: Focus on Team Affinity Season 2. Complete all conquest maps. Play Ranked Seasons (first 10 games to get end-of-season rewards). Run Mini-Seasons (conquest-like mode) for packs and stubs.


• Franchise: Simulate half-season, trade for prospects, use Scouting to find high-potential players in the draft.




Systems in Detail



• Hitting: Move to All-Star difficulty. Use Analytics (pitch sequencing from previous AB). Learn to foul off edge pitches.


• Pitching: Master Pinpoint for all pitches. Use Outlier fastballs and tunneling offspeeds.


• Fielding: Perfect Dive timing and Jump at the wall.


• Economy: Start Flipping cards on the market – look for cards with a gap between buy/sell orders (e.g., buy at 500, sell at 800). Use TheShowNation.com companion app to manage orders.


• Progression: DD – complete Live Series (collect all players) for a 99 OVR Randy Johnson or Ken Griffey Jr. (depending on collection). RTTS – unlock Gold Perk (e.g., “Dead Red” for hitters).




Examples



• RTTS: Equip “Barrel to Ball” perk to increase exit velocity. Use Training to boost Clutch attribute for late-game situations.


• DD: Complete Team Affinity Season 2 for the Central divisions – you get 95 OVR Corbin Carroll and Francisco Lindor (seasonal). Grind the Extreme Program if available (may be too hard, but partial progress).


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Late Game (Month 1 to Month 2-3)



Goal: Build a 90-95 OVR team, finish major collections, prepare for Endgame.



Gameplay Loop



• RTTS: Reach The Show (MLB) full-time. Complete Seasonal Goals (e.g., win Silver Slugger). Unlock Diamond Perks and Signature Equipment.


• DD: Finish Live Series collection. Grind Team Affinity Season 3 and any active Programs (e.g., Cover Athletes, Topps Now). Play Battle Royale for 12-win runs to get rare Diamond rewards.


• Franchise: Deep into year 2+ – use Draft Scouting to find 70+ OVR prospects. Trade for superstars on expiring contracts.




Systems in Detail



• Hitting: Use Hall of Fame difficulty. Perfect PCI placement for elite pitchers. Use Check Swing sparingly.


• Pitching: Mix pitches effectively – no pattern. Use Quick Pitch to catch opponent off guard.


• Fielding: Pre-load throws, use cut-off men.


• Economy: Engage in Pack Flipping during pack sales (e.g., 50% off packs). Acquire Stubs by flipping high-end cards (e.g., 99 OVR cards).


• Progression: RTTS – max archetype (level 8) and equip all 5 perk slots. DD – complete Major League Collections (e.g., Mookie Betts, Chipper Jones) for 99 OVR rewards.




Examples



• RTTS: Unlock “Breakout” perk for exiting slumps. Play on Legend difficulty in practice to sharpen skills.


• DD: Finish the Live Series to get 99 Randy Johnson. Also complete the Team Affinity Season 3 for a 99 OVR Jacob deGrom. Grind Ranked Seasons to reach World Series (900 rating) for exclusive 99 pack.


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Endgame (Month 2-3 until Next Year Release)



Goal: Max out team (99 OVR), achieve top competitive ranks, complete all final programs.



Gameplay Loop



• RTTS: Achieve all-time records (e.g., 500 HRs, 300 wins). Unlock Hall of Fame card for your CAP.


• DD: Play Ranked Seasons to reach 1000 rating for Flawless banner. Win Battle Royale 12-0 multiple times. Complete Events (e.g., Moonshot, Low Overall) for exclusive cards. Finish the Extreme Program (highest difficulty).


• Franchise: Jump into Year 3+ – develop superstars, manage salary cap, try to win multiple World Series.




Systems in Detail



• Hitting: Master Legend difficulty – adjust PCI for outlier fastballs, read breaking balls early.


• Pitching: Use Pitch Confidence and Stamina management. Tunnel fastballs with curveballs, changeups with sliders.


• Fielding: Perfect jumping catches, relay throws, and tag plays.


• Economy: Team is complete; stubs used for Buying specific high-end cards from market. Sell duplicates. Buying packs is still inefficient.


• Progression: All cards are 99 OVR. Only attribute fine-tuning via Parallel (cards get slight stat boosts for hitting certain thresholds). Earn Parallel V by accumulating plate appearances / innings with card.




Examples



• DD: Grind the Extreme Program – complete 8/8 moments (e.g., 3 HR in 3 ABs on Legend). Reward: 99 OVR Mickey Mantle. Play Ranked Seasons with a 99 OVR lineup and face sweats. Participate in Community Challenges (e.g., score 100 runs in a week).


• RTTS: Retire after 20 seasons with 700 HRs. Your CAP card becomes a 99 Legend that you can use in DD.

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Summary of Progression Tiers

Key Takeaway: The core loop always revolves around playing games to earn XP and rewards, then using those to improve your team/player. Master the hitting and pitching systems early, and you’ll carry those skills through every tier. Focus on completing daily programs and flipping the market to accelerate progress. Good luck, and see you on the diamond!