San Diego Studio has shared a new Fielding Feedback update for MLB The Show 26, breaking down some of the gameplay changes aimed at putting more control in the player’s hands. The focus this year is on realism and decision making with new systems that reward smart play while staying true to how the game works at the MLB level.
One of the biggest additions is an automated ball strike challenge system. Players can challenge a missed call with each team getting two challenges per game. Successful challenges are kept, while failed ones are gone for the rest of the game, adding a layer of strategy that can matter late. Pitching also gets a realism boost through real-world pitch usage rates, meaning rarely used pitches are harder to locate and easier to punish if overused. A new Bear Down Pitching feature adds another wrinkle in big moments, letting pitchers tap into extra accuracy and velocity based on their clutch rating, but only for a limited number of pitches.
Hitters are getting more tools as well. Expanded pitch history options allow players to scout tendencies by count, handedness and even matchup-specific behavior. Two new zone hitting options also debut, including Big Zone Hitting, which focuses on choosing the right area of the plate rather than precise PCI placement and Fixed Zone Hitting, which lets hitters lock into one spot for an entire at-bat. These options pair with PCI sensitivity settings to give players more freedom to shape their approach at the plate.
Defensively, MLB The Show 26 puts a bigger emphasis on separating average fielders from elite defenders. New reaction attributes account for movement in all directions, pitchers receive additional attributes and catchers now have a dedicated pop time rating. Catcher animations have been reworked as well with more realistic setups and improved throwdowns, blocks and backpicks. Across the field, nearly 500 new gameplay animations have been added, from off-balance infield throws to smoother double plays and new ways for outfielders to rob home runs.
Next week’s Fielding Feedback episode will shift focus to what’s new in Road to the Show. The team also hosted a new Feature Premiere centered on gameplay in MLB The Show 26, giving fans a more detailed look at the key additions mentioned previously and a few other nuggets. Make sure to check it out and let us know your thoughts.
