Smart Baserunning Wins Games – Mastering the Hidden Art in MLB The Show 25

In MLB The Show 25, the difference between winning and losing often comes down to MLB The Show 25 Stubs inches — and no aspect of the game captures that more than baserunning. While hitting home runs and striking out batters might grab the spotlight, smart baserunning is the unsung hero that turns singles into runs and tight games into victories.

With new AI behavior, improved pickoff systems, and realistic sliding mechanics, MLB The Show 25 rewards precision, awareness, and timing on the basepaths. If you want to dominate both offline and online play, mastering baserunning strategy is essential.

Here’s how to take your baserunning IQ to the next level in MLB The Show 25.

1. Understand the New Baserunning System

MLB The Show 25 introduces smarter baserunning controls and more lifelike animations. Players now react to batted balls and fielder positioning with greater accuracy, making decisions like rounding a base or holding up more realistic.

The improved manual baserunning system gives you full control — but also full responsibility. Mistimed inputs can lead to costly outs, while smart reads can stretch an extra base or score a runner from first on a gap shot.

Key tip: Learn the difference between default, classic, and manual baserunning controls in the settings. Manual gives you the most control but requires precise timing. Practice switching runners and issuing independent commands so you can react instantly in high-pressure moments.

2. Read the Ball Off the Bat

The first step to smart baserunning is reading contact. Watch the angle, speed, and trajectory of every hit:

Grounders through the infield: Aggressive runners should always round the next base slightly to test the outfielder’s throw.

Line drives: Hold your ground if there’s a chance of a catch; double plays are the easiest way to kill a rally.

Fly balls to deep outfield: Tag up early and watch the fielder’s body language. If they’re running back or turning, you likely have time to advance.

Train your eyes to track the ball rather than rely on automated base prompts. The AI is smarter in MLB The Show 25, but human judgment still outperforms auto-pathing in cheap MLB The Show 25 Stubs clutch moments.