Plate Discipline
The ability to decide when NOT to swing, forcing the pitcher into MLB The Show 25 Stubs better counts.

Why It Matters
Many players lose at-bats not because they can’t hit strikes, but because they swing at bad pitches early in the count. Plate discipline keeps you in favorable counts, punishes pitchers who miss, and sets up opportunities to drive the ball. In competitive play, elite players often win by getting the other person to throw strikes on their terms.

How to Train It
Take Until Two Strikes Drill:
Play full games or practice sessions where you refuse to swing until you have two strikes. This forces you to see more pitches and develop patience.

Zone Hunting:
Pick a hot zone (e.g., middle-in) before each at-bat. Swing only if the pitch starts in that zone. This improves selectivity and increases hard contact chances.

Strike Zone Awareness:
Use batting practice to track borderline pitches. In MLB The Show 25, the strike zone edges are dangerous — chasing here often leads to weak contact.

Common Mistakes
Chasing “pitcher’s pitches” early in the count.

Being too passive with two strikes (sometimes you must foul off borderline pitches).

Not adjusting discipline based on pitcher tendencies — some will pound the zone, others nibble.

How These Skills Work Together
The best hitters in MLB The Show 25 combine all three skills seamlessly:

Recognition tells them what the pitch is and where it’s going.

Timing ensures the swing meets the ball at the perfect contact point.

Discipline keeps them from wasting swings on low-probability pitches.

For example:
If you identify a low curveball early (recognition), resist the urge to chase it out of the zone (discipline), and instead wait for a fastball you can time perfectly (timing), your odds of driving the ball skyrocket.

Advanced Training Routine
To truly master these skills, structure your practice like this:

10 Minutes – Pure Recognition Drill (No swings, just call pitch type/location).

10 Minutes – Timing Drill (One pitch type, swing at every strike).

10 Minutes – Discipline Drill (Take until two strikes, then protect).

10 Minutes – Game Simulation (Mix all three skills under realistic game conditions).

Repeat 3–4 times a week, and you’ll see measurable improvement in PCI placement, exit velocity, and batting average.

Final Tip
Improving these three skills isn’t just about grinding — it’s about quality practice. If you train each skill with purpose, review feedback after every swing, and stay consistent, your batting will go from streaky to reliable. Over time, you’ll find yourself not just surviving at the plate, but buy MLB Stubs controlling every at-bat.