Best Baserunning Tips for MLB The Show 26 Players

[GalacticGlide]

Mastering baserunning in MLB The Show 26 is all about balancing precision control with smart decision-making. To prevent making costly mistakes like getting doubled off or being tagged out, you’ll need to fine-tune your technique and understand the game’s baserunning mechanics. Whether you’re looking to steal bases or just improve your overall baserunning efficiency, here are the best tips to help you out.

Essential Control Techniques

Individual Runner Selection

You can control each runner individually, which is key to managing multiple runners at once. Use the Left Stick to point to the specific runner you want to control, then press the corresponding button for their target base (e.g., Square for 3rd, Triangle for 2nd, etc.). This way, you avoid the confusion of making all runners move at once and gain full control over each one.

Avoiding Tag-Out Bugs

One common mistake that many players encounter is having a runner hesitate or stop halfway, especially after an infield or outfield fly. To prevent this from happening, manually guide the runner with the analog stick to keep them running until they reach the base safely. This ensures they don’t freeze or stop for no reason, which can lead to unnecessary outs.

Classic Baserunning Interface

For players who want smoother management of multiple runners, the Classic Baserunning interface is highly recommended. This setup helps reduce mistakes like having your lead runner retreat while the trailing runner advances. By keeping things simple, you can control each runner more effectively, especially in high-pressure situations.

Baiting the Defense

A slick move to try against online opponents is using R2 (PlayStation) / RT (Xbox) to make your runner stop abruptly. This can trick the defense into starting a throw animation to the wrong base. Once the throw is in motion, you can quickly advance to the next base before the defense has time to adjust.

Road to the Show (RTTS) & Stealing Bases

Prevention of Pick-offs

Avoid getting picked off by always holding the Left Stick to the Left as you take your lead. This ensures that your runner will automatically dive back to the base if the pitcher tries to pick you off, giving you a better chance to avoid a mistake.

Timing the Jump

If you want to get a clean jump on a steal, hold R1 (RB on Xbox) to lean toward the next base, and release it as the pitcher begins their windup. This timing allows you to take off just as the pitcher is committing to the throw to the plate, giving you a better chance to steal the base successfully.

Strategic Sliding

When attempting to steal or avoid a tag, use the Right Stick to choose your slide direction. A good tip is to slide to the outside part of the bag, usually up and to the right, as this can help you avoid a tag even if the throw is on time.
Reading Counts

Knowing when to steal is as important as the technique itself. Early in the at-bat, pitchers often throw pitch-outs, which are hard to steal against. Focus on counts like 0-2, where pitchers tend to throw breaking balls in the dirt, giving you a better chance to steal.
Equipment & Progression

Attribute Buffs

Don't underestimate the power of your equipment! Equipping items like glasses, arm sleeves, and other accessories can significantly boost your speed and stealing ratings. You can find higher-tier gear on the Community Market, which can give your player the edge they need to excel on the basepaths.

Draft Combine in RTTS

In Road to the Show, completing the Draft Combine and the new NCAA College Baseball path can have a huge impact on your baserunning performance. A strong showing in these sections grants permanent boosts to your speed and reaction attributes, which translates into better performance when you're on the basepaths.