Update 9 is a Game-Changer for RTTS and Gameplay – Here’s Why
I’ve been playing MLB The Show for over a decade now, and while each installmlb the show stubsment brings subtle improvements, Update 9 for The Show 25 feels like the most significant shift in years—especially for fans of Road to the Show (RTTS) and immersive, skill-based gameplay.
Let’s start with RTTS. The pre-draft experience has finally been expanded in a way that makes it feel like an actual journey. Instead of jumping straight into the minors with a few scripted events, you now get to play high school and college showcase games. This adds so much depth and authenticity. For the first time, it feels like you’re shaping a story—not just grinding attributes. Your performance in those games truly affects your draft stock, which creates genuine tension in every at-bat and pitch.
Speaking of attributes, the new token-based progression system is a massive improvement. No more arbitrary stat boosts from random in-game moments. Now, you can choose which parts of your player to improve by earning and spending development tokens, which are tied to actual gameplay and training sessions. This makes building your player much more strategic and personalized. Want to become a speed demon CF with just enough pop to keep pitchers honest? You can. Prefer a contact-first shortstop with elite fielding? Totally possible.
Now onto gameplay. Update 9 brings several under-the-hood tweaks that you might not notice at first—but trust me, they matter. The most obvious is the Ambush Hitting mechanic, which rewards guessing pitch type/location with a boosted PCI and punishes incorrect guesses with a tighter zone. It’s subtle, but it adds a fantastic layer of mind games to every at-bat.
Defensively, they’ve added reaction time variance, meaning player ratings now have a noticeable effect on how quickly a fielder reacts off the bat. It’s a welcome change that encourages building smarter lineups, not just loading up on power.
One of my favorite touches is the new throwing accuracy meter, which now includes a “Perfect” window that changes dynamically based on fielding ratings and pressure. It makes those bang-bang plays way more intense and rewarding.
In short, Update 9 has breathed new life into a game I already loved. RTTS is finally immersive enough to rival story-based sports modes in other franchises, and the gameplay tweaks push the skill ceiling a little higher while making the game feel more fair and strategic. If you’ve been sleeping on The Show 25, this is the update to bring you back.