MLB The Show 19 Gameplay Improvements, New Legends Revealed

The brain trust at MLB The Show had a live stream double-header on Thursday, February 14. During the broadcasts, many MLB The Show 19 updates and improvements were explained in great detail. The guys also revealed two new legends that will be added to the roster in 2019.

The Show upgrades

The first live stream focused exclusively on defense. The creators at MLB The Show were very open and candid about details that gamers said they wanted to see changed in the latest release of The Show. The crew believes they have dramatically made the 2019 version much better than years past – especially on defense.

From updating fielder ratings, fielding efficiency to combating exploits, the live stream covers it all. One particular item used as an example was how moving players into a different position will dramatically show this season.

Catcher Jonathan Lucroy is placed at shortstop in the example.  Lucroy struggles to field the ball and make an accurate throw. Being a catcher by nature, this isn’t surprising. Following Lucroy, Zack Cozart is placed at shortstop. Cozart makes the same type of play without an issue.

MLB The Show 19 update

The reason this is used as an example is to point out the meter above the player and his accuracy and strength at the position is playing at the time. This should definitely help gamers get a better read on this year’s version of The Show. From being able to recover faster and more accurately when you make an error, to a better jump of the ball in the outfield, the improvements are all there this season!

Player regrades will also be a big factor in MLB The Show 19. As you can see in the example below, Yasmani Grandal shows major improvement from 2018 while Francisco Lindor stayed about the same. However, Detroit’s Nicholas Castellanos took a major dip downward.

MLB The Show 19 regrade

While Castellanos is great at the plate, his defensive rating may make you think twice when the game is on the line. A defensive replacement may be called for.

On the offensive side, bunting changes and hitting to contact improvements were the main focus.  No more rocket bunting! Drag bunts or bunting to sacrifice will be more prevalent in The Show 19, and that is a great thing! The video game should mimic the real game, right?

As for the pitching, that is going to take a step forward as well. As explained in the video, pitchers will be able to “throw much harder” and have better accuracy on off-speed pitches. One thing to keep in mind, after the first pitch to every batter, the speed and execution will taper off a bit.

Two more legends revealed

Yes, the changes to MLB The Show 19 are exciting, but being an old-school baseball fan, I get excited about the legends. During today’s live stream the crew released two more legends to the roster – Jimmy Foxx and Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez.

Foxx played for the Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies during his great career. When Foxx left the game, he led all of baseball in home runs for right-handed hitters and was No. 2 all-time, trailing only Babe Ruth.

Pudge was one of the best catchers in modern baseball, period! His time with the Texas Rangers, Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers proved that just like wine, a player can get better with time! The 14-time all-star is a great choice to be added to the MLB The Show family of legends.

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