The release of MLB The Show 25 has been met with mixed reactions from the gaming community. While the franchise has long been celebrated for its realistic gameplay, deep mechanics, and authentic baseball experience, recent iterations have faced criticism for lackluster updates, microtransaction-heavy modes, and stagnant innovation. Now, with a major update on the horizon, fans are asking: Can MLB The Show 25 Stubs redeem itself?

In this article, we’ll break down the key areas where MLB The Show 25 needs improvement, analyze what the upcoming update promises, and determine whether San Diego Studio can win back the trust of its player base.

Where MLB The Show 25 Fell Short
Before discussing whether redemption is possible, it’s important to understand where the game stumbled at launch.

1. Lack of Meaningful Innovation
One of the biggest complaints about MLB The Show 25 was that it felt more like MLB The Show 24.5. While the core gameplay remained solid, many fans expected more significant upgrades in graphics, AI behavior, and game modes. The absence of groundbreaking new features left players feeling like they were paying for a roster update rather than a true next-gen experience.

2. Diamond Dynasty’s Pay-to-Win Problem
Diamond Dynasty, the game’s premier card-collecting mode, has increasingly leaned into microtransactions. While it’s possible to build a competitive team without spending money, the grind has become more tedious, pushing players toward purchasing Stubs (the in-game currency). The lack of rewarding offline content and the heavy emphasis on online play further alienated casual fans.

3. Franchise Mode Neglect
Franchise Mode has long been a favorite among offline players, but recent years have seen minimal improvements. Fans have begged for deeper managerial mechanics, better trade logic, and more immersive owner/front-office dynamics. Unfortunately, MLB The Show 25 delivered only minor tweaks, leaving franchise players disappointed.

4. Online Play and Server Stability
While MLB The Show has generally had strong online gameplay, server issues at launch caused frustration. Disconnections, lag in crucial moments, and inconsistent matchmaking plagued the experience, particularly in competitive modes like Ranked Seasons and Battle Royale.

5. Presentation & Commentary Repetition
The broadcast-style presentation has always been a strength of the series, but the commentary has grown stale. Repeated lines, outdated references, and a lack of dynamic reactions made the experience feel robotic rather than immersive.

What the New Update Promises
The upcoming update for MLB The Show 25 appears to address several of these concerns. Here’s what’s been confirmed so far:

1. Gameplay Improvements & AI Tweaks
Smarter Fielding & Base Running: Fielders will react more realistically to bad hops, and baserunners will make fewer nonsensical decisions.

Pitching & Hitting Adjustments: Pitch accuracy will be more affected by fatigue, and hitter timing windows have been refined for a more balanced experience.

New Animations: Additional fielding and batting animations have been added to reduce repetition.

2. Diamond Dynasty Revamp
Reduced Grind for Top Cards: New player programs and conquest maps will offer more ways to earn high-tier cards without excessive grinding.

More Offline Content: Mini-seasons and expanded single-player options will give offline players more to do.

Better Pack Odds Transparency: While not eliminating microtransactions, SDS has promised clearer odds for card pulls.

3. Franchise Mode Enhancements
Improved Trade Logic: CPU teams will make more realistic offers based on team needs.

Expanded Scouting & Development: A deeper minor-league system with more impactful player progression.

Customizable Playoff Formats: Players can now adjust playoff structures, including expanded wild-card rounds.

4. Online Stability & Matchmaking Fixes
Reduced Lag & Disconnects: Server optimizations aim to provide smoother online play.

Better Ranked Seasons Rewards: More incentives for climbing the ladder, including exclusive cards and stubs.

5. Commentary & Presentation Upgrades
New Broadcast Lines: Additional commentary from the booth to reduce repetition.

Enhanced Stadium Atmosphere: Crowd reactions and walk-up music have been fine-tuned for a livelier feel.

Will This Update Be Enough to Redeem MLB The Show 25?
The big question remains: Can these changes win back disillusioned fans?

The Case for Redemption
Listening to Feedback: San Diego Studio has clearly taken player complaints seriously, addressing key pain points in Diamond Dynasty and Franchise Mode.

Gameplay Refinements: The tweaks to fielding, hitting, and pitching could make the on-field action the best it’s ever been.

More Balanced Progression: If the grind in Diamond Dynasty is truly less punishing, more players will stick around long-term.

The Case Against Redemption
Still Not a Major Leap: While improvements are welcome, some fans may feel this should have been the launch version of the game.

Microtransactions Remain: Even with better rewards, Diamond Dynasty still pushes Stub purchases.

Franchise Mode Still Lacks Depth: While better, it’s still far behind other sports sims in terms of managerial depth.

Verdict: A Step in the Right Direction, But More Work Needed
This update is undoubtedly a positive step, fixing many of the issues that plagued MLB The Show 25 at launch. However, whether it fully redeems the game depends on what players prioritize.

For Diamond Dynasty Fans: If the grind is truly eased and offline content is rewarding, this could bring back lapsed players.

For Franchise Players: The improvements are nice, but the mode still lacks the depth seen in NBA 2K or Madden’s franchise offerings.

For Casual Players: Smoother gameplay and better presentation make this the best version of The Show yet, but it may not feel like a must-buy upgrade.

Ultimately, MLB The Show 25 is in a better place now, but San Diego Studio must continue evolving the series rather than relying on incremental updates. If they can deliver meaningful innovation in future installments—perhaps a complete franchise overhaul, a true next-gen graphics leap, or a revolutionary new mode—then full redemption will be within reach.

For now, this update makes MLB The Show 25 a much stronger game, but the jury is still out on whether it’s enough to fully win back the trust of every fan.

Final Thoughts: Should You Return to MLB The Show 25?
If you abandoned MLB The Show 25 early due to its flaws, this update is worth revisiting. The gameplay refinements alone make it a better experience, and the Diamond Dynasty changes could reinvigorate your interest.

However, if you were hoping for a complete franchise revolution or a drastic reduction in microtransactions, you might still be left wanting more.

In the end, MLB Stubs  is moving in the right direction—but the road to full redemption is still a long one.