In this guide, we'll break down exactly what tempo is, how it affects both hitting and pitching, and what you can do right now to elevate your game using this often-overlooked mechanic.
First Things First: Optimize Your Setup
Before diving into gameplay strategy, you need to ensure your hardware setup isn't holding you back.
Monitor:
- Aim for at least 120Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time.
- A 24"–27" flat monitor is ideal; curved monitors may look cool, but they can distort pitch perception.
Controllers:
- Avoid stick drift. If your controller is over a year old, consider replacing it.
- For Xbox: Try PowerA Fusion or GameSir G7. You can even overclock some models for better input speed.
- For PlayStation: The DualSense Edge is recommended, especially for pinpoint pitching. While pricey, it allows you to replace worn thumbsticks without buying a whole new controller.
Accessories:
- Control Freaks (Thumbstick Extenders): Many pros prefer a low-rise on the left and a high-rise on the right. Avoid high-rise sticks on your PCI stick.
- Precision Rings: Mixed reviews. Some love them for control; others find they interfere with outfield movement and hitting muscle memory.
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What Is Tempo?
In MLB The Show, tempo refers to how a batter synchronizes their leg kick and swing timing with the pitch speed and trajectory. It's subtle but powerful. Watching elite hitters like Mike Trout, you'll notice how the leg kick adjusts slightly depending on whether the pitch is a fastball, splitter, or cutter. That's tempo in action.
Example:
- Against a fastball, Trout starts his leg kick earlier and lifts higher.
- Against a splitter, his kick starts later and with less urgency.
These micro-adjustments help time up the pitch precisely. It's why players with high or early leg kicks—like Will Smith, Trea Turner, Mookie Betts, and Shohei Ohtani—are more popular among competitive players. Their animations are easier to read and help subtly cue pitch type and timing.
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Reading the Pitch: Beyond Tempo
Tempo isn't just about the hitter—it's also about reading the pitcher's release point.
- Fastballs tend to come out flatter.
- Splitters and sinkers often “pop up” out of the hand and then drop.
Zoom in on the pitcher's release point in custom practice. Over time, you'll train your eyes to notice which pitches are coming based on release height and spin axis. It's small, but it makes a huge difference.
Pro tip:
Soft focus on the release point, not the hat or glove. You'll avoid being fooled by deceptive animations (like Randy Johnson or Noah Schultz).
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Pitching with Tempo in Mind
Understanding tempo can help you pitch smarter—not just harder.
There's a myth in baseball that changing speeds is key. While true in real life, in The Show, changing pitch types at the same speed can be far more effective.
Example:
A pitcher like Cliff Lee can be dominant because he throws pitches like sinkers, cutters, and fastballs all around the same speed. They move in different directions, but their tempo looks identical to the hitter. That makes it tough to read and easy to bait swings just out of the zone.
Instead of always mixing in curveballs or slow changeups, try sequencing same-speed pitches that break in different directions. You'll force hitters to guess, and often, guess wrong.
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The Right Stadium = Better Gameplay
Your choice of stadium affects more than just aesthetics—it can directly impact performance.
Avoid high-resource “Pro” stadiums. They look great, but all those animated fans and fancy lighting create lag and inconsistent gameplay.
Top picks for smoother performance and balanced hitting:
- Ship It Stadium – Elevation: 1,200 ft. Clean visuals, quick gameplay, and no visual clutter.
- Laughing Mountain – High elevation but well-balanced dimensions.
- Barnes Canyon – Same layout as Laughing Mountain but lower elevation (harder to hit bombs).
- Riverboat Field – Low elevation, great for competitive gameplay.
Avoid anything under 700 ft elevation like Oak Street—perfect-perfect fly balls often die in the air.
Also, try June, 1 PM, Clear Skies for optimal lighting and visibility.
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Summary: How to Master Tempo
For Hitting:
- Use hitters with early, high leg kicks.
- Soft focus on the pitcher's release point.
- Practice recognizing subtle timing shifts using custom practice.
- Don't swing until you've seen a strike, especially in early innings.
For Pitching:
- Sequence similar-speed pitches with different movement.
- Use sinkers, cutters, and fastballs to “mirror” and confuse hitters.
- Avoid relying too much on slow pitches like curveballs unless you're setting them up.
For Setup:
- Use a high refresh rate monitor.
- Replace old controllers and avoid stick drift.
- Experiment with thumbstick extenders and precision rings to find what works for you.
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By combining hardware optimization, strategic pitch sequencing, and tempo awareness,
cheap MLB Stubs you can take your MLB The Show 25 skills to the next level. It's not about playing more—it's about playing smarter.
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