MLB The Show 22: Complete Pitching Controls and Tips for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S

After introducing Pinpoint Pitching last year, San Diego Studios has introduced Dynamic Perfect Accuracy Pitching (PAR) in MLB The Show 22. While not a new pitching option, it adds a bit more depth to the pitching mechanic. Depending on your chosen controls setting, you may find pitching easier than hitting in MLB The Show 22.

Below, you will find all of the pitching controls that you need to know for PlayStation and Xbox controls, as well as several useful tips to get you going.

In this The Show 22 pitching controls guide, the Left and Right joysticks are denoted as L and R, and pushing on either will be marked as L3 and R3.

MLB The Show 22 Classic and Pulse Pitching controls for PS4 and PS5

• Select Pitch: X, Circle, Triangle, Square, R1
• Select Pitch Location: L (hold in place)
• Pitch: X

MLB The Show 22 Meter Pitching controls for PS4 and PS5

• Select Pitch: X, Circle, Triangle, Square, R1
• Select Pitch Location: L (hold in place)
• Begin Pitch: X
• Pitch Power: X (at top of meter)
• Pitch Accuracy: X (at yellow line)

MLB The Show 22 Pinpoint Pitching controls for PS4 and PS5

• Select Pitch: X, Circle, Triangle, Square, R1
• Select Pitch Location: L (hold in place)
• Pitch: R (follow gesture)

MLB The Show 22 Pure Analog Pitching controls for PS4 and PS5

• Select Pitch: X, Circle, Triangle, Square, R1
• Select Pitch Location: L (hold in place)
• Begin Pitch: R↓ (hold until yellow line)
• Release Pitch Accuracy/Velocity: R↑ (direction of pitch location)

Miscellaneous Pitching controls for PS4 and PS5

• Request Catcher’s Call: R2
• Pitch History: R2 (hold)
• Look at Runner: L2 (hold)
• Deceptive Pickoff: L2 (hold) + Base Button
• Quick Pickoff: L2 + Base Button
• Slide Step: L2 + X
• Pitchout: L1 + X (after pitch selection)
• Intentional Walk: L1 + Circle (after pitch selection)
• Step Off Mound: L1
• View Defensive Positioning: R3
• Quick Menu: D-Pad↑
• Pitcher/Batter Attributes/Quirks: D-Pad←
• Pitching/Batting Breakdown: D-Pad→

MLB The Show 22 Classic and Pulse Pitching controls for Xbox One and Series X|S

• Select Pitch: A, B, Y, X, RB
• Select Pitch Location: L (hold in place)
• Pitch: A

MLB The Show 22 Meter Pitching Controls for Xbox One and Series X|S

• Select Pitch: A, B, Y, X, RB
• Select Pitch Location: L (hold in place)
• Begin Pitch: A
• Pitch Power: A (at top of meter)
• Pitch Accuracy: A (at yellow line)

MLB The Show 22 Pinpoint Pitching controls for Xbox One and Series X|S

• Select Pitch: A, B, Y, X, RB
• Select Pitch Location: L (hold in place)
• Pitch: R (follow gesture)

MLB The Show 22 Pure Analog Pitching controls for Xbox One and Series X|S

• Select Pitch: A, B, Y, X, RB
• Select Pitch Location: L (hold in place)
• Begin Pitch: R↓ (hold until yellow line)
• Release Pitch Accuracy/Velocity: R↑ (direction of pitch location)

Miscellaneous Pitching controls for Xbox One and Series X|S

• Request Catcher’s Call: RT
• Pitch History: RT (hold)
• Look at Runner: LT (hold)
• Deceptive Pickoff: LT (hold) + Base Button
• Quick Pickoff: LT + Base Button
• Slide Step: LT + A
• Pitchout: LB + A (after pitch selection)
• Intentional Walk: LB + B (after pitch selection)
• Step Off Mound: LB
• View Defensive Positioning: R3
• Quick Menu: D-Pad↑
• Pitcher/Batter Attributes/Quirks: D-Pad←
• Pitching/Batting Breakdown: D-Pad→

How to use each pitching controls setting in MLB The Show 22

Classic is the simplest pitching setting, but it offers the least amount of control and feedback. As all that you do is select your pitch, the location, and hit X or A, you are merely relying on the ability of the pitcher to make good pitches. Classic might be best for beginners.

Pulse Pitching is similar to Classic but gives you a bit more control. Instead of merely pressing X or A, you will see a “pulse” surrounding the ball. Your goal is to hit X or A with the circle as small as possible. Hitting it too early or too late will result in inaccurate pitches. If you fancy a small challenge after Classic, try Pulse.

Meter Pitching is a step up in that there are a few more pressings of X or A to make an effective pitch. After you select your pitch and location, you must hit X or A at or near the top of the meter to control for pitch velocity. The next part is equally important as it controls accuracy: you must hit X or A as the meter comes back to the yellow line.

Pinpoint Pitching, introduced this year, may be the most challenging of the bunch. After selecting your pitch and location, you initiate the pitch with R↓ and must follow a gesture presented on-screen as closely as possible. Further, you must perform the gesture as close to the speed shown on-screen. Every pitch has a unique gesture, with breaking pitches tending to have more difficult gestures to copy.

You will be notified after each pitch as to how close you were to the gesture, your speed in copying the gesture, and the angle of your gesture. Use that to adjust your gestures. Just remember that it is very challenging and will take time to master.

Pure Analog Pitching is the recommended pitching setting. It gives you the best control while still presenting some difficulty. You hold R to initiate the pitch, releasing up toward the location of your pitch (represented by a red circle) as close to the yellow line as possible. Beyond the impact to the pitch location based on how close you get to the red circle, the release timing also influences location.

If you release too early – above the yellow line – the pitch will have a higher elevation. If you release too late – below the yellow line – the pitch will be lower than anticipated. This setting is the one, more than the others, where if you make a mistake pitch, it is because you messed up as opposed to the randomness of the in-game mechanics. As a result, it is highly recommended that you master Pure Analog Pitching.

How to quick pitch

To quick pitch, simply select your pitch and location and pitch the ball before your pitcher is set. However, in this case, you must ensure balks are turned off.

How to slide step

To slide step in MLB The Show 22, hold L2 or LT and then pitch the ball.

How to attempt a pickoff

To attempt a pickoff, hit L2 or LT and the button of the base with the runner. For a deceptive pickoff, hold L2 or LB and press the button of the base.

How to step off the mound

To step off the mound, hit L1 or LB before entering the windup for your pitch.

How to call for time

To call for time, hit down on the D-Pad.

How to call for a mound visit

To call for a mound visit, hit up on the D-Pad and select Mound Visit from the Quick Menu.

MLB The Show 22 pitching tips

Here are our top tips for pitching in MLB The Show 22.

1. Use Practice Mode to find a style that fits you

It is important to find the pitching style that fits how you play. Go into the Practice Mode and fiddle around with each if you are unsure. Even though it may be stressful, practice on the greater difficulties to truly get an understanding of how to make effective pitches.

2. Learn how to control the running game with the slide step

Particularly with speedy baserunners aboard, using the slide step and pickoff to your advantage can mitigate or erase any scoring threats.

The drawback to using the slide step is that the yellow accuracy bar comes faster in those settings using it, and you must be that much quicker with Pinpoint Pitching. However, it drastically cuts the time of delivery to the plate, maximizing your ability to throw out runners.

3. Use pickoffs to keep runners honest

When attempting pickoffs, it is a good idea to think of the Button Accuracy meter appearing in your head as soon as you hit the base. Hold the base button until you think it hits the middle of the imaginary meter – this will ensure that you do not throw the ball away. On other modes, the player’s accuracy plays a big role in whether or not it’s a clean throw.

Further, when using a deceptive move, you will have the most success when attempting this after the baserunner has taken an extra step in your lead. It is also much easier to pick off runners (as they mostly happen at first base) with a left-handed pitcher.

You will find a good number of left-handed pitchers with the “Pickoff Artist” player quirk, but very few right-handed pitchers also possess this quirk. If you have a pitcher with this quirk, try to pick off any runner at first base with a speed above 70.

4. Understand situational baseball

If it is late in the game and there is a runner on third with less than two outs, be prepared for a squeeze play. If a ground ball is hit to first base, go cover just in case the first basemen cannot beat the baserunner to first.

If you need a ground ball for a double play, keep the ball low – particularly if you have anything with downward or two-seam motion.

If an over-shift is employed, pitch to the inside to maximize the possibility that a ball is hit into the shift. As stated above, be wary of runners taking the extra base via a steal or ball in play.

Just remember that every pitch is a strategic match, made more so with the added variables that come with situational baseball.

Now you have the knowledge to make you a fiend on the mound, a surprise ace like Logan Webb or a dominant veteran like Max Scherzer. Can you become a Cy Young winner?