MLB The Show 22: Controls Guide for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, & Xbox Series X|S and Gameplay Tips for Beginners

The Show returns with its annual release, this time MLB The Show 22. Shohei Ohtani, fresh off of his MVP season, dons the cover of all three editions of the game. Some gameplay tweaks, including to some controls, were made as improvements to give gamers more control over the outcomes of each at bat.

Below, you will find complete controls for The Show 22 on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. Gameplay tips will follow geared toward beginners and improving quickly. Note that there will be specific guides with further details and tips on each aspect of the controls (batting, baserunning, etc.).

Complete PS4 and PS5 controls will be listed first, followed by the complete set for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Controls dependent on a setting will be specified as parentheticals.

MLB The Show 22 batting controls for PS4 and PS5

• Move Plate Coverage Indicator (Zone): L
• PCI Anchor (Zone): R3 (in direction of area)
• Direction and Influence Fly or Groundball (Directional): L
• Contact Swing: O
• Normal Swing: X
• Power Swing: Square
• Check Swing: Tap and Release
• Sacrifice Bunt (all modes; late): Triangle (hold)
• Drag Bunt (all modes; early): Triangle (hold)
• Influence Bunt Direction: R→ or R←
• Select Contact or Power Swing (Pure Analog; before stride): O / Square
• Begin Stride (Pure Analog; if enabled): R↓
• Normal Swing (Pure Analog): R↑
• Contact Swing (Pure Analog): R→
• Power Swing (Pure Analog): R←
• Check Swing (Pure Analog): Release
• Guess Pitch (if enabled): R2 + Pitch
• Guess Pitch Location (if enabled): R2 + L
• View Defense and Ratings: R3
• Quick Menu: D-Pad↑
• Pitcher Attributes & Player Quirks: D-Pad←
• Pitching & Batting Breakdown: D-Pad→
• Call Timeout: D-Pad↓

MLB The Show 22 pitching controls for PS4 and PS5

• Select Pitch (all modes): X, Circle, Triangle, Square, R1
• Select Pitch Location (all modes): Left Analog (hold in place)
• Pitch (Classic and Pulse): X
• Begin Pitch (Meter): X
• Pitch Power (Meter): X (at top of meter for best velocity)
• Pitch Accuracy (Meter): X (at yellow line for best accuracy)
• Pitch (Pinpoint): R (trace design)
• Begin Pitch (Pure Analog): R↓ (hold until yellow line)
• Release Pitch Accuracy & Velocity (Pure Analog): R↑ (toward pitch location)
• 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 (after pitch selection)
• 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 fielding controls for PS4 and PS5

• Move Player: L
• Switch to the Closest Player to the Ball: L2
• Throw to Base (Pure Analog): R (in the direction of base)
• Throw to Base (Button & Button Accuracy): Circle, Triangle, Square, X (hold)
• Throw to Cutoff Man: L1 (hold in Button & Button Accuracy)
• Perfect Throw (Button & Button Accuracy): Circle, Triangle, Square, X, L1 (hold and release at gold line)
• Fake Throw or Stop Throw: Double-Tap Base Button (if enabled)
• Jump: R1
• Dive: R2
• Jump/Dive with One-Touch Enabled: R1

MLB The Show 22 baserunning controls for PS4 and PS5

• Select Runner: Point L toward the occupied base of the desired baserunner
• Advance: L1 after selecting baserunner
• Advance All Runners: L1
• Steal Individual Runner: Select with L and then hit L2
• Steal All Runners: L2
• Hold and Release Steal: Hold L2 until just before the pitcher begins windup
• Advance or Return Individual Runner (in play): L + Circle, Triangle, Square
• Tag Up: (in play) L1
• Advance All Runners (in play): Hold L1
• Return All Runners (in play): Hold R1
• Stop Runner (in play): R2
• Initiate Slide: Hold L1 while in Road to the Show or Player Lock with Analog Baserunning
• Any Direction Slide: Point L in Road to the Show or Player Lock with Button Baserunning
• Slides on the Basepath: R, then ↑ head-first; → hooking right; ← hooking left; ↓ feet-first
• Slides at Home: R, then ↑ head-first; ↓ feet-first; 5 o’clock wide right feet-first, 7 o’clock wide right head-first

Note that the left and right analog sticks are denoted as L and R, respectively. Needing to press on either is marked as L3 and R3.

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

• Move Plate Coverage Indicator (Zone): Left Analog
• Direction and Influence Fly or Groundball (Directional): L
• Contact Swing: B
• Normal Swing: A
• Power Swing: X
• Check Swing: Tap and Release
• Sacrifice Bunt (all modes; late): Y (hold)
• Drag Bunt (all modes; early): Y (hold)
• Influence Bunt Direction: R→ or R←
• Select Contact/Power Swing (Pure Analog; before stride): B or X
• Begin Stride (Pure Analog; if enabled): R↓
• Normal Swing (Pure Analog): R↑
• Contact Swing (Pure Analog): R→
• Power Swing (Pure Analog): R←
• Check Swing (Pure Analog): Release
• Guess Pitch (if enabled): RT + Pitch
• Guess Pitch Location (if enabled): RT + L
• View Defense and Ratings: R3
• Quick Menu: D-Pad↑
• Pitcher Attributes/Player Quirks: D-Pad←
• Pitching/Batting Breakdown: D-Pad→
• Call Timeout: D-Pad ↓

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

• Select Pitch (all modes): A, B, Y, X, RB
• Select Pitch Location (all modes): Left Analog (hold in place)
• Pitch (Classic and Pulse): A
• Begin Pitch (Meter): A
• Pitch Power (Meter): A (at top of meter for velocity)
• Pitch Accuracy (Meter): A (at yellow line for accuracy)
• Pitch (Pinpoint): R (trace design)
• Begin Pitch (Pure Analog): R↓ (hold until yellow line)
• Release Pitch Accuracy & Velocity (Pure Analog): R↑ (toward pitch location)
• 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→

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

• Move Player: L
• Switch to the Closest Player to the Ball: LT
• Throw to Base (Pure Analog): Right Analog (in the direction of base)
• Throw to Base (Button & Button Accuracy): A, Y, X, B (hold)
• Throw to Cutoff Man: LB (hold in Button & Button Accuracy)
• Perfect Throw (Button & Button Accuracy): A, Y, X, B, LB (hold and release at gold line)
• Fake Throw or Stop Throw: Double-Tap Base Button (if enabled)
• Jump: RB
• Dive: RT
• Jump or Dive with One-Touch Enabled: RB

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

• Select Runner: Point L toward the occupied base of the desired baserunner
• Advance: LB after selecting baserunner
• Advance All Runners: LB
• Steal Individual Runner: Select with L and then hit LT
• Steal All Runners: LT
• Hold and Release Steal: Hold LT until just before the pitcher begins windup
• Advance or Return Individual Runner (in play): L + B, Y, X
• Tag Up (in play): LB
• Advance All Runners (in play): Hold LB
• Return All Runners (in play): Hold RB
• Stop Runner (in play): RT
• Initiate Slide: Hold LB while in Road to the Show or Player Lock with Analog Baserunning
• Any Direction Slide: Point L in Road to the Show or Player Lock with Button Baserunning
• Slides on the Basepath: R, then ↑ head-first; → hooking right; ← hooking left; ↓ feet-first
• Slides at Home: R, then ↑ head-first; ↓ feet-first; 5 o’clock wide right feet-first, 7 o’clock wide right head-first

Note that the left and right analog sticks are denoted as L and R, respectively. Needing to press on either is marked as L3 and R3.

Below are gameplay tips for MLB The Show 22. These tips are geared toward beginners with the goal of improving quickly.

1. How to change controls on MLB The Show 22

To change the controls for any of the above settings, head to Settings (the gear in the upper right) and cycle through each menu. You can change your batting, pitching, fielding, and baserunning choices here to your preferred settings. There are also settings for presentation and mode-specific options.

Outsider Gaming recommends Pure Analog pitching, Zone hitting (PCI), and Button Accuracy for fielding which should maximize the amount of control you have on each pitch, swing, and throw. Baserunning settings are basically just between getting assistance or not from the game.

2. Use the detailed Practice mode to hone your skills

MLB The Show 22 has arguably the best Practice mode of any sport game. You can literally create any in-game situation to practice. You’re able to practice as a hitter, pitcher, and fielder. This allows you to, in a low-stakes environment, work on improving those aspects of your game. Particularly if you’re using Pure Analog (pitching and hitting) and the PCI for hitting, you can take solace in the fact that no stats will apply.

In fielding, it’s a great way to understand (especially) the throwing mechanics. If you play with Button Accuracy, the area for an accurate throw (green) and perfect throw (gold) are dependent on the fielder’s throwing accuracy rating. If you’re using Pure Analog, then it’s the best way to find out just how much zip and accuracy you can put on each throw using the right stick.

3. In batting practice, play on Legend difficulty!

Particularly if you want to play others in ranked online matches, practice on Legend difficulty! Regardless of which aspect you’re practicing, playing on the highest difficulty is the quickest way – if not frustrating – to improve.

This is especially true when it comes to batting and using the PCI. Since you have to move the Plate Coverage Indicator to where the ball is pitched, it gives you the most control, sure, but also the most difficult of the batting options (Pure Analog has an argument). With the velocity and movement from many pitchers, you have a short amount of time to find the location, place the PCI, and swing.

Remember, aiming the PCI too low will result in a popup if contact is made. Aim too high and it’ll be grounder. If you hit the ball right in the center, it’ll be a line drive. Try to hit the ball just under center to send the ball deep and hopefully, for a home run.

4. Play games on All-Star difficulty until you’re comfortable enough for Legend

If you want to play games, but still aren’t confident in your abilities, especially hitting – after all, scoring runs is how you win – then play Exhibition games on All-Star difficulty. The good news is you’ll still receive experience and stubs (in-game currency) for these games and they won’t count against your online record.

All-Star should provide enough of a challenge that you don’t get too frustrated, yet the games still winnable. The PCI shrinks with each difficulty, for example, but All-Star is basically the “Normal” difficulty setting and the PCI is an average size. Note that the size of the PCI is also influenced by a player’s Plate Vision attribute.

On the pitching side, higher difficulties see a smaller margin of error for your pitches. Whereas a certain pitch resulted in a popup or a strikeout before, they very well might be hit for homers or extra base hits. Hitters are also less likely to chase pitches well out of the zone, meaning you may be throwing more pitches to get outs.

Once you’re able to rattle off a win streak of around ten, shift to Hall of Fame. Repeat the process and finally, hit Legend. Once you’re able to win consecutive games on Legend, you’re pretty much set for any challenge that may come your way.

5. Hit the Challenge of the Week every week for a chance at prizes

Each week, you can play the Challenge of the Week for a chance at prizes. These prizes can be in-game rewards such as stubs. However, throughout the season, there will also be physical rewards, usually baseball memorabilia. For example, signed bats, hats, and jerseys have all been rewards during Challenge of the Week events in past years.

This is also a great way to practice your batting in a somewhat low-stress situation. You start on Rookie difficulty and as you continue to hit, the difficulty increases; basically, it’s a quick Dynamic difficulty. The multiplier for points does increase with the difficulty as well.

The beauty of the Challenge of the Week is you can try as many times as you want to upload a high score. A sneaky reward is you can gauge your batting skills. Did you do well on All-Star, but struggled on Hall of Fame? Then All-Star should probably be your difficulty setting. Was All-Star too difficult? That’s fine, switch to Veteran and apply the aforementioned win streak tip before moving to All-Star.

So, the Challenge of the Week is a fantastic way to practice hitting and potentially win prizes!

These tips should help beginners and those wanting to improve quickly. Don’t forget to check out the other game modes to find your baseball gaming niche. Are you a Road to the Show player? Is Diamond Dynasty your calling? Do you want to take your favorite Franchise to multiple championships? Play MLB The Show 22 today!