Road To The Show is one of the most popular game modes in MLB The Show, and fans will be happy to know that it's back in 2022. In this mode, you follow a single player's journey from his draft day to - hopefully - getting a World Series ring. Your performance on the field and your decisions in the clubhouse are both important factors in how your ballplayer grows and what skills he develops.
With this guide, you'll be able to efficiently plan and execute your ballplayer's development and earn your call-up sooner rather than later.
Player Development
In general, your ballplayer will see his Attributes increase or decrease based on two factors; performance and training.
Performance incrementally alters your Attributes based on how well you do during games. Attributes affecting things you consistently do well will increase, while mistakes will cause the related Attribute to slightly degrade. For example, if you're playing as a pitcher, consistently striking out batters with fastballs will increase your Velocity and K/9 Attributes. Conversely, allowing a walk will cause your BB/9 to slightly decrease.
Training represents the work your player puts in between games. Generally, you'll get an opportunity to train about once every in-game week. Each facility will offer different training regimens from one visit to the next, so you'll never be able to say for sure which stats you'll have the opportunity to improve. Some training includes minigames that allow you to earn additional growth by performing well - others simply offer a flat level of growth.
Dynamic Challenges
During games, your player may receive a Dynamic Challenge. You'll be given a choice of goals to complete within the current inning, with growth bonuses for the related Attributes if you succeed. Generally, more difficult challenges will yield more rewards than simpler ones. Know what you're capable of and choose accordingly - it's better to get a small benefit easily than miss out on a benefit altogether because you were overextended.
Coached Performance
Occasionally, a member of the coaching staff will ask the team to improve a certain aspect of their game. You'll be given a choice of Attributes - the one you select will earn double Performance Development in your next game. Try to focus on that Attribute to get as much growth as possible. For example, if you select Velocity, it's worth throwing more fastballs than normal as you'll get more benefit out of them.
During the regular season, it's often okay to focus on growth over winning games when you receive a coach's challenge - wins and losses only affect a single season, while Attribute growth stays with your player for his entire career. After all, it's only a video game.
How To Efficiently Develop Your Ballplayer
Depending on your gameplay style, you'll tend to see the Attributes that you use the most rise on their own. This means that your ballplayer will organically become better at the things that you, the person holding the controller, are good at in-game. In the early stages of your career, it can be smart to use off-the-field training to make those Attributes even better, significantly reducing the chance of being foiled by RNG.
If you're not sure when to stop training a certain Attribute, take a look at the other players in your division. If your Attributes are comparable or slightly better than other players at your position, you can afford to put some time into shoring up others. Alternately, ambitious gamers might compare their stats to players at their position in the next league up - train for the job you want, not the job you have.
Once you're confident in your ballplayer's core abilities, use your time between games to focus on building skills that don't come up as often. For example, if your character plays first base and has developed a strong Fielding and Reaction Speed but doesn't often find himself having to throw the ball, it can be worth spending a few weeks working on Arm Strength and Accuracy. That way, when the time inevitably comes that you do need to make a quick toss to a teammate you'll be ready. Your player is unlikely to ever be perfectly rounded, but neglecting an Attribute that you have even a small chance of needing is asking to choke when it counts.
Two-Way players have the most Attributes that they need to develop if they want to be competitive. Be ready for a challenge if you decide to play as one - they're rare for a reason!
Getting Promoted
If your player moves up to AAA or to the Majors, you can expect a sudden spike in the quality of opposing players. After you get promoted, or if you think the call is coming soon, move your training focus back to your core Attributes. You'll need the extra work behind your fundamentals if you want to keep putting up similar numbers for your new team. This is also the time to play it safe with dynamic challenges, as tougher opponents will make it harder for you to complete tricky goals.