Pitchers in baseball are the defensive lifeline of each team, as the ball is quite literally in the palm of their hand. The best pitchers inMLB The Show 24have the ability to take the stress of tens of thousands of fans screaming and cheering with ice in their veins, focusing on making every pitch count. Pitchers that know how to hit the strikezone and keep any potential hits low and infield are the ones that can bring their team to a World Series appearance.
Building up a pitcher can be done through successful plays and earned wins, but there is another method. Players can make purchases through the Diamond Dynasty marketplace, or be lucky enough to open anMLB The Show 24perk pack, landing a desirable perk that targets the right stats for their pitching needs. Up to four perks can be equipped at one time, making the mixing and matching game vital for creating a well-balanced player. Here are the four recommended perks for making the next best pitcher in baseball.
Perk #1 — Control I
For players looking to becomea cover athlete like Shohei Ohtani, a pitcher that packs a tremendous throwing arm is the way to go. Starting off with theControl Iperk, pitchers can expect to have better control of their throws and locate the strikezone more efficiently. Control affects the pitcher’s ability to successfully complete off-speed and breaking pitches, while an increased BB/9 stat prevents throws from leaving the strike box.
Some of the best pitchers around have a high Pitching Clutch ability, which pits this stat against a batter’s Batting Clutch stat when there are runners on base. For pitchers with a higher Pitching Clutch compared to the opposing player’s Batting Clutch, their chances of striking them out and leaving those runners stranded on base are higher. Making this category a priority for those taking the mound is recommended.
Perk #2 — Break II
Continuing the trend of adding more momentum to Pitching Clutch, theBreak IIperk adds another plus-three boost to this category while supplementing some support to the K/9 stat, which gives the pitcher a better chance to strikeout their opponent when they’re ahead of the count. Some ofthe best pitchers inMLB The Show 24are able to expose a batter’s weaknesses and close them out, and raising the K/9 stat is an excellent way to ensure the inning ends sooner rather than later.
Players should also consider increasing their Break stat, which gives a pitcher better odds at successfully adding movement to their off-speed and breaking pitches. There are a number ofdifferent throws inMLB The Show 24, and switching up from the typical fastball to one with rotation and different speeds can catch a batter off guard. Adding some variety to the pitching selection helps separate the average pitchers from the elite.
Perk #3 — Velocity II
TheVelocity IIperk adds another four points to Pitching Clutch, which is the most important stat to raise, while targeting three additional categories that have yet to be touched. Arm Strength isn’t a particular area unique to pitchers, butit helps their infielding outin the case of a batter hitting the ball within their proximity. This stat grants the player throwing the ball some extra power to get the ball to the desired destination quickly. The stronger the arm, the harder the ball can be thrown.
Players will also want to ensure their pitcher can last through several innings and high pitch counts, and Durability affects a player’s ability to recover stamina. A higher Durability stat will keep players in the game for much longer and have them recover quicker for their next game. Velocity, which is geared towards the pitching position, enhances their ability to throw pitches at a faster speed, making a 4-seem fastball or 6-seem fastball appear more dangerous when facing some of the best batters.
Perk #4 — Velocity III
Finally, the last recommended perk to make a great pitcher is theVelocity IIIperk. This addition will boost the Velocity, Pitching Clutch, and Arm Strength stats by twice the amount when combined withVelocity II, making the pitcher’s arm something to fear. With a +8 for Velocity and Arm Strength, players shouldn’t worry about their off-speed pitches not crossing the plate fast enough, as they’ll have the strength and speed necessary to complete blazing throws.
Of course, adding some of theequipment available inMLB The Show 24can make pitchers even more dangerous, but these perks alone should be a significant boost to push a player to the major leagues and challenge for a roster spot. The H/9 stat is linked to a pitcher’s ability to reduce the hits allowed and drive down contact, which in turn will make the batter’s job at getting on the bases a near-impossible task.
