Improving quickly in MLB The Show 26 isn’t just about practicing every day—it’s about understanding your mistakes, learning from them, and adjusting your approach. Most players find that deliberate use of feedback is one of the fastest ways to get better, whether it’s hitting, pitching, or fielding. In this guide, I’ll explain how feedback works in practice and how you can use it to level up your game efficiently.

What Kind of Feedback Matters in MLB The Show 26?

In general, there are a few types of feedback that matter most:

In-game performance indicators – MLB The Show 26 gives you stats like batting average, strikeout rate, and pitch accuracy. Most players check these after each game to see patterns in their performance. For example, if your contact rate is low with fastballs inside, that tells you where to focus.

Replay and highlights – Watching your own plays can show mistakes you might not notice in real-time. For example, you may think a swing was well-timed, but the replay shows you were slightly late or early. Most players review key moments after games to identify repeatable mistakes.

Opponent behavior – How others respond to your pitching or hitting is feedback too. If you notice that other players swing early against your curveballs, that’s a sign to mix pitches differently or improve pitch timing.

Community and tutorial feedback – While playing, you can learn from forums, social media clips, or guides. Most players in general treat this as supplementary feedback—something to confirm their own observations rather than blindly follow.

How Do You Collect Feedback Efficiently?

Collecting feedback is only useful if it’s organized and consistent. Here’s how most experienced players approach it:

Track key stats: Keep a small notebook or spreadsheet of trends. For example, note your strikeout frequency against different pitch types or how often you get a solid hit with certain swing timing. Over a week, patterns usually emerge.

Replay short clips: Instead of reviewing full games, focus on 3–5 at-bats or pitching sequences that were unusual or challenging. This saves time while still highlighting the mistakes that matter.

Pay attention to split situations: Many players fail to track performance by count, inning, or opposing pitcher type. Doing so gives precise feedback on when you’re most vulnerable.

Compare to your peers: Watching higher-level players handle similar situations can highlight gaps in your approach. Most players will notice small things—like stance adjustments or timing tweaks—that they can adapt.

How Should You Use Feedback to Improve Hitting?

Hitting is usually the first area where feedback makes a big difference because it’s easy to see patterns in swings and outcomes.

Identify weak pitch zones: Check where pitches are most frequently causing misses. Most players miss inside fastballs or low breaking balls. Once you know the zone, practice swings specifically against it.

Adjust timing: MLB The Show 26 rewards timing over brute force. If feedback shows you’re consistently early or late, focus on the cues that help with pitch recognition, like pitch speed or release point.

Experiment with approach: If your feedback indicates a high strikeout rate with certain pitch types, try adjusting your swing plane or using different swing mechanics. Most players need several sessions to internalize these adjustments.

Track improvement: After focusing on one weakness for a week, check if your contact rate improves in that situation. Feedback without follow-up measurement is usually wasted effort.

How Should You Use Feedback to Improve Pitching?

Pitching feedback is more nuanced because it involves both your own execution and reading your opponent.

Analyze pitch effectiveness: MLB The Show 26 tracks pitch outcomes, including swings and misses, balls, and hits. Most players notice trends like a slider that isn’t breaking enough or a fastball getting hit more than usual.

Adjust pitch selection: If feedback shows batters are hitting a specific pitch type, mix your arsenal differently. Experienced players often find small adjustments—like changing the sequence of pitches—are more effective than completely changing pitches.

Work on accuracy: Pitch location errors show up clearly in stats. If your walks are high, focus on control drills. Feedback here is direct and actionable: fewer missed zones usually equals fewer runs allowed.

Watch opponent tendencies: Most players overlook this, but tracking how opponents react to pitch sequences is a form of feedback. It informs adjustments in real-time rather than just post-game.

How Should You Use Feedback to Improve Fielding?

Fielding feedback is often subtle but still important. Here’s how most players use it:

Error tracking: Note the type of plays causing errors—ground balls, fly balls, or throws. Most players improve faster by focusing on one type of error at a time.

Positioning cues: Use post-game replays to see if your player positioning was optimal. Feedback usually shows small misalignments that can drastically affect outcomes.

Reaction timing: Fielding feedback also comes from noticing delayed reactions. Most players adjust by practicing timing on reads rather than just movement.

How Often Should You Act on Feedback?

In general, you want to act on feedback after every session or series of games. Most players make the mistake of collecting lots of stats but never adjusting. To improve fast:

Pick one or two key areas to work on at a time.

Use practice modes to address these issues specifically.

Re-evaluate after a few sessions to see if your adjustments worked.

This loop of observe → adjust → measure → repeat is what separates players who improve steadily from those who plateau.

Are There Tools That Can Speed Up Feedback?

Yes, MLB The Show 26 includes built-in tools like heat maps, pitch stats, and swing analysis, which most players use regularly. Some players also choose to buy MLB The Show 26 stubs to access better cards or lineups, which indirectly improves feedback by letting them experiment with higher-tier players or different matchups. The key is not to rely solely on tools—the feedback you interpret and act on is what drives real improvement.

Common Mistakes When Using Feedback

Ignoring trends: Some players only react to one-off mistakes instead of patterns. Feedback works best when it highlights repeated behaviors.

Overcomplicating adjustments: Making too many changes at once usually backfires. Focus on one tweak at a time.

Skipping measurement: Without tracking results, you won’t know if your adjustments worked.

Most experienced players find that keeping feedback simple, focused, and consistent leads to the fastest improvement.

Using feedback in MLB The Show 26 isn’t about memorizing stats—it’s about noticing patterns, making adjustments, and tracking results. Most players improve fastest when they:

Track key stats and trends.

Review replays of mistakes.

Focus on one weakness at a time.

Measure progress and refine their approach.

Whether it’s hitting, pitching, or fielding, deliberate feedback loops are the most reliable way to improve quickly. With consistent attention to performance and careful adjustments, you can accelerate your growth in MLB The Show 26.