MLB The Show 25 Stubs has officially arrived, and after days of early access, players are diving deep into its various modes. While Diamond Dynasty has been a major focus for many, Road to the Show (RTTS) remains a fan-favorite for those who love crafting their own baseball legacy. This year, one of the most intriguing additions to RTTS is the inclusion of metal bats, a staple in college and amateur baseball. But do they actually impact gameplay, or are they just a cosmetic change?
In this deep dive, we’ll explore whether metal bats provide a tangible advantage in MLB The Show 25, test exit velocities, and see if we can break the game’s home run distance records.
The Experiment: Can Metal Bats Boost Power in RTTS?
To test whether metal bats make a difference, I created a power-focused first baseman named Fred Bing Bong (because why not?). The goal was simple: maximize power attributes and see if metal bats lead to higher exit velocities and longer home runs.
Step 1: Optimizing the Player Build
Position: First Base (typically a power-hitting role)
Attributes: All initial skill points allocated to Power vs. Righties and Lefties
Equipment: Equipped the highest-rated metal bat available
Step 2: Adjusting Sliders for Maximum Power
To ensure every swing was a potential moonshot, I tweaked the following settings:
Hitting Difficulty: Beginner (for consistent Perfect-Perfect contact)
Human Contact: Maxed out
Human Power: Maxed out
Human Solid Hits: Maxed out
With these adjustments, nearly every swing resulted in a Perfect-Perfect hit, allowing us to measure the maximum possible exit velocities and distances.
Testing Metal Bats: The Results
First Game: Early Signs of Dominance
Right out of the gate, Fred Bing Bong was crushing baseballs:
First Home Run: 116 MPH exit velocity, 450 feet
Second Home Run: 106 MPH, 401 feet
Third Home Run: 110 MPH, 427 feet
While these numbers were impressive, they weren’t significantly higher than what we’ve seen in past MLB The Show games with wooden bats.
Comparing Metal vs. Wooden Bats
In previous MLB The Show titles (particularly MLB The Show 24), players reported exit velocities exceeding 120+ MPH with maxed-out power sliders. However, in MLB The Show 25, even with a fully optimized metal bat build, the highest exit velocity recorded was 115 MPH.
This suggests that metal bats do not provide a noticeable power boost over wooden bats in RTTS.
Possible Reasons for the Lack of Impact
Game Balance: SDS (San Diego Studio) may have intentionally kept metal bats in line with wooden ones to prevent unrealistic gameplay.
Exit Velocity Cap: There appears to be a hard cap on exit velocity, preventing absurdly high numbers regardless of bat type.
Bat Physics: Unlike real-life metal bats (which have a "trampoline effect" for higher ball speeds), MLB The Show 25 may treat all bats similarly in terms of gameplay mechanics.
The Mystery of the Black Pencil Bat
During testing, I stumbled upon an interesting discovery—the Black Pencil Bat, a rare and mysterious piece of equipment rumored to exist in RTTS.
First Appearance: A Twitter user posted a screenshot of the bat in a previous MLB The Show game.
In-Game Sighting: During one of my games, I noticed a teammate in the dugout wielding the Black Pencil Bat, confirming its existence.
Can You Use It? As of now, it’s unclear how to unlock it or whether it provides any unique benefits.
Is the Black Pencil Bat just a cosmetic item, or does it have hidden power boosts? This remains one of RTTS’s biggest mysteries, and I’ll continue hunting for it in future sessions.
Draft Stock and College Ball: Does Performance Matter?
Despite hitting multiple 450+ foot home runs in high school, my draft projections were shockingly low—ranging from the 2nd to 8th round. This seemed unrealistic, given the absurd numbers Fred was putting up.
Instead of risking a late draft pick, I chose to attend Texas Christian University (TCU), a 5-star program for skill development. This allowed me to further boost my power attributes before entering the MLB draft.
College Performance: Breaking Records
In college, I managed to hit my longest home run yet:
459 feet, 115 MPH exit velocity
While this was an improvement, it still felt capped compared to previous games where 500+ foot bombs were possible with maxed sliders.
Final Verdict: Do Metal Bats Matter in MLB The Show 25?
After extensive testing, here’s the conclusion:
Metal bats do not provide a significant power boost over wooden bats in RTTS.
Exit velocities appear to be capped around 115-116 MPH, regardless of bat type.
The biggest factors in hitting massive home runs remain:
Player attributes (Power stat)
Perks (Power-focused boosts)
Gameplay sliders (Human Power, Contact, Solid Hits)
Why Would SDS Include Metal Bats If They Don’t Change Gameplay?
Realism: College and high school players use metal bats, so their inclusion adds authenticity.
Customization: Players enjoy personalizing their RTTS experience, even if equipment doesn’t drastically alter performance.
Future Updates: SDS may adjust bat physics in later patches if players demand more differentiation between bat types.
What’s Next in My RTTS Journey?
Unlocking the Black Pencil Bat – Does it have hidden perks?
Testing More Perks – Can certain abilities push exit velocities beyond 116 MPH?
Pushing for 500+ Foot Home Runs – Is it possible with further attribute upgrades?
Community Discussion: What’s Your Experience?
Have you tried using metal bats in RTTS? Have you noticed any differences in power? What’s the longest home run you’ve hit in MLB The Show 25?
Let me know in the comments! And if you're looking to boost your Diamond Dynasty team, check out MMOexp.com for cheap MLB The Show 25 Stubs to build your ultimate squad.
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