MLB The Show 24 Controls Guide (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)

A new season brings a new installment in the biggest baseball simulation franchise around, and the MLB The Show 24 controls are as complex as ever. While most of the MLB The Show 24 controls aren't far off from what players might remember in recent games, there's no harm in a refresher.

In this MLB The Show 24 controls guide, we'll give you an overview of hitting, pitching, fielding, and baserunning. We've also got some tips on picking an interface that works for you as you adjust to the MLB The Show 24 controls.

Updated April 1: Added a list of MLB The Show 24 guides for several game modes and features, including Egg Hunt and Conquest Hidden Rewards locations. 

MLB The Show 24 Controls Guide for PlayStation & Xbox

When you first dive in, the best way to understand the MLB The Show 24 controls is using the Options Explorer that should automatically be suggested. If you skipped past this, go to the very bottom when on the main menu and select it to start browsing the different interfaces.

Just like previous years, the MLB The Show 24 controls will vary based on the interface you choose for each type of play. You may find you're far better with a specific interface compared to another, and the fastest way to try them in-game is with the Options Explorer.

If you're looking for more guidance on a specific game mode or feature, check out one of these MLB The Show 24 guides:

• Road to the Show Beginner's Guide
• March to October Beginner's Guide
• Franchise Mode Beginner's Guide
• Conquest Hidden Rewards Guide
• How to Redeem Codes
• Best Batting Stance
• Best Hitting View & PCI Settings
• Sidearm & Submarine Pitchers

Below, we'll go over all the most important MLB The Show 24 controls on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. If you haven't found the right fit for you, we'll also go over all the MLB The Show 24 controls interfaces you can select and how to choose one. 

Hitting Controls

When it comes to hitting, you can choose from the Zone, Directional, or Timing interface. If you plan to play online or on any higher difficulties, you need to start using Zone and getting accustomed to that style. While Directional and Timing are simpler, they're also more limited and constrained to player ratings compared to your own input.

Here are the main MLB The Show 24 hitting controls you need to know:

If you're using the Analog Input Type for each swing, instead follow the directional controls shown in the image above. You can still Check Swing with buttons input if you release quickly enough, but it takes practice to nail down the timing on this.

Pitching Controls

There are five different pitching interfaces to choose from in MLB The Show 24. If you want the most potential control over each pitch, nothing compares to being adept at Pinpoint Pitching. Unfortunately, if you're not good at the Pinpoint Pitching gesture motions then it'll be far more detrimental than beneficial.

Meter, Pure Analog, and Pulse are all about evenly matched when it comes to control and accuracy once you're good at the timing of each interface. They're not quite at the Pinpoint Pitching tier, but you're better off being good at one of these than bombing when you attemp Pinpoint as an interface. Lastly, players can choose Classic for the easiest experience, but your accuracy can vary widely based on pitcher attributes.

While the motion and pitch controls will depend on your interface selection, here are the MLB The Show 24 pitching controls everyone will need to know:

Fielding and Throwing Controls

When it comes to throwing the ball and overall fielding, there are several MLB The Show 24 controls for players to take into account. While the simpler Buttons and Analog interfaces work fine for those who need them, Button Accuracy is the better choice for those who want a higher chance of triggering more advanced (and sometimes faster) throwing animations.

Here are all the MLB The Show 24 fielding and throwing controls players need to know, with these being specific to Button and Button Accuracy interfaces:

If you prefer to let the CPU make a decision between whether jumping or diving at a ball is the better choice, go into Control Settings under Defense and switch Dive/Jump to One Button. Once changed, both the Jump and Dive buttons will trigger either type based on the CPU's determination on which is more appropriate for your current situation.

Baserunning Controls

You'll have two main interface choices for the MLB The Show 24 baserunning controls with Analog Select or Button Select. With Analog Select, you'll use the Left Stick to pick a baserunner then the face buttons to send them to a specific base.

Button Select will instead use the face buttons to pick a baserunner and then the Directional Pad to choose which base to send them to. You can also go with Auto Baserunning, but even in that case you can override to advance or retreat all runners.

With the two interfaces being so different in this case, first here are the MLB The Show 24 controls for Analog Select Baserunning: 

Next, here are the MLB The Show 24 controls for Button Select Baserunning:

Lastly, regardless of which interface you're using, it's helpful to know the MLB The Show 24 sliding controls seen above. Try to keep in mind the position of the fielder closest to you when deciding which type of slide to make.