Getting promoted to the majors in MLB The Show 25’s Road to the Show (RTTS) can feel like a grind, especially when you’re racking up stats but still stuck in the minors. After spending hours navigating the system myself—and diving into community insights—here’s a breakdown of what actually gets you that coveted call-up.
1. Your Overall Rating (OVR) Is the Key
In MLB The Show 25’s Road to the Show, your Overall Rating (OVR) is arguably the most important factor in getting promoted to the majors. While stats like batting average, home runs, or strikeouts matter to some extent, the game’s promotion logic places more weight on your player’s attributes than pure performance.
Many players find themselves dominating AA or AAA with MVP-level numbers but staying stuck in the minors because their OVR is still too low. Typically, you need to reach a minimum OVR threshold—often around 70–72—to be considered MLB-ready. This is especially true for balanced or two-way players, where both pitching and hitting attributes must rise together. Focusing only on one aspect (e.g., being a great hitter but neglecting fielding or speed) can stall your promotion.
To boost your OVR efficiently:
- Prioritize attribute upgrades that impact your primary role (e.g., power/contact for hitters, velocity/control for pitchers).
- Regularly complete performance-based challenges to earn progression tokens.
- Avoid wasting resources on non-core stats unless they contribute significantly to your OVR.
2. Play Every Game—Don’t Simulate
It’s tempting to simulate games when you feel confident or want to rush through a season. However, simulating can slow or even halt your progression entirely. The game rewards hands-on performance with attribute boosts and token earnings, which are essential for increasing your OVR and unlocking promotion opportunities.
By manually playing every game:
- You control key moments that determine your ratings and progression points.
- You earn more Archetype progression by meeting in-game goals (e.g., 3 hits in a game, 7 strikeouts as a pitcher).
- You improve your clutch performance stats, which weigh into your player evaluation.
Skipping games means missing these moments, and in Road to the Show, consistency is everything. Even if your simulated stats look solid, your attributes won’t grow the same way, keeping you behind others who grind every inning.
If you’re looking to speed up your progression in MLB The Show 25—especially in modes like Diamond Dynasty where resources matter—having more Stubs on hand can make a big difference. Whether you want to buy equipment to boost your Road to the Show player or stack your Ultimate Team with elite cards, investing wisely in your in-game economy is key. For players who want a head start without breaking the bank, there are plenty of cheap MLB The Show 25 Stubs for sale that can help you gear up faster and stay competitive throughout the season.
3. Choose Your Organization Wisely
The team that drafts you can make or break your path to the big leagues. If you’re drafted by a franchise that already has strong players at your position in the majors (and even at AAA), you’ll face more competition for a call-up.
For example, if you’re a shortstop and the MLB club has a 90+ rated All-Star at that spot, your path will be blocked no matter how well you perform. In contrast, joining a rebuilding team with gaps in your position allows you to move up faster.
To improve your chances:
- During the setup phase, you can influence your draft destination by choosing your responses carefully or selecting a team outright.
- Once drafted, check the team depth chart regularly (under the League tab) to monitor who’s above you.
- If you’re stuck, consider requesting a position change. The system may offer this if your path is blocked—accepting a switch to a secondary position (e.g., from 3B to 1B) might get you called up faster.
4. Focus on Attribute Development
In Road to the Show (RTTS), your player’s performance is important—but your underlying attributes are what truly define your progress. Attributes like Contact, Power, Fielding, Speed, and Pitch Control directly feed into your Overall Rating (OVR), which—as mentioned earlier—is a key trigger for getting called up.
To develop attributes effectively in MLB The Show 25:
- Earn and spend Training Tokens: Tokens are gained through in-game performance (hitting goals, pitching efficiently, stealing bases, etc.). These are then used to upgrade your core skills.
- Participate in training sessions: Between series or during off-days, you’ll be given training opportunities. Don’t skip these. Choose sessions that align with your archetype or weak points (e.g., choose “Batting Cage” to improve Contact and Vision).
- Equip Archetypes and Perks: These special cards can give you boosts to your attributes. For example, an Archetype that boosts Power and Discipline can help your slugger progress faster. Be sure to equip the highest-rated ones available and upgrade them over time.
Players who level up their attributes consistently—even without elite stats—tend to get promoted faster than those who just rack up box score highlights but neglect progression.
5. Understand the New Progression System
MLB The Show 25 introduced a streamlined and slightly reworked player progression system in RTTS, replacing the old training point model with a cleaner, token-based structure. This system rewards you based on how you play rather than just your results.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Skill-specific challenges pop up during games (e.g., “Hit a double or better,” “Record 2 strikeouts in one inning”). Successfully completing these gives more XP and progression toward specific skills.
- Progression is tracked per Archetype and Loadout: Your development is tied not just to your player, but to the Archetype you’re using. For example, if you’re using the “Slugger” archetype, you’ll progress in Power and Batting-specific skills. This means changing archetypes resets your progression in a sense—so stick to one until it’s maxed.
- Progression can stall if you don’t adapt**: If you’re failing challenges or playing inconsistently, the system won’t reward you. That’s why staying focused and playing every moment matters.
The good news? Once you understand the system, you can manipulate it to speed up your path to the big leagues—stack loadouts, crush in-game objectives, and keep investing those earned tokens smartly.
6. Build and Optimize Your Loadout
Your Loadout in MLB The Show 25 RTTS is more than just cosmetic—it directly influences how fast your player progresses. A Loadout includes your Archetype, equipment, and Perks, all of which contribute to your attribute ratings and in-game performance.
To optimize your Loadout:
- Choose the right Archetype: Each Archetype focuses on specific attributes. For example, the “Speedster” boosts Speed and Stealing, while “Slugger” enhances Power. Pick one that fits your playstyle and goals.
- Use Equipment wisely: Equip gear (gloves, cleats, bats, etc.) that boosts the most important attributes for your position. Even small boosts (+3 to Contact or Speed) can make a difference over time.
- Stack Perks strategically: Some Perks increase your chances of hitting in clutch situations or improve plate vision. Use ones that help with consistent performance and challenge success.
A well-balanced Loadout can push your OVR higher without grinding as hard in gameplay, giving you a faster path to MLB readiness.
7. Maintain Consistency Across Games
Promotions in RTTS are based on long-term consistency, not just highlight-reel performances. Going 5-for-5 with two home runs once is great—but if you’re striking out the rest of the week, it won’t help your progression.
Tips to stay consistent:
- Focus on completing in-game goals rather than just flashy plays. Objectives like “Get on base twice” or “Pitch a scoreless inning” are rewarded with progression points.
- Avoid long cold streaks. A bad stretch of games can delay your promotion, especially if you’re close to being called up.
- Know your strengths and stick to them. If your player is built around power hitting, don’t chase contact-based challenges unless you’re confident.
Consistency builds trust with your organization’s system, and the in-game logic reflects that.
8. Pay Attention to Organizational Depth
Even if you’re doing everything right, organizational depth can hold you back. If your MLB team already has top-tier players at your position, you may remain in AAA longer than expected.
Here’s what you can do:
- Check the roster of the MLB team regularly. If they’ve signed a star free agent at your position, you might want to consider a role change.
- If the team keeps calling up other players, request a trade. This feature is usually available after you’ve proven yourself at the minor league level.
- Accept positional flexibility when offered. Sometimes, your manager will suggest a move (e.g., from SS to 2B or OF). Accepting can create a quicker route to the show.
Being adaptable often pays off quicker than stubbornly waiting for the perfect role to open up.
9. Complete Side Activities and Training Events
RTTS includes optional off-field activities like bullpen sessions, batting practice, and focus training events. While many players skip these to rush through the schedule, these sessions provide free attribute boosts and progression bonuses.
Don’t skip them—here’s why:
- Batting cage drills increase Contact, Power, and Vision.
- Fielding sessions help with Reaction, Arm Strength, and Fielding ability.
- Bullpen work improves your control and velocity if you’re a pitcher.
They only take a minute or two to complete, and the small attribute gains add up over a season. Especially early on, these extra boosts can help push you past the 70+ OVR mark.
10. Be Patient—Progression Takes Time
Lastly, patience is part of the grind. Even if you’re doing everything right, your call-up may take a season or more. RTTS is designed to simulate the minor league journey—it’s not supposed to be instant.
Here’s how to stay motivated:
- Celebrate small milestones: hitting your first AAA home run, earning a silver perk, or hitting a 75 OVR can be motivating.
- Mix in other modes (e.g., Diamond Dynasty or Franchise) to avoid burnout.
- Don’t overthink a delay. Sometimes, the game simply wants more games logged before triggering promotion logic.
Eventually, if you keep your OVR rising and play consistently, the big call will come—and it’ll feel earned.
