MLB The Show 24 is just one week away from its early access release. Today, SDS finally showed us the new updates coming to offline modes like Franchise and RTTS. Some of these additions include things fans have been asking for over the last several years!
Road to the Show
We’ll start with Road to the Show since it got the most significant updates. Earlier this week, we reported on the announcement that female ballplayers would now be usable for the first time in MLB The Show history. During today’s Feature Premiere, SDS expanded upon this addition. They also talked about the addition of your friend in this mode, who will also be working towards the big leagues at the same time as you.
On top of this addition, a few other updates are coming to the mode, whether you play as a male or female ballplayer. The new MLB Draft Combine allows you to make your mark on MLB teams before the draft. During the combine, you will go through a prospect showcase where you run through a series of drills. You will then play three combine games with other prospects. Throughout the combine, you will be able to see your draft stock go up or down based on your performance. You will also be able to view your scouting report, as well as your MLB comparison.
There is also a new change that will affect your play in the field. In the past, there have been settings in the mode where you have to complete a quick-time event to make a throw or dive to field a ground ball. This has been expanded upon. There are new situations where these quick-time events will pop up. This includes hard-turning throws or making a tag at home plate. Some of these will require you to move the glove to an area and press a button. Others will have you press a series of buttons in a certain amount of time.
The final change was probably the biggest. Ever since MLB The Show 21, fans have asked for the integration between RTTS and Diamond Dynasty to be removed. This year, that has finally happened. Created players from RTTS will no longer be usable in Diamond Dynasty!
Franchise & MTO
Now let’s talk about the Franchise mode additions coming to MLB The Show 24. The biggest change coming this year is the addition of game entry settings. In previous years, you have been able to turn on critical situations. This feature prompted you to jump into games during key moments. Now, you will be able to tune when you get prompted for these moments. You can customize how important the situation of the game is to you. You can also set how late in the game you want it to be before you get prompted. Finally, you can turn on or off situations based on player highlights, like finishing the cycle or closing out a shutout.
Last year, the new prospect and scouting systems were implemented into Franchise mode. This year, the logic for this system has been adjusted. The logic for undrafted and unsigned players has been improved. These are the players that don’t get drafted or signed and show back up in later drafts. These players will progress throughout the year by going to college, so they will be more likely to be selected the next time.
The Prospect Promotion Incentives have been added into Franchise mode. These rules allow clubs to be compensated with draft picks for having prospects on their Opening Day roster, instead of suppressing them in the minor leagues. Along with these rules, a new menu has been added to show you which prospects qualify for these rules.
Finally, an Awards tab has been added to player cards. This will track all of the awards a player wins throughout their career. Also, when starting a new Franchise, you will be able to load in a current roster that also includes the current injuries around MLB.
March to October was not mentioned during the Feature Premiere. In the past, most features that come to Franchise also have come to MTO, but there was no confirmation of that yet. It remains to be seen if other features are being added to MTO this year.