TL;DR
- Shohei Ohtani offers unmatched two-way value with elite hitting and pitching attributes
- Tarik Skubal’s 99 velocity rating makes him the hardest thrower in the game
- Chris Sale’s 99 break rating provides devastating pitch movement for veteran reliability
- Paul Skenes combines 99 velocity and 99 break for maximum strikeout potential
- Blake Snell’s 100 clutch rating ensures dominant performance in critical situations
Constructing a dominant pitching staff in MLB The Show 25 requires strategic investment in elite arms who can consistently shut down opposing lineups. The difference between a championship-caliber team and an average roster often comes down to having at least one ace pitcher who can dominate in crucial matchups. Based on comprehensive analysis of player ratings, real-world performance data, and in-game mechanics, we’ve identified the five most valuable pitchers worth targeting with your hard-earned MLB The Show 25 stubs.
Understanding pitcher attributes is essential for making informed roster decisions. Key metrics like H/9 (hits per nine innings), K/9 (strikeouts per nine), and BB/9 (walks per nine) directly impact how frequently batters make contact, generate strikeouts, and draw walks. Meanwhile, velocity, break, control, and clutch ratings determine pitch effectiveness and performance under pressure.
1. Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Overall Rating: 91
Attributes:
• H/9: 94
• K/9: 88
• BB/9: 50
• HR/9: 98
• Control: 69
• Velocity: 96
• Break: 93
• Clutch: 93
Shohei Ohtani represents the most unique and valuable asset in MLB The Show 25, combining elite pitching capabilities with top-tier offensive production. His 91 overall rating as a pitcher is complemented by equally impressive hitting attributes, allowing you to maximize roster flexibility by using him as both a starting pitcher and designated hitter.
Strategic Advantage: Ohtani’s dual-position capability means you’re effectively getting two elite players for the price of one roster spot. His 98 HR/9 rating indicates exceptional ability to prevent home runs, while his 96 velocity ensures his fastball remains one of the most challenging pitches to hit in the game. The 50 BB/9 rating suggests control challenges, so focus on pitch sequencing rather than painting corners.
Common Mistake: Many players underutilize Ohtani by only pitching with him. Always slot him into your lineup as a hitter on days he’s not starting to maximize his value proposition.
2. Tarik Skubal (Detroit Tigers)
Overall Rating: 87
Attributes:
• H/9: 85
• K/9: 72
• BB/9: 82
• HR/9: 79
• Control: 83
• Velocity: 99
• Break: 71
• Clutch: 75
Tarik Skubal’s real-world breakout 2024 season, where he led the American League in strikeouts and captured the AL Cy Young Award, directly translates to his elite status in MLB The Show 25. His 99 velocity rating makes him the hardest-throwing pitcher available, creating significant timing challenges for opposing batters.
Pitching Mechanics: Skubal’s exceptional velocity should be paired with his 83 control rating to paint the edges of the strike zone effectively. The 71 break rating indicates his secondary pitches have solid movement, but rely primarily on his fastball-slider combination for maximum effectiveness.
Advanced Tip: Use Skubal’s fastball up in the zone to generate swings and misses, then drop his slider low and away against right-handed hitters for optimal results.

3. Chris Sale (Atlanta Braves)
Overall Rating: 87
Attributes:
• H/9: 80
• K/9: 75
• BB/9: 78
• HR/9: 76
• Control: 81
• Velocity: 94
• Break: 99
• Clutch: 80
Chris Sale brings veteran consistency and devastating pitch movement to your rotation, with his 99 break rating representing the highest possible movement on his secondary pitches. This elite break makes his slider and changeup particularly effective against both right and left-handed batters.
Pitch Selection Strategy: Sale’s repertoire should focus on establishing his fastball early, then utilizing his elite-breaking pitches to generate weak contact and strikeouts.
Common Pitfall: Avoid overusing Sale’s breaking balls early in counts, as this can lead to predictable patterns. Instead, mix in his 94-velocity fastball to keep hitters off balance throughout the game.
Consistency Factor: With balanced attributes across H/9, K/9, and BB/9, Sale provides reliable performance start after start without the volatility of younger pitchers.
4. Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Overall Rating: 86
Attributes:
• H/9: 82
• K/9: 77
• BB/9: 73
• HR/9: 76
• Control: 75
• Velocity: 99
• Break: 99
• Clutch: 94
Paul Skenes represents the most exciting young arm in MLB The Show 25, combining rare 99 velocity with 99 break for arguably the most devastating raw stuff among all pitchers. His combination of elite attributes at such a young age makes him a long-term investment with potential for rating increases throughout the season.
Development Trajectory: As a rising star with limited major league experience, Skenes’ ratings could see significant boosts with strong real-world performance updates.
Velocity and Break Combination: Few pitchers in the game possess both maximum velocity and maximum break ratings. This unique profile allows Skenes to miss bats with both his fastball and secondary pitches.
Advanced Insight: Despite his 75 control rating, Skenes’ pure stuff is so dominant that he can succeed by attacking the heart of the strike zone and letting his movement generate weak contact.
5. Blake Snell (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Overall Rating: 85
Attributes:
• H/9: 101
• K/9: 84
• BB/9: 45
• HR/9: 77
• Control: 79
• Velocity: 83
• Break: 99
• Clutch: 100
Blake Snell brings championship pedigree and elite strikeout capabilities to your rotation, highlighted by his perfect 100 clutch rating that ensures dominant performance in high-pressure situations. His 101 H/9 rating is among the best in the game for limiting base hits.
High-Leverage Situations: Snell’s 100 clutch rating means he performs at his absolute best when the game is on the line.
Control Management: With a 45 BB/9 rating indicating control challenges, focus on working ahead in counts and using his 99 break rating to generate swings on pitches outside the zone.
Strategic Deployment: Consider using Snell in crucial series-deciding games or against elite opponents where his clutch performance can make the difference between victory and defeat.
Building a championship-caliber rotation requires more than just collecting high-rated pitchers—it demands strategic planning around how these arms complement each other and fit your overall team construction philosophy.
Rotation Optimization: Consider pairing power pitchers like Skubal and Skenes with more controlled artists like Sale to create a balanced staff that can attack opponents in multiple ways.
Stub Investment Priorities: When allocating your MLB The Show 25 stubs, prioritize Ohtani for his unmatched two-way value, then target the pitcher whose attributes best address your team’s specific needs.
Common Team Building Error: Avoid stacking multiple pitchers with similar control issues, as this can lead to inconsistent performance across your rotation.
These elite pitchers provide the foundation for dominating MLB The Show 25. Whether you need a veteran anchor like Chris Sale or an emerging superstar like Paul Skenes, each brings unique strengths that can elevate your team to championship contention.
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Action Checklist
- Prioritize acquiring Shohei Ohtani for maximum roster flexibility and two-way production
- Evaluate your current rotation needs and target pitchers who complement existing strengths
- Balance power pitchers with control artists to create a versatile rotation
- Monitor player performance updates for potential rating boosts, especially for young players like Skenes
- Implement specific pitching strategies based on each pitcher’s attribute strengths and limitations
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