When sitting in the dugout after a brutal loss inMLB The Show 21and wondering where it all went wrong, the answer often lies with the equipment. If two gamers have a similar skill level, yet one uses equipment and the other does not, that’s a recipe for a 17-2 drubbing. In short, it’s not an aspect of the game that players can afford to neglect.
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Playing Road to the Show utilizes equipment that completely defines the gameplay experience inMLB The Show 21. It requires some investment into ticket stubs, especially for the highest-end equipment, but it pays off with home runs trots, strikeouts, victories, and championship titles. This guide will go over each piece of equipment and how it can influence the game.
Updated on November 17th, 2021 by Hodey Johns:This article has been getting a great deal of use and that makes sense, equipment in Road to the Show is what players are saving up their hard-earned stubs for. But with so many choices, the article has become a bit difficult to read. To help out with this, each section has a chart to keep it simple and easy to find for gamers who just want the name of the piece of gear to buy. However, for the readers who like the deep analysis, below these charts is an explanation of why these pieces of gear are the best and other potential options.
15Bats
Perhaps the most signature piece of equipment to any positional player, the bat boosts hitting strength, specifically in the areas of contact and power. Two well-rounded bats come with the game depending on the edition ordered, but those looking to really specialize in either power or contact can find bats that go as high as 9 to either attribute. A good bat can be the difference between a solid player and one ofthe best players in the game.
Contact Hitters
SM6 Pro Maple
There are only two statistics to consider for bats, those being Contact and Power. Sluggers will have a variety of bats that all tie for the best, just look for the cheapest bat with +9 to Power and +5 to Contact. If money is no object, then find the best-looking bat. Contact players also get a buffet of offerings as many bats have +6 to Power and +8 to Contact.
14Batting Gloves
Plate Vision doesn’t have much use for players who control each at-bat, but it cuts down on strikeouts when simulating. The other three statistics are all major hitting categories, so a good set of gloves goes a long way.
Pittards Reserve
The Pittards Reserve has +7 to Contact, so those looking for average will be pleased with the increased contact these gloves provide. Power hitters have several +6 Power options to choose from, but the Pro Knit V2 batting gloves give +6 to Clutch, so those are the best in the game since they’ll have an added benefit when knocking in RBIs.
13Fielding Glove
A good glove will boost every fielding attribute except for Reaction. This is good for fielders, but even more important for pitchers. Each glove has five attributes, 2-3 for fielding and 2-3 for pitching.Pitchers will want to nab one that has three of their most important traits on it.
It’s hard enough tolearn how to slide, dive, and jump, gamers don’t need their equipment holding them back.
Relief Pitchers
Gold Glove
Fielding is the single most important statistic for infielders, and the A2K AO1 has an unrivaled +13 to Fielding on it, making it so hard-hit grounders become no problem. Outfielders will need to prioritize Accuracy and Arm Strength to throw out runners on the basepaths and the Pro Elite has +9 to both of those attributes.
For pitchers, the glove defines throwing style. Generally, the Pro Limited is considered the best for contact pitchers because of its +10 to BB/9, HR/9, and Stamina. But those looking for a strikeout title might want to think about the Flawless with a +11 to K/9. Closing pitchers who need a strong Pitching Clutch stat will love the +11 on the Gold Glove.
12Cleats
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Gamers that control their own baserunners in Road to the Show or Diamond Dynasty won’t need Baserunning Aggressiveness, but those who haveturned off baserunningwill find themselves getting less irritated with runners who always seem to chicken out when going for home or backing off of a double with this attribute.Pitchers will treat this equipment slot exactly like the glovesby choosing a piece that has three of their core pitching stats on it.
3000v5
Adizero Afterburner 7.0
For position players, nothing is faster than the Adizero Afterburner 7.0 with their +14 Speed. The +10 to Stealing and +8 to Reaction make this an all-around best piece, too. Some cleats do slightly better in the Stealing attribute, but the speed on these more than compensates.
Relievers will also want to consider the Adizero Afterburner 7.0 for their best-in-class +10 to Pitching Clutch, but if overall stats are more important than dealing with baserunners, they can experiment with the 3000v5. Starters will be better off using the 3000v5 due to their +10 to K/9 and +6 to H/9. In this instance, contact and strikeout pitchers will both want to use this option.
11Catcher Mask
Players who choose the catcher position will absolutely love that they get three whole items slots all to themselves. First up, it’s the mask.
Best Catcher Mask
The Pro-SRZ catcher mask adds +8 to that figure. The next closest mask only adds +6. Although all of the masks appear to be diamond quality, they are unequal, so make sure not to buy the cheapest diamond catcher mask. It’s a common mistake that is unfair to the handful of players that pick this position.
10Chest Protector
By adding more Block,the number of wild pitches and passed balls are drastically reduced.
Best Chest Protector
Once again, the Pro-SRZ folks manage to make the indisputably best chest protector with a +5 to Block. All the others are +4 or less so take care again not to buy the cheapest gold chest piece. Also, don’t bother looking for a diamond quality item in this category, the highest the game has is gold.
9Leg Guards
Many of the game’s best pitchers have control issues because of their filthy breaking balls. By equipping all three pieces of equipment of the catcher, these pitchers are no longer in danger of ruining the game because of a bad knuckleball.
Best Leg Guards
In line with the last two items, absolutely nothing is better than the Pro-SRZ leg guards, which add +3 to Block, while the rest are +2 or less. This particular equipment slot has only silver equipment selections, but the silver choices are not equal, so, like before, be careful what gets bought when being thrifty.
8Elbow Guard
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Discipline is an irrelevant statistic in non-simulated experiences, butextra Durability makes it so players in Road to the Show don’t get benched from fatigue. That leads to more games in a season and, therefore, better statistics.
Best Elbow Guard
There is only one diamond-quality elbow guard, so it’s no surprise that it is also the best one. The Pro-SRZ Batter’s Extended Double Strap Elbow Guard will add +6 to Discipline and +5 to Durability. Durability is a very important attribute as more at-bats are generally better than adding any other statistic which would slightly increase the quality of each at-bat.
7Shin Guard
This equipment can boost the same statistics as the wrist guard but adds in Batting Clutch. It’s wise toditch Discipline for Batting Clutchon this piece unless playing many simulated games.
Best Shin Guard
The folks over at Pro-SRZ apparently know what they’re doing as, once again, they have the only diamond-level piece of equipment in this category. It’s the best across the board, giving +5 to Batting Clutch and Durability. Pitchers only get any use from Stamina on the mound, but even they can benefit from Durability throughout a long season.
6Wrist Guard
Identical to the elbow guard, the wrist guard boosts Discipline and Durability. Both can be equipped at the same time to give gamers a chance at Cal Ripken Jr’s consecutive game streak.
Best Wrist Guard
It’s safe to assume at this point that if it’s about protection, the Pro-SRZ is going to make the best version. They have the only diamond-quality wrist guard, adding +5 each to Discipline and Durability. Discipline applied to the success rate on check swings, which is rarely useful, but the Durability is worth its weight in gold.
