In MLB The Show, plate discipline affects how well a batter can be selective at the plate, specifically their ability to decide which pitches to swing at and which to let go. This skill influences the likelihood of swinging at pitches outside the strike zone and the success rate of check swings. Players with high plate discipline are better at avoiding bad pitches, leading to more walks, fewer strikeouts, and better pitch selection overall. This results in more opportunities to get on base and put pressure on the pitcher
. More specifically in MLB The Show gameplay mechanics:
- Plate discipline increases the chance that a check swing will be successful, helping the batter avoid striking out on borderline pitches
- It complements other hitting attributes like Plate Vision (which affects the size of the Plate Coverage Indicator or PCI, making it easier to make contact) and Contact (which affects the quality of contact once the ball is hit)
Overall, plate discipline in MLB The Show simulates a batter’s real-life ability to be patient and selective, improving offensive production by forcing pitchers to throw strikes and increasing the batter’s chances of getting better pitches to hit. This makes it a valuable tool for controlling at-bats and increasing offensive efficiency