For mlb the show 25 stubsplayers who prefer precision, placement, and speed over brute force, few batting stances in MLB The Show 25 offer more finesse and versatility than Ichiro Suzuki’s. Modeled after one of baseball’s greatest contact hitters, this stance caters to a fundamentally different type of offense: getting on base, moving runners, and exploiting defensive gaps.

Analyzing Ichiro’s Unique Stance

Ichiro’s batting stance is unorthodox yet effective:

He begins with an upright, slightly closed stance and holds the bat high and away from his body.

His signature follow-through includes a slight step toward first base, giving him a running start—a reflection of his real-life ability to beat out grounders.

In The Show 25, Ichiro’s stance translates into a swing that feels lightning-quick and optimized for line drives and infield hits, particularly for left-handed batters.

Optimizing Contact and Speed

To adapt this stance for custom players or Road to the Show:

Set Stride Type to “Small” or “Medium” for quicker swing timing.

Keep Hand Offset X and Y high to maintain quick bat speed across the top of the zone.

Use Balanced or Contact swing types, especially when facing elite pitchers with movement-heavy arsenals.

Benefits of Ichiro’s Stance

Superior Bat Control: Ideal for executing hit-and-runs, bunts, and slap hits.

Improved Plate Coverage: Ichiro’s reach allows players to cover both sides of the plate with confidence.

Better Outcomes for Speedy Players: Combined with 85+ speed ratings, even weak contact can turn into base hits.

Ideal Game Scenarios

Ichiro’s stance is perfect in the following scenarios:

Leadoff situations where getting on base is critical.

Facing low-velocity control pitchers where timing is easier to manage.

Playing in offline Franchise or RTTS modes where manual baserunning is emphasized.

Strategic Adjustments

While Ichiro’s stance shines in contact scenarios, it may struggle with timing high-velocity inside fastballs. To counter this:

Shift Forward Foot Offset X slightly inward to react faster to inside pitches.

Adjust your Batting View to a closer camera to better pick up spin on low breaking balls.

Training Recommendations

Use batting practice mode to train against:

High-contact inside pitching (e.g., cutters and two-seamers).

Low breaking pitches that often induce groundouts—practice lifting these pitches into the outfield.

Conclusion

Ichiro’s stance in MLB The Show 25 is a masterclass in contact and finesse. It's not about crushing the ball over the wall—it's about placing it where fielders aren’t and pressuring defenses with speed and timing. If you're building a team that manufactures runs rather than blasting them, or if you enjoy a more strategic and surgical approach to batting, Ichiro’s stance is the ideal template. With enough repetition and awareness, it becomes one of the most efficient ways to consistently get on base.