MLB The Show 20 is back for a new season! Developer SIE San Diego Studios is switch-hitting new modes and mechanics to keep the series fresh. Take a seat with the couch coach for the full game plan.

Here’s the rundown coming at you faster than high heat:

• Improved AI: Technology continues to advance in reality and on the virtual diamond. More realistic automatic movements and menacing matchups are warming up for you in the bullpen.  
• Better graphics: MLB The Show 20 did more than shine cleats and polish bats. Veterans will notice sharper details. Rookies can also look forward to more immersive graphics.
• New Perfect Perfect hitting tier: One of life's greatest challenges is hitting a round ball with a round bat at 100 miles per hour. That challenge just got harder, yet more satisfying.
• Hundreds of new animations: Try to find them all. The developers worked hard to replicate a more realistic league with unique reactions to specific scenarios. Now we just need 7th inning stretch YMCA moves.
• New customization options for Franchise Mode: Get crafty on and off the field. Bring your original logo into the game and make teams more personal with customizable names and colors. Have designer's block? Steal inspiration or use another player's creation from the online Vault.
• Road to the Show: Team chemistry is important. Work well with your teammates to perform at peak potential. Tailor Dynamic Challenges according to which stats you want to improve, then master the new multi reward challenges to increase on-field personality gain opportunities and speed up perk progression.
• The Diamond Club: Diamond Club highlights the most effective players in the majors at every position. Your favorite player can still be a star even if they aren't a diamond. 
• Create and customize your own online leagues with friends: Become commissioner. Build brackets, set the total number of teams, and alter whatever other rules fit your personal ballpark. If your friends form a league of their own, you can best them on their own terms.
• March to October Mode updates: Two-thirds of the year is officially more exciting. March to October Mode now includes a diverse range of compelling high leverage situations designed to make every month more fun. Calling up fresh talent also got an overhaul. Complete curated call-up episodes to round off the experience. The developers recommend Dynamic Difficulty for a smooth progression. The difficulty naturally increases as your skills improve throughout the mode.
• Showdown: This is a new mode in Diamond Dynasty. Build a solid foundation of players to start Showdown. These players will be crucial to your success early on. Pick perks to boost specific abilities and earn more draft rounds. Steadily strengthen the squad to match your signature playstyle, leading to unique attributes and lineups for different players.

Now it's your turn to slide into the spotlight and show your skills. Batter up!