Catching 'Em Stealin': A Hilarious Guide to Quick Picks in MLB The Show 23
Ah, the age-old battle. You, the cunning pitcher, versus those pesky base runners with itchy steal fingers. They think they're all Rickey Henderson out there, a blur of base-swiping brilliance. Well, my friend, it's time to school them in the art of the quick pick.
Step 1: Become a Pick-Off Picasso (or at least a Jackson Pollock)
First things first, you gotta know the controls. Here's your cheat sheet, because nobody wants a pick-off attempt that resembles your grandpa trying to text:
- PlayStation (4 & 5): Hold L2 + the corresponding base button (Circle for 1st, Triangle for 2nd, Square for 3rd).
- Xbox (One & Series S/X): Hold LT + the corresponding base button (A for 1st, X for 2nd, Y for 3rd).
- Nintendo Switch: Hold ZL + the corresponding base button (A for 1st, X for 2nd, Y for 3rd).
Now, those are your basic pick-offs. But we're aiming for quick picks, the kind that make base runners do a faceplant into the dirt because they were too busy daydreaming about stealing home. Here's the secret sauce:
- Double tap the base button after holding L2/LT/ZL. It's like a pick-off on fast forward, baby!
Pro Tip: Master the quick pick, but don't overdo it. You don't want the batter to pick up on your tells and start taking forever in the box because they know you're itching to throw someone out. Patience is key, my friend.
Step 2: Know Your Target (The Art of Baserunner Profiling)
Not all base runners are created equal. Here's your guide to who to target for those sweet, sweet quick pick outs:
- The Eager Beaver: This guy's got a bigger lead than a marathon runner. He's practically halfway to second before you've even wound up. Easy pickings, unless he's got a case of the yips and gets thrown out trying to steal home on a 1-0 count (hey, it happens!).
- The Rookie: New to the big leagues? Those base stealing jitters are real. Target these guys with some well-timed quick picks to make them think twice about testing your arm next time.
Word to the Wise: Be wary of the veterans. They've seen it all, and a well-placed quick pick might just turn into a stolen base if they lay down a perfect bunt.
Step 3: The Art of the Fake-Out (Because Even Pitchers Can Be Sneaky)
The best way to catch a base runner stealing? Make them think you're not even thinking about it. Here's where the deceptive pick-off comes in:
- Hold L2/LT/ZL, then tap and hold the base button. This throws off the runner's timing, making them think you're going into your windup, then BAM! Fake-out city.
Remember: Don't overuse the deceptive pick-off. It's like that one joke you keep telling - funny the first time, annoying the tenth.
Step 4: Revel in Your Glory (Because Strikeouts Aren't the Only Way to Shine)
You've done it! You've caught that pesky base runner napping. Time to celebrate (internally, of course, don't want to get a balk called). A quick fist pump, a silent "gotcha," that's all you need.
Bonus Tip: If you're feeling extra spicy, unload a friendly "How's the weather on first?" as the runner gets back to the base. Just make sure you have good stuff on the mound, because a weak fastball after that kind of talk might land you in a staredown with the batter.
With these tips in your pitching arsenal, you'll be throwing out base runners left and right. Remember, practice makes perfect, so get out there and start pickin'! Just don't forget to mix it up, keep the batters guessing, and most importantly, have some fun shutting down those steal attempts!
