In MLB The Show 25, the Franchise Mode offers players the opportunity to take control of a major league team MLB The Show 25 Stubs and steer it toward championship glory. Whether you're inheriting a team in need of a complete overhaul or one that requires a few tweaks, rebuilding a franchise is one of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of the game. The key to a successful rebuild lies in scouting, development, and a long-term strategy that focuses on youth, future assets, and smart trades. Below are the top 10 best rebuild teams in MLB The Show 25, based on their current roster, potential for improvement, and room for growth.
1. Detroit Tigers
Why They’re a Great Rebuild:
The Detroit Tigers are a prime candidate for a rebuild in MLB The Show 25. Their current roster features a mix of veteran players with expensive contracts and younger prospects still developing in the minors. This provides the perfect opportunity to cut ties with older players, stockpile draft picks, and develop a young core around the promising talent in their system.
Key Players to Build Around:
Riley Greene (OF): One of the Tigers' top prospects, Greene has the potential to become a cornerstone player for the franchise. His combination of contact and power makes him an ideal long-term building block.
Spencer Torkelson (1
: Torkelson has high power potential, which makes him a future slugger in the middle of the lineup.
Rebuilding Strategy:
Focus on trading away veterans like Miguel Cabrera and Javier Báez to clear cap space and acquire young prospects. Target pitching depth and add some high-ceiling arms to the farm system.
2. Oakland Athletics
Why They’re a Great Rebuild:
The Oakland Athletics are another franchise primed for a major rebuild. Historically, they’ve been a team that builds through trades and smart acquisitions rather than big-money signings. In MLB The Show 25, they continue to have a low payroll, which means you’ll have room to build the team slowly, stockpiling prospects and focusing on their farm system.
Key Players to Build Around:
Tyler Soderstrom (C): The young catcher has a lot of offensive potential and is the key piece of the Athletics’ future.
Zach Logue (SP): A young pitcher with a solid skill set that can be developed into a frontline starter.
Rebuilding Strategy:
Trade veterans like Sean Murphy and Seth Brown to acquire as many prospects and draft picks as possible. Focus on developing pitchers and bolstering the minor league system. Use the A's ability to scout well to uncover hidden gems from smaller markets.
3. Chicago Cubs
Why They’re a Great Rebuild:
While the Chicago Cubs have a talented roster, they are in the middle of a transition. After a few years of mediocrity, their rebuild in MLB The Show 25 will be centered around developing younger talent and finding ways to retool their lineup. Their high-profile market also gives them access to big names in free agency once their rebuild is on track.
Key Players to Build Around:
Christopher Morel (INF): A versatile player with good power, Morel could be a key building block in the Cubs’ future.
Seiya Suzuki (OF): A talented outfielder who could provide consistency for years to come.
Rebuilding Strategy:
Keep the current core intact for the short term, but trade veterans such as Ian Happ and Marcus Stroman to free up cap space and acquire more prospects. The Cubs have one of the more promising farm systems, so their future is bright if handled carefully.
4. Kansas City Royals
Why They’re a Great Rebuild:
The Kansas City Royals are a team that is slowly emerging from a rebuild, but there's still plenty of work to be done. In MLB The Show 25, they’re positioned to make a push for the playoffs in a few years, but that means focusing on player development, good trades, and taking advantage of a favorable farm system.
Key Players to Build Around:
Bobby Witt Jr. (SS): One of the top young players in the league, Witt has the tools to be a franchise player for years to come.
MJ Melendez (C): A promising bat who could evolve into one of the best catchers in baseball.
Rebuilding Strategy:
Trade aging veterans and focus on developing the young players like Witt and Melendez. Build around their strong infield and add some pitching depth to the mix. The Royals’ farm system is full of potential, so continue to develop those players for the future.
5. Miami Marlins
Why They’re a Great Rebuild:
Despite having a small-market budget, the Miami Marlins are in a unique position to rebuild quickly in MLB The Show 25. With a few key players already in place, their farm system has the potential to produce a few stars. The Marlins need a solid mix of veterans and prospects to put them on the map.
Key Players to Build Around:
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2
: A dynamic player who can hit for both power and average. Chisholm is one of the most exciting players to build a franchise around.
Jesus Luzardo (SP): A young pitcher who has shown flashes of brilliance and could be the ace of their staff.
Rebuilding Strategy:
Start by moving any aging players like Avisail Garcia and Jorge Soler. Use their value to stockpile prospects. Focus on upgrading the pitching staff, particularly in the bullpen, while building a lineup around Chisholm and Luzardo.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates
Why They’re a Great Rebuild:
The Pittsburgh Pirates are at the beginning stages of their rebuild and have a lot of promising young talent. In MLB The Show 25, their young roster gives them a solid foundation for the future. With some smart trades and free-agent pickups, they could be a playoff contender in a few years.
Key Players to Build Around:
Oneil Cruz (SS): One of the most exciting young players in baseball with incredible power and speed. He’s the perfect building block.
Ke'Bryan Hayes (3
: A fantastic defensive player with the potential to be a consistent offensive contributor.
Rebuilding Strategy:
The Pirates have one of the best farm systems in the game, so it’s important to keep focusing on player development. Move veterans like Bryan Reynolds for prospects and continue to build around Cruz and Hayes. Strengthen the bullpen and add starting pitching depth.
7. Washington Nationals
Why They’re a Great Rebuild:
The Washington Nationals are in the midst of a rebuild, with the team’s championship window closing. Their future, however, looks bright. With an aging core and a few stars in the minors, the Nationals will need to get creative in how they approach their rebuild.
Key Players to Build Around:
CJ Abrams (SS): A young shortstop with elite speed and defense who could develop into an All-Star.
MacKenzie Gore (SP): A promising pitcher with strikeout stuff and the potential to become the team’s ace.
Rebuilding Strategy:
Trade veterans like Patrick Corbin and Lane Thomas to clear payroll and acquire high-quality prospects. Build around Abrams and Gore, and focus on drafting talent to bolster the farm system further.
8. Colorado Rockies
Why They’re a Great Rebuild:
The Colorado Rockies may be a hitter-friendly team, but they are in desperate need of an overhaul. Their pitching staff is notoriously bad, so rebuilding the rotation should be the primary goal. Their lineup, however, has some pieces worth keeping.
Key Players to Build Around:
Ryan McMahon (3
: A great defensive player with good pop at the plate. He can anchor the Rockies’ lineup.
Brendan Rodgers (2
: A talented hitter who could be a centerpiece of the rebuild.
Rebuilding Strategy:
Trade away veterans like Charlie Blackmon and Kris Bryant to clear cap space and add pitching prospects. Focus on acquiring young pitchers with high potential who can eventually thrive in Coors Field.
9. Arizona Diamondbacks
Why They’re a Great Rebuild:
The Arizona Diamondbacks are another team with a bright future. In MLB The Show 25, they boast an impressive young roster, particularly in the outfield and pitching staff. The rebuild should focus on adding depth to their bullpen and infield.
Key Players to Build Around:
Corbin Carroll (OF): A dynamic outfielder with speed, power, and defense. Carroll is a cornerstone player for the future.
Zac Gallen (SP): A dominant pitcher who can be the ace of the staff for years.
Rebuilding Strategy:
Keep focusing on player development, particularly in the bullpen. Add a few key veterans to fill gaps in the lineup while the younger players mature.
10. Minnesota Twins
Why They’re a Great Rebuild:
The Minnesota Twins are in a unique position where they have a solid base of talent but need a few tweaks to reach contender status. Their rebuild will revolve around refining the bullpen and finding another key hitter to pair with Byron Buxton.
Key Players to Build Around:
Byron Buxton (CF): When healthy, Buxton is one of the most dynamic players in baseball.
Joe Ryan (SP): A young pitcher who could develop into a frontline starter.
Rebuilding Strategy:
Focus on adding depth around Buxton and Ryan, targeting high-quality bullpen arms and key hitters. The Twins have enough young talent to make a deep run in a few seasons.
Conclusion
Rebuilding a franchise in MLB The Show 25 is a rewarding challenge, and these 10 teams are among the best candidates for an exciting rebuild. Each of these franchises has unique strengths and weaknesses, but with the right strategy, player development, and trade acumen, they can be transformed into playoff contenders. Whether you’re focusing on building around young stars or trading for future assets, these teams will provide the ultimate test for
: Torkelson has high power potential, which makes him a future slugger in the middle of the lineup.