Choosing the Right College in MLB The Show 25
MLB The Show 25 features eight college teams in its Road to the Show mode, each offering unique strengths in exposure, skill development, and specialized perks. The ranking balances these factors to help players choose the ideal program for their virtual baseball career. Below is the definitive ranking of all available teams, along with key details to guide your decision.
College Team Rankings
1. Cal State Fullerton Titans
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Exposure: ★★★★☆ | Skill Development: ★★★★★
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Perk: Contact
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Notable Alumni: Justin Turner, Matt Chapman, Michael Lorenzen
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Location: Fullerton, California
With perfect skill development and strong exposure, Cal State Fullerton is rebuilding its legacy while offering a balanced path to the majors.
2. Tennessee Volunteers
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Exposure: ★★★★★ | Skill Development: ★★★★☆
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Perk: Contact
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Notable Alumni: Todd Helton, Garrett Crochet
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Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
Tennessee boasts top-tier exposure and a dynasty-focused pitch, making it ideal for players prioritizing visibility.
3. LSU Tigers
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Exposure: ★★★★★ | Skill Development: ★★★☆☆
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Perk: Gold Power
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Notable Alumni: Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews, Alex Bregman
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Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Fresh off a 2023 championship, LSU maximizes exposure but lags in skill development. Its gold Power perk suits power hitters.
4. Texas Longhorns
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Exposure: ★★★★★ | Skill Development: ★★★☆☆
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Perk: Gold Defense
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Notable Alumni: Roger Clemens, Brandon Belt
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Location: Austin, Texas
A historic program with six national titles, Texas offers elite exposure and a gold Defense perk for defensive specialists.
5. TCU Horned Frogs
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Exposure: ★★★☆☆ | Skill Development: ★★★★★
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Perk: Power
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Notable Alumni: Nick Lodolo, Jake Arrieta
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Location: Fort Worth, Texas
TCU is the top choice for skill development, though its lower exposure may delay draft hype.
6. South Carolina Gamecocks
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Exposure: ★★★★☆ | Skill Development: ★★★★☆
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Perk: Contact
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Notable Alumni: Christian Walker, Whit Merrifield
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Location: Columbia, South Carolina
A balanced option with recent championship pedigree, ideal for steady growth.
7. UCLA Bruins
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Exposure: ★★★☆☆ | Skill Development: ★★★★☆
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Perk: Speed (unique)
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Notable Alumni: Gerrit Cole, Jackie Robinson
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Location: Los Angeles, California
UCLA’s exclusive Speed perk caters to base stealers but sacrifices exposure.
8. Vanderbilt Commodores
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Exposure: ★★★★☆ | Skill Development: ★★★☆☆
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Perk: Gold package (unspecified)
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Notable Alumni: Dansby Swanson, Walker Buehler
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Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Despite a gold perk, Vanderbilt’s middling skill development places it last.
Key Comparison
Team | Exposure | Skill Development | Unique Perk |
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Cal State Fullerton | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | Contact |
Tennessee | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Contact |
LSU | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | Gold Power |
Texas | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | Gold Defense |
TCU | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | Power |
South Carolina | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | Contact |
UCLA | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | Speed |
Vanderbilt | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Gold package |
Final Considerations
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Prioritize exposure if draft status matters: Tennessee, LSU, or Texas.
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Maximize skill growth: Cal State Fullerton or TCU.
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Specialized perks: LSU (Power), Texas (Defense), UCLA (Speed).
Choose based on your player’s archetype and long-term goals. Power hitters may favor LSU, while contact-focused players thrive at Cal State or Tennessee.
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