"March to October" makes its debut in this game. "Moments" lets the user relive and recreate famous moments in MLB history. This mode will be intertwined with the MLB The Show's "Diamond Dynasty", but also can be played strictly offline. As the user complete moments, they receive rewards like diamond dynasty cards and stubs, the game's virtual currency.
The game also features an improved emphasis on defense, with updated mechanics and animations. Pitchers are broken down into three categories: "Plain Filthy" (who move the ball well), "Flamethrower" (who throw the heat) and "Control Freak" (who focus on location), while batters are broken down into five: "Pure Power" (power hitters), "Small Ball" (puts the ball in play), "Mr. Utility" (great situational player), "Rock Steady" (solid all around) and "The Anomaly" (Power hitters with great speed).[2]
Whilst legends have been an existing feature, this years edition introduced a further thirty names to the list, taking the total to 58 legends appearing in MLB The Show 19. Christy Mathewson, Ty Cobb, Jason Kendall, Rob Dibble, Willie Mays, Jimmie Foxx, Iván Rodríguez, Cliff Lee, Andruw Jones, Walter Johnson, Kerry Wood, Cy Young, Mark Prior, Rogers Hornsby, Lou Gehrig, Hal Newhouser, Bret Boone, Don Mattingly, A. J. Burnett and Rickey Henderson all feature as legends for the first time.[3] The legends are playable both online, in modes such as Diamond Dynasty, as well as offline, appearing as free agents in franchise mode.