MLB The Show 21: Franchise Mode Survival Guide


MLB The Show 21 has been rolling since the title was released, and that includes the upgraded Franchise Mode.

With so many different factors to keep in mind, this Franchise Mode Survival Guide has everything you need to chart a course to a World Series win in MLB The Show 21.

Latest - What is the best team to use in Franchise Mode?

If you're struggling to decide which team to run with in Franchise Mode, or which one to use as a foundation for your custom team, there are a few standouts to pick from.

As the defending World Series Champions, it's no shock that the Los Angeles Dodgers are ranked as the best team in Franchise Mode when using default rosters.

MLB The Show 21 Franchise Mode Guide
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START ON TOP: Using the Dodgers will put you in control right away

However, several others have major strengths in various areas, and you can check out our list to see which teams will give you an edge in hitting, pitching, budget, and more.

MLB The Show 21 Franchise Mode

Franchise Mode in MLB The Show 21 takes place over multiple seasons, and ultimately you're trying to carry your team to as much success as you can.

Whether you're starting with something completely fresh and use custom roster or you pick your favorite team to try and carry their current club to the World Series, there's a lot to decide on as you begin Franchise.

How to create a Custom Team in Franchise Mode

While you can always just pick a current MLB team and head into Franchise Mode with them as they currently are, you also have the option to create the team of your dreams instead.

MLB The Show 21 Franchise Mode Guide
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DREAM TEAM: Make the team you want to take to the World Series

If you want to use a Custom Team in Franchise Mode, you'll first need to choose an existing team in MLB The Show 21 to use as a base, so keep this in mind if you're creating custom rosters for a specific team prior to launching Franchise Mode.

Once you've made your choice, you can pick your Team Details, use the Logo Vault or create a new logo, edit all the team's uniform details, and even pick your stadium.

MLB The Show 21 Franchise Mode Guide
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ULTIMATE CUSTOMIZATION: Change every detail of your team

If you're on a next gen console, stadium selection even includes Stadium Creator, and you can bring your custom ballparks into Franchise Mode.

Keep in mind these details will be set once you've begun in Franchise Mode and won't be able to be changed later.

How to use the Logo Vault in MLB The Show 21

If you don't have the patience or desire to create your own logo but still want something unique, head to the Logo Vault and search for something that catches your eye.

MLB The Show 21 Franchise Mode Guide
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ALL ABOUT THE BRAND: Choose from the Logo Vault or make your own logo

There are thousands of logos in the Logo Vault, and once you find one you like you'll need to select and save it to your system.

Once saved, you will need to import that logo any time you're editing your team logo or editing uniforms by choosing to edit logo and then manually importing the saved logo.

MLB The Show 21 Franchise Mode Guide
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FRESH THREADS: Add your logo to both home and away uniforms

When you do this for uniforms, it can help to move the logo around the blank space and adjust its size to place your custom logo exactly where you want on the custom uniforms.

Is it better to Manual or Auto Manage Tasks?

Many of the decisions you make as you're creating your Franchise in MLB The Show 21 will come down to personal preference and how you intend to play.

If you want to manage every detail in Franchise Mode from the roster to scouting and more, set each of the Tasks to Manual.

AUTO MANAGE: You can let Franchise handle the details for you
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AUTO MANAGE: You can let Franchise handle the details for you

However, you can set things to Auto Manage and let the game make those decisions for you if you'd prefer to focus on the gameplay only.

How you decide to handle Tasks can be changed at any time in Franchise Mode options.

Which options are best in Franchise Mode?

There are several options in Franchise Mode to choose from, and some of these will be set in stone at the beginning of your Franchise.

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PLAY YOUR WAY: Options can completely change the experience

However, there is no definitive best set of options, as each of these works well depending on how you want Franchise Mode to work for you.

Be sure to consider each of them though, because they can't be changed once your Franchise is underway.

How to control Minor League clubs in Franchise Mode

Franchise Mode in MLB The Show 21 will also let you manage your Double-A and Triple-A Minor League Baseball teams in addition to your primary Major League team.

MiLB THE SHOW: Swap to control your Minor League teams
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MiLB THE SHOW: Swap to control your Minor League teams

When you're on this primary Franchise Mode screen, take a look at the bottom right where it says "(R) MLB" in green.

Flick the right stick to the left or right, and you'll switch to your Minor League teams, which you can then play as or edit just like your Major League team.

MLB The Show 21 Franchise Mode Guide
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FUTURE OF FRANCHISE: Manage your prospects before they get called up

When you're done with your Minor League clubs, use the same method to switch back to your Major League team, and keep in mind you can allow Franchise Mode to simulate your Minor League teams if you prefer.

How to Simulate or Quick Manage During Games

While you always have the option to play every single game in Franchise Mode, some players will prefer to simulate much of them and only play key games or moments.

If you want to manage a game from play to play as it's happening, choose to Play Full Game and then enter Quick Manage from the pause menu once the game has begun.

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TAKE CONTROL: Speed things up while staying focused

From there, you can simulate single plays or entire innings or half innings, and at any point you can stop the simulation and jump back into the game to do things yourself.

You can also head to the calendar and simulate far ahead through the season, and the game will prompt you to jump into critical moments by default.

JUMP FORWARD: You can simulate an entire season if you want
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JUMP FORWARD: You can simulate an entire season if you want

You can always decline to enter those moments, turn off critical moments, and continue the simulation while telling Franchise Mode to handle things automatically.

For more articles like this, take a look at our MLB The Show page.