Theme Team Pitfalls — Who Got the Short End?
Not every team saw major improvements. Some squads struggle to MLB The Show 25 Stubs justify theme team builds:

Chicago Cubs: Nico Hoerner’s boosts focus on fielding, BB/9, and vision—stats less impactful than power/contact. Key players like Dansby Swanson and Pete Crow Armstrong don’t benefit enough to justify a build.

Washington Nationals: Two hitter captains offer only average boosts, and the roster lacks depth under the 95 overall limit.

Tampa Bay Rays: Despite big +20 boosts, they apply only vs. right-handed pitchers, limiting overall effectiveness due to poor roster flexibility.

Fan voting skewed some teams’ strengths, reflecting real-life skills (e.g., defense for Nico Hoerner) but not always matching competitive video game demands.

Final Thoughts — The Future of Captains Looks Bright
SDS has breathed new life into the Captains and Theme Team system in MLB The Show 25. Whether you’re a franchise loyalist or a ranked mode grinder chasing stubs, this update offers meaningful value.

Building around team loyalty no longer means sacrificing competitiveness. Double captains and smarter, dynamic boosts have significantly narrowed the gap between theme teams and maxed-out God Squads.

There’s room for improvement—such as a separate mode where theme teams don’t face maxed-out legends every game—but for now, captains are back and buy MLB The Show 25 Stubs better than ever.