How to Get Anthony Santander in MLB The Show 25

MLB The Show 25 continues to expand its ever-growing roster of playable athletes, and one card that has quietly generated a lot of buzz within the community is Anthony Santander. While he may not immediately jump off the page with elite contact or clutch ratings, experienced players know that raw attributes never tell the full story in MLB The Show. In fact, Santander’s signature swing—often referred to by players as the “Santi swing”—makes him far more dangerous than his numbers suggest.

In this guide, we’ll break down what Anthony Santander is in MLB25, how to unlock him, and why his swing mechanics make him a legitimate threat, even if his stats appear underwhelming at first glance.

Who Is Anthony Santander in MLB The Show 25?

Anthony Santander is an outfielder primarily associated with the Baltimore Orioles, known in real life for his switch-hitting power and ability to punish mistakes in the strike zone. In MLB The Show 25, his digital counterpart reflects many of those real-world traits, though with some compromises made for balance.

Santander’s MLB25 card is not designed to be a pure contact monster or a late-inning clutch specialist. Instead, he fits into a category of players that thrive based on feel, timing, and MLB The Show 25 Stubs, rather than raw ratings.

Core Attributes Overview

At first glance, Santander’s card may raise eyebrows:

Contact: Slightly below average

Clutch: Noticeably low compared to meta cards

Power: Respectable, especially from both sides of the plate

Vision & Discipline: Serviceable but not standout

Fielding: Solid corner outfield defense

Arm Strength: Above average

On paper, this might seem like a bench bat or situational platoon option. However, Santander plays far above his rating thanks to his swing.

The Importance of Swing Animations in MLB25

One of the most misunderstood mechanics in MLB The Show 25 is swing animation impact. While attributes dictate probabilities, swing animations affect launch angles, contact windows, and barrel frequency—all of which are critical for consistent offensive production.

Santander’s swing is widely regarded as one of the smoother and more forgiving animations in the game.

Why the “Santi Swing” Matters

Players often refer to Santander’s swing as “glitchy,” not because it’s broken, but because it:

Produces clean exit velocities even on early or slightly late timing

Elevates the ball naturally, reducing weak groundouts

Feels consistent against both right-handed and left-handed pitching

Rewards aggressive PCI placement

This means that even with lower contact or clutch ratings, Santander frequently hits hard line drives and no-doubt home runs in situations where other players would roll over or pop out.

How to Get Anthony Santander in MLB The Show 25

Anthony Santander is not typically a pack-only elite pull, which makes him far more accessible to the average player. Depending on the current content cycle, there are several common ways to acquire him.

1. Team Affinity Programs

One of the most common methods to unlock Santander is through Team Affinity progression, specifically tied to the Baltimore Orioles division or AL East programs.

To unlock him this way, players usually need to:

Earn Team Affinity XP by playing:

Conquest

Mini Seasons

Ranked Seasons

Events or BR

Complete Orioles-specific missions such as:

Hits with Orioles players

Home runs with AL East hitters

Total bases challenges

Team Affinity cards are often no-sell, but they provide excellent value for lineup depth.

2. Featured Programs or Limited-Time Events

Santander has also appeared in Featured Programs or limited-time events. These versions may have slightly boosted stats or unique card art.

To earn him through a program, players typically need to:

Complete Moments featuring Santander or Orioles players

Finish stat missions tied to switch hitters or power bats

Accumulate program stars via gameplay

This method is especially appealing for offline or casual players.

3. Marketplace (If Sellable)

Some versions of Santander may be available on the Marketplace, depending on card rarity and release structure.

Marketplace acquisition is ideal if:

You want him immediately

You missed the original program

You’re testing him for ranked play

Prices tend to be reasonable compared to high-tier meta outfielders.

Using Anthony Santander Effectively

Santander is not a plug-and-play superstar. To maximize his value, you need to use him correctly.

Best Lineup Placement

Due to his lower clutch rating, Santander is best used in:

The 2nd or 6th spot in the batting order

Situations where RBI pressure is moderate

Lineups that already have high-contact hitters surrounding him

Avoid placing him in the cleanup role unless you’re confident with his timing.

Batting Strategy Tips

To get the most out of Santander’s swing:

Sit fastball first – His swing destroys mistakes

Be aggressive early in counts

Avoid over-protecting with two strikes

Let his natural loft work for you

Players often find that Santander performs best when they trust the swing instead of forcing perfect PCI placement.

Defense and Secondary Value

While Santander is primarily valued for his bat, his defensive capabilities should not be overlooked.

Fielding Strengths

Reliable in left and right field

Strong enough arm to deter extra bases

Smooth animations on routine plays

He may not win Gold Gloves, but he won’t cost you games either.

How Santander Compares to Other Outfielders

In a meta dominated by maxed-out legends and flashback superstars, Santander offers a refreshing alternative.

Strengths Compared to Meta Cards

Easier timing window

Switch-hitting versatility

More forgiving on imperfect swings

Affordable and accessible

Weaknesses

Lower clutch hurts in late-game situations

Not elite against top-tier pitching

Slightly capped ceiling compared to 99-overall cards

That said, many players report better real-game results with Santander than with technically superior cards.

Is Anthony Santander Worth Using in MLB The Show 25?

The answer depends on your playstyle.

Santander Is Perfect For:

Players who value swing feel over ratings

Early- to mid-game progression lineups

Switch-hitter heavy rosters

Players struggling with timing consistency

Santander May Not Be Ideal For:

Min-maxers chasing perfect attributes

Late-inning clutch specialists

Competitive players who rely heavily on quirks

Still, the consensus among many experienced players is clear: Santander plays above his stats.

Final Thoughts

Anthony Santander may not be the flashiest name in MLB The Show 25, but he represents one of the game’s most important lessons—ratings don’t always tell the full story. Despite lower contact and clutch attributes, his elite swing animation makes him a consistent offensive weapon capable of changing games with a single swing buy MLB The Show 25 Stubs.

Whether you’re grinding Team Affinity, experimenting with new lineups, or simply looking for a reliable switch-hitting bat, Santander is absolutely worth trying. Once you feel the Santi swing, it becomes clear why so many players swear by him.

Sometimes, the best cards aren’t the ones with perfect numbers—they’re the ones that just feel right.