Baseball season moves fast. Between spring training storylines, midseason trades, pennant races, and postseason drama, it can be difficult to keep up with everything happening across Major League Baseball.
Fortunately, today’s fans have access to a wide range of apps that make following the sport easier, smarter, and more interactive than ever before.
Whether you’re tracking your favorite team, diving deep into advanced stats, managing fantasy rosters, or planning to bet on MLB games at DraftKings, the right apps can transform the way you experience baseball. Here’s a look at the must-have baseball apps every fan should consider downloading.
1. MLB App (Official Major League Baseball App)
If you download just one baseball app, make it the official MLB app. Developed by Major League Baseball, this is the central hub for everything happening across the league.
Key Features:
- Live scores and real-time game updates
- In-game highlights and condensed games
- Pitch-by-pitch tracking with Statcast data
- Breaking news and roster updates
- Gameday audio and live radio broadcasts
- MLB.TV streaming (with subscription)
The MLB app stands out for its clean interface and depth of information. The Gameday feature allows fans to follow every pitch with detailed pitch location data, exit velocity, and launch angle.
Over the years, the app has evolved significantly — moving from simple score updates in the early smartphone era to a fully integrated multimedia experience.
For fans who follow multiple teams or players, push notification customization is particularly valuable. You can set alerts for specific players’ home runs, game starts, or trade announcements.
2. ESPN App
While not exclusively baseball-focused, the ESPN app remains one of the most popular sports apps in the United States.
Key Features:
- Live MLB scores and box scores
- Breaking news and injury updates
- Analysis and expert commentary
- Game previews and recaps
- Integration with fantasy leagues
ESPN’s strength lies in storytelling and context. If you want more than just stats — such as trade rumors, clubhouse interviews, or playoff race breakdowns — this app delivers consistent coverage.
The ESPN app also integrates seamlessly with ESPN Fantasy Baseball leagues, allowing users to manage lineups and track player performance in real time.
3. FanGraphs
For fans who love analytics and advanced statistics, FanGraphs is essential.
Key Features:
- Advanced sabermetric statistics (WAR, wRC+, FIP, etc.)
- Custom leaderboard filters
- Player projection systems (ZiPS, Steamer)
- In-depth statistical breakdowns
Baseball analytics has changed how fans understand the game, and FanGraphs has been at the forefront of that movement.
While traditional stats like batting average and ERA still matter, modern baseball conversations often revolve around advanced metrics.
The FanGraphs app (and mobile-friendly site) allows users to dive deep into player performance trends, splits, and predictive analytics. For serious fans, fantasy players, or bettors looking to make data-informed decisions, it’s an invaluable tool.
4. The Athletic
The Athletic has carved out a niche by offering subscription-based, ad-free sports journalism with in-depth coverage.
Key Features:
- Team-specific beat reporters
- Long-form investigative pieces
- Advanced analysis and scouting reports
- Trade deadline and free agency coverage
What makes The Athletic unique is its focus on depth over volume. Instead of quick headlines, you’ll find detailed breakdowns of pitching mechanics, clubhouse culture, and front-office strategy.
For baseball fans who enjoy understanding the human and strategic elements behind the game, The Athletic adds layers that basic score apps cannot provide.
5. DraftKings Sportsbook App
For fans interested in sports betting, the DraftKings Sportsbook app is a major player in the U.S. market.
Key Features:
- Live MLB betting markets
- Player prop bets
- Futures and playoff odds
- Same-game parlays
- Live in-game wagering
The app provides constantly updated odds and betting lines for every MLB matchup. In recent years, the integration of live data and mobile betting has made wagering more accessible and dynamic than ever.
Even for fans who aren’t actively betting, browsing lines and player props can offer insight into how matchups are viewed analytically. It’s another lens through which to evaluate team performance and trends throughout the season.
6. Yahoo Fantasy Sports
Fantasy baseball remains one of the most popular ways to engage with the sport beyond just watching games.
Key Features:
- Draft tools and projections
- Real-time stat tracking
- Trade and waiver wire management
- Push notifications for player updates
Yahoo’s fantasy platform is particularly user-friendly for beginners while still offering enough depth for seasoned players.
Managing injuries, doubleheaders, and pitching rotations becomes much easier with mobile alerts and lineup editing on the go.
Fantasy sports apps have evolved dramatically from the early days of desktop-only league management. Today, lineup changes can be made seconds before first pitch, all from your phone.
7. SeatGeek or StubHub
For fans who enjoy attending games in person, ticket marketplace apps are a must.
Key Features:
- Real-time ticket availability
- Interactive stadium maps
- Price tracking and deal ratings
- Mobile ticket storage
Apps like SeatGeek and StubHub make it simple to compare prices, find last-minute deals, and access tickets digitally.
With mobile ticketing now standard across MLB ballparks, having one of these apps installed ensures smooth stadium entry.
Over the past decade, paper tickets have nearly disappeared, replaced by QR codes and mobile wallets — a shift that has streamlined the live game experience.
8. Baseball Reference
Baseball Reference is a treasure trove for historical data.
Key Features:
- Career stats for every MLB player
- Historical team records
- Award histories
- Playoff archives
- Comparison tools
For fans who love baseball history, this app (or its mobile site) offers unparalleled depth. You can compare players across eras, track Hall of Fame credentials, and analyze franchise records dating back decades.
It’s especially useful during debates about all-time greats or when contextualizing modern performances against historical benchmarks.
9. Bleacher Report
Bleacher Report provides a social-media-driven sports news experience.
Key Features:
- Custom team feeds
- Instant trade alerts
- Highlight clips
- Community engagement
The app focuses on immediacy and accessibility. If you want quick reactions, viral highlights, and breaking trade news within seconds, Bleacher Report excels in delivering bite-sized updates.
Is Having Multiple Apps important?
No single app covers every aspect of baseball perfectly. Some focus on live scores, others on analytics, and others on betting, fantasy, or journalism. By combining a few of these apps, fans can create a personalized baseball command center in their pocket.
For example:
- Use MLB for live pitch tracking.
- Use FanGraphs for advanced stats.
- Use Yahoo for fantasy management.
- Use DraftKings for betting insights.
- Use The Athletic for in-depth storytelling.
Together, they create a complete baseball ecosystem.
The Modern Baseball Experience
Baseball fandom has transformed in the digital age. In the past, fans relied on box scores in newspapers or late-night highlight shows.
Today, you can watch a game, analyze spin rates, adjust your fantasy lineup, and follow trade rumors — all before the seventh-inning stretch.
The must-have baseball apps aren’t just conveniences; they redefine how the sport is consumed. Whether you’re a casual fan checking scores during lunch or a dedicated analyst breaking down pitching splits, the right apps keep you connected every inning of the season.
As technology continues to evolve, baseball apps will likely incorporate even more real-time data, augmented reality features, and predictive tools. For now, these essentials ensure you never miss a pitch.