Finally, baseball fans can rejoice. MLB The Show 23 is on the market, giving players the most authentic baseball experience ever. Whether your goal is to win a World Series or create your own success in the majors, MLB The Show 23 has everything you need.
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Whenever new sports games launch, the first thing players do is check player ratings. Besides finding where your favorite player is ranked, we naturally want to know who the best of the best are. We take a look at the overall top players featured in MLB The Show 23.
10 Yordan Alvarez - 94
For years, Jose Altuve was the face of the Houston Astros and the highest-rated player on the team. Well, times have changed, and that title belongs to Yordan Alvarez. The left fielder has elevated his offensive and defensive game to where he’s regarded as one of the top players in his position.
Alvarez was selected to his first All-Star game in 2022 behind a career-high in home runs (37). He’s a devastating offensive player against both right-handers (83 contact, 99 power) and left-handers (90 contact, 87 power). Along with his big bat, the 25-year-old also has an extremely accurate arm (91) in left field.
9 Nolan Arenado - 94
Since his rookie season in 2013, Nolan Arenado has undoubtedly been one of the best third basemen in the majors. Although the Colorado Rockies didn’t experience much team success with him, Arenado racked up plenty of personal accolades like Gold Glove awards and All-Star appearances.
Now with the St. Louis Cardinals, Arenado hopes to add a World Series ring to his already illustrious career. Arenado demolishes left-handers (99 power) and remains poised when facing a two-strike count. He’s also one of the best fielders (99) at the hot corner, if not the entire league.
8 Jose Ramirez - 94
Following the World Series loss to the Chicago Cubs in 2016, Jose Ramirez took his game to the next level. In 2017 and 2018, Ramirez notched his first two All-Star nominations and then collected two more in 2021 and 2022. He’s led the American League in doubles in 2017 and 2022 and runs score in 2020.
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With how the Cleveland Guardians are constructed, the team will go as far as Ramirez can take them. As the highest-rated player on the team, Ramirez is at his best in clutch situations (96) and knows how to keep himself healthy (96). He’s a serviceable fielder, but his main value comes from his ability to impact the game at the plate.
7 Manny Machado - 95
Manny Machado’s career has been somewhat of a roller coaster. After being the face of the Baltimore Orioles, Machado finally got a chance to compete for a World Series championship with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, Machado only lasted half a season in the City of Angels before signing a massive contract with the San Diego Padres in 2019.
Machado was selected to back-to-back All-Star games in 2021 and 2022. He’s a phenomenal hitter who destroys breaking balls and has high marks in contact hitting against righties (92) and power-hitting against lefties (92). Machado is sensational in clutch situations (99) and is an above-average fielder (82) at third base.
6 Bryce Harper - 95
Very few players had the type of hype that surrounded Bryce Harper when he made his major league debut in 2012. And he did not disappoint, securing six All-Star nominations in his first seven years in the majors. Harper recently won his second MVP award in 2021 and helped the Philadelphia Phillies reach the World Series in 2022.
Harper is one of the best hitters against right-handers (94 contact, 98 power) in the league. He’s extremely disciplined (99) at the plate, allowing him to zero in on his pitch in clutch situations (95). He’s an average fielder (62) in right field but has a strong (80), accurate (85) arm to throw out runners at the plate.
5 Paul Goldschmidt - 96
After establishing himself as a top first baseman in the league with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Paul Goldschmidt hasn’t had much individual success with the St. Louis Cardinals. From 2013 to 2018, Goldschmidt was selected to seven-straight All-Star games but wasn’t nominated once with the Cardinals until 2022, when he also won the MVP award.
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In 2022, Goldschmidt achieved numbers he hadn’t hit since his days in the desert. His sensational season bumped his hitting attributes against lefties (99 contact, 99 power), as Goldschmidt is typically a pull hitter. The 35-year-old excels at hitting fastballs and breaking balls, so opposing pitchers will have a tough time getting him out.
4 Mookie Betts - 97
After winning an MVP award and a World Series title with the Boston Red Sox in 2018, Mookie Betts was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers a season later. Betts helped the Dodgers win the World Series in his first season with the team in 2020 and then tacked on two more All-Star nominations heading into the 2023 season.
Three times in his career, Betts has led the league in runs scored, meaning not only does Betts have a way on base, but he remains aggressive on the base paths (75) to score. As an extreme pull hitter, Betts favors left-handed pitching (81 contact, 89 power) and is accustomed to taking a chance on the first pitch.
3 Aaron Judge - 99
The reigning American League MVP winner is one of the three perfect-rated players in the game. Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees produced a phenomenal offensive season in 2022, leading the league in the following categories: runs scored (133), home runs (62), RBI (131), walks (111), on-base percentage (.425), and slugging percentage (.686).
Judge has cemented himself as one of the greatest hitters in baseball. He’s a prolific power hitter (99 right, 99 left) and is superb in the clutch (99). To make matters worse for opposing teams, Judge is a solid fielder (76) with an extremely accurate arm (96) in right field. Judge has the offensive and defensive capabilities to finish his career as a Yankees legend if he isn’t one already.
2 Mike Trout - 99
Over his 12-year career, Mike Trout has remained a consistent powerhouse for the Los Angeles Angels. He’s done it all: won Rookie of the Year, received ten All-Star nominations, and was named MVP three times. Trout has been regarded as not just one of the greatest currently, but of all time. The only thing missing from his sensational career is a World Series ring.
Trout’s an amazing hitter against right-handers (91 contact, 99 power) and left-handers (92 contact, 95 power). He’s the perfect hitter, capable of connecting on fastballs, breaking balls, or balls thrown out of the strike zone. Although Trout isn’t much of a threat to steal bases, his high speed (90) helps up turning would-be singles into extra-base hits.
1 Shohei Ohtani - 99
The previous cover athlete for MLB The Show 22 is the best player in MLB The Show 23. Baseball analysts were skeptical of Shohei Ohtani’s two-way ability and wondered if he would succeed as a pitcher and hitter. Not only has Ohtani succeeded, but he’s well on his way to becoming a baseball legend.
Coming off his first MVP award, Ohtani is nearly unhittable on the mound with his overpowering fastball (90) and breaking balls (99). At the plate, Ohtani devours right-handers (94 power) and also has good speed (86) on the base path. Ohtani recently helped Japan win the World Baseball Classic and hopes to deliver a World Series title with the Los Angeles Angels.
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