One of the most important positions in MLB The Show 23, the best Starting Pitcher has to be an athlete with some of the top stats for players to set a positive tone for a game early. To make sure talented opponents on the other team don't nail home runs through tricky throws, Pitchers have to be versatile. Starting Pitchers, on the other hand, have to also be able to last multiple innings as such intense throws can take a toll on any athlete's stamina.

Every athlete in the game has different stats that are divided into four different categories, with Pitching Ratings being the obvious section players should try to investigate. Unlike the Hitting Ratings that would help identify the best hitters in MLB The Show 23, Pitching Ratings have several categories including Stamina, Pitching Control, and Velocity to name a few. These scores help determine the strengths and weaknesses of a potential Starting Pitcher.

The Top 5 Starting Pitchers

MLB The Show 23 Shohei Ohtani for the Los Angeles Angels as one of the Best Starting Pitchers in the Game

Players need to consider not just individual stats when looking for a Starting Pitcher, but also the speeds of their various pitches. Ranging from the classic Curveball to more tricky Sliders, these Pitch Speeds are extremely important as they highlight what type of throws an athlete can be best at. While every athlete has their own unique throws, the speed at which these go toward home plate are worth focusing on.

Player

Team

Overall Rating

Stamina

Pitching Control

Pitch Speeds

Shohei Ohtani

Los Angeles Angels

99

86

80

  • Slider - 85 MPH
  • 4-Seam Fastball - 97 MPH
  • Splitter - 89 MPH
  • Cutter - 90 MPH
  • Curveball - 78 MPH

Jacob deGrom

Texas Rangers

99

88

87

  • 4-Seam Fastball - 99 MPH
  • Slider - 92 MPH
  • Circle Change - 88 MPH
  • Curveball - 83 MPH
  • 2-Seam Fastball - 97 MPH

Justin Verlander

New York Mets

98

82

76

  • 4-Seam Fastball - 95 MPH
  • Slider - 87 MPH
  • 12-6 Curve - 79 MPH
  • Circle Change - 86 MPH

Max Scherzer

New York Mets

96

92

80

  • 4-Seam Fastball: 94 MPH
  • Slider: 85 MPH
  • Circle Change: 84 MPH
  • Slurve: 75 MPH
  • Cutter: 89 MPH

Corbin Burnes

Milwaukee Brewers

96

90

76

  • Cutter: 95 MPH
  • Curveball: 82 MPH
  • Circle Change: 88 MPH
  • Slider: 88 MPH
  • Sinker: 95 MPH

Alternate Great Starting Pitchers

MLB The Show 23 Pitching Interface with Box for Balls and Strikes Displayed Over Home Plate

Should these top 5 Starting Pitchers not quite fit a player's team, Spencer Strider and Shane McClanahan are excellent choices as well. The former from the Atlanta Braves has a great 94 Overall Rating with a positively deadly 4-Seam Fastball of 98 MPH.

Meanwhile, Shane McClanahan from the Tampa Bay Rays hosts an impressive 93 Overall Rating with a distinct 92 Break score that helps balance a team that lacks a great first baseman in MLB The Show 23 as one of the best Starting Pitchers in the game.