Though MLB The Show 23 is filled with hundreds of baseball professionals for fans to choose from, the ten best players in the game make a noticeable difference. The freedom to build a team of one's favorite players is a huge part of the fun, but stats will still play a massive role in the overall gameplay. This is why it is essential to gather players with the best overall stats and look out for any limited-time cards. These All-Star lineups can then be created to show the other fun sides of a game like MLB The Show 23.
These player ratings are determined by both the stats on the field and how the player performs in certain spots. The best starting pitchers will have numerous pitches, along with high stamina and accuracy in real life, and that carries over to the game. In comparison, a hitter who can knock in runs when the game hangs in the balance will have a higher clutch stat. It will always be hard to make the stats perfect, but it's a solid plan leaning on the hard facts of the game with little bites of what the average person may see when watching baseball.
10 Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper is a Designated Hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies and comes in at a 95 overall. This may be a bit of a low ranking for Harper, but a shortened 2022 season with only 18 home runs is likely what contributes to this. However, Harper still hits for tremendous power and , and his addition to any lineup will bring in more runs. Harper used to be an Outfielder but has moved more towards primarily being a Designated Hitter. Harper's time as an Outfielder will help him speed around the base and could open opportunities to play him elsewhere if needed.
9 Nolan Arenado
Nolan Arenado is the Third Baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals and has a 95 overall rating. Arenado is one of the best Third Basemen in the leagues, and that carries over to the game easily. His high and power ratings will lead to many hits and home runs, making him a great cleanup hitter.
Arenado also plays a crucial corner position when it comes to defense, in which he also excels. His high fielding and reach stat will allow him to grab up any balls hit his way, with complimentary throwing stats that will help make the long throw to first base. However, if needed, Arenado can also be flexed to First Base and doesn't lose much, if any, value.
8 Mookie Betts
Mookie Betts is an all-around Outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers with an overall rating of 96. Betts primarily plays in right field, but does have the flexibility to move around if needed. His top-tier defense is evident by 88 fielding along with 77 throwing power with 88 accuracy, making him a challenge for opponents trying to get extra-base hits or line drives into the outfield.
Betts is also a force to be reckoned with on the offensive side of the ball. He is equipped with great stats to go along with more than respectable power numbers. This makes for a great early lineup batter that can get on base, steal some bases, and be in the perfect position to be hit in by the meatier part of lineups.
7 Max Scherzer
Max Scherzer is a Starting Pitcher for the New York Mets and comes in at 96 overall. Though Scherzer is getting older, he still commands five different pitches and has an overall stamina of 92. His fastball may only reach 94 mph, but it incorporates perfectly into his off-speed pitches meant to confuse batters. Scherzer's accuracy rating of 80 also limits the walks he will give up, leaving fans with a pitcher that will minimize damage and leave batters swinging.
6 Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander is another Starting Pitcher for the New York Mets, with a rating of 98 overall. Verlander is another pitcher that, despite being 40, has continued to dominate in the league and the game. He has four pitches, including a 95 mph fastball and three off-speed pitches. Verlander's 82 stamina will keep him pitching deep into games, and while his 78 pitch accuracy may worry, he will find the strike zone more often than not.
5 Jacob deGrom
The first 99 overall Starting Pitcher is Jacob deGrom from the Texas Rangers. With five pitches in his arsenal, two of them being fastballs that can reach 99 mph, deGrom is as dangerous a pitcher as they come. He can throw right past a batter or confuse them with his off-speed pitches that fall into the mid to high 80s. Along with an incredible 88 stamina and 87 pitch accuracy, deGrom is the ace pitcher most rotations need to battle formidable lineups.
4 Shohei Ohtani
The second 99 overall Starting Pitcher is Shohei Ohtani from the Los Angeles Angels. The Japanese superstar has quickly become one of the best players to have, as not only is he a great pitcher, he is an incredible hitter. His fastball clocks in around 97 mph, along with four other off-speed pitches ranging from 80 to 90 mph. Ohtani's batting is also a boon to any lineup, with a high and power rate that makes him a dangerous Designated Hitter if fans need it.
3 Aaron Judge
The third 99 overall player and first Outfielder is Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. Offensively, Judge is one of the best hitters in the game, boasting a 90- rating with 99 power to go along. This makes Judge a great middle-of-the-lineup option for players who want to use his power to knock in as many runs as possible.
Judge is just as valuable to fans when it comes to defense. His 88-throw power and 99-throw accuracy will make it impossible for anyone to run on him. Though Judge plays mainly in right field, the flexibility he brings to a lineup of being able to play across the outfield is still valuable.
2 Paul Goldschmidt
The only First Baseman at 99 overall is Paul Goldschmidt of the St. Louis Cardinals. Goldschmidt's 99 power and ratings make him one of the scariest hitters in the game. Along with his ability to pull the ball across the field, Goldschmidt can hit the ball wherever fans desire, making it tricky, if not impossible, to defend.
Defensively, Goldschmidt has everything a First Baseman needs to succeed. His high fielding and reach stats allow him to collect any hits that may come his way. Though it is not always required, his strong arm allows him to make any throw around the diamond. Goldschmidt gives fans the best of both worlds and locks down the all-important First Baseman position.
1 Mike Trout
Arguably the best player in both the real world and virtual, the second 99 overall Outfielder is Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels. Trout is a fearsome hitter among MLB The Show 23's best as they come, having a 91 rating from the right and 92 from the left. Both sides also come with high 90s power, making it even more likely the ball will be hit hard. Trout's 90 speed also makes him a threat to steal once on base, a genuine threat at every point of the offense.
On defense, Trout takes a more balanced approach rather than focusing on any one thing. His 74 fielding will be more than enough to sure up any Outfield, while his 81 arm power and 72 throw accuracy allows him to make the majority of throws. Though his defense may not be as flashy as other Outfield options, his offensive skills more than makeup for it.
The beauty of a game like MLB The Show 23 is that the majority of players can be used and still have a high success rate. Some players can even rank up over time to get stats that are just slightly under what the best options would have. However, for those who want to create the best lineup and pitching rotation possible, these are MLB The Show 23's top ten players.
