On Wednesday, Sony San Diego Studio released certain player ratings for MLB The Show 23.
Some of the ratings shouldn’t come as a surprise. For example, the top guys, with a 99-overall rating, were 2022 American League MVP Aaron Judge, and two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani.
Texas Rangers starter Jacob deGrom, who has yet to make a Cactus League start with his new team, earned a 99 rating of his own.
Joining that prestigious group was three-time AL MVP Mike Trout and seven-time All-Star first baseman, Paul Goldschmidt.
New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón was right behind Judge with a 93 overall rating and Gerrit Cole earned an 89 rating.
Round of applause to the @Yankees #23DiamondClub members! 💎💎💎
And let's all thank @Topps for these gorgeous Diamond Club cards.😍 https://t.co/XDKPQ4K8DN
— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) March 8, 2023
Mets pitcher David Peterson stopped by the MLB Network reveal show and talked about the guys he gets to share a roster with. Especially the new guy.
Three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander landed a 98 overall rating and an 87 pitching clutch, much to Peterson’s surprise.
“He’s been great,” Peterson said. “Getting to see why he’s been around so long and why he’s had so much success. It’s been a lot of fun for me, and — I don’t know what stopping him from being a 99, I think 98 is pretty good. So if he can be a 98 over for us, I think we’re in a really good spot.”
Mets starter Max Scherzer received a 96 rating.
So how exactly do they come up with these numbers? Glad you asked.
These guys are used to being defined by a number, but in the MLB The Show world, it’s different — and somewhat ruthless, to be honest.
The game depends on Statcast and the advanced metrics it provides. For a pitcher, it’ll take into account the strikeout rate, walk rate, etc. as well as the pitching arsenal they possess.
It’s a similar process when it comes to the offensive side of the game as well. They’ll concentrate on a three-year average and will concentrate on speed, arm strength, power, and plate discipline.
They depend on the numbers so there is no human element involved. It probably provides them some relief in their Twitter mentions after the ratings are released.
Some @Dbacks reactions to their 2️⃣3️⃣ratings.
🌵⚾️https://t.co/vGJG5kjolU #MLBTheShow pic.twitter.com/oTkopqecjM— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) March 8, 2023
The newest edition of the game is scheduled to be released on March 28.
It’ll be filled with special modes including Derek Jeter gracing the cover of the Digital Deluxe Edition, and it’ll include a partnership with the Negro Leagues to include the stories of those whose rich history shaped the game as it is today.