WithMLB The Show 23finally on the shelves, the first thing players do is check out the player ratings. Whether it’s to take a look at the top-rated teams and players or simply looking at your favorites, the game has the most up-to-date rosters and ratings.
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When examining player ratings, some players stand out but not in a good way. It might seem easy to rate these players but sometimes we come across a few headscratchers and wonder why they were rated like that. We analyze a handful of players whose ratings don’t make a whole lot of sense.
6Miguel Cabrera - 68
When it’s all said and done, Miguel Cabrera will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as one of the greatest hitters of all time. Cabrera punched his ticket to Cooperstown after winning the Triple Crown in 2012, the first player to achieve the feat since 1967.
While Cabrera has certainly racked up personal accolades, the two-time MVP winner is but a shell of himself. And the 39-year-old knows it too, as Cabrera announced the 2023 season will be his final one. Cabrera deserved a bit more respect regarding his rating, not just as a final farewell but as a recognition of his twelfth All-Star nomination last season.
5Aroldis Chapman - 73
Once upon a time, Aroldis Chapman was a boogeyman for hitters. His fastballs had practically flames on them as he overpowered players with incredible speed. But Chapman and the New York Yankeesfell out of good gracesand the reliever found a new home with the Kansas City Royals.
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At 35 years old, Chapman might not have much time left in the majors but his individual pitching attributes shouldn’t equal a 73 rating. He has perfect marks in velocity (99) and arm strength (99), and extremely high marks in hits allowed per nine innings (90), strikeouts per nine innings (98), and control over his breaking pitches (95). A pitcher with five categories of 90 or above shouldn’t be rated in the low 70s.
4Ketel Marte - 73
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been in a state of mediocrity for the last few seasons. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2017 but a slew of young players will keep this team fun. But the one who’ll push the Diamondbacks toward contention is Ketel Marte.
The second baseman had a bounceback season in 2022 that resembled his All-Star performance in 2019. He’s an excellent contact hitter against lefties (92) and has decent vision (79), durability (84), and clutch performance (75). And as a switch hitter, Marte can utilize the whole field at the plate. Arizona’s veteran will outperform his low starting player rating.
3Randy Arozarena - 81
Randy Arozarena doesn’t receive nearly as much praise as he should. In 2020, the left fielder was a major factor that propelled the Tampa Bay Rays to the World Series. Recently, Arozarena made ahuge impact for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.
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For a former ALCS MVP and Rookie of the Year winner, Arozarena is extremely underrated. He’s barely played two full seasons but he has high marks in hitting against left-handers (96 contact, 81 power) and durability (94). Arozarena should see his ratings increase if his performance from the World Baseball Classic continues into the regular season.
2Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - 88
Despite being selected to the All-Star game in 2021 and 2022, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. still does not get the respect he deserves. As the Toronto Blue Jays leader, Guerrero Jr. mashed at least 30 home runs in the last two seasons and over 200 total RBI but barely has an 80 for his contact hitting against righties.
He’s a phenomenal hitter and not just smacking the ball far. He hits for average as well but these offensive marks wouldn’t tell you that story. At 24 years old, Guerrero Jr. will eventually be the best player at his position and we’ll laugh at these low ratings.
1Will Smith - 88
While the other players featured were unfairly rated too low, Will Smith is unfairly rated too high. Yes, Smith was part of the Los Angeles Dodgers when the team won the World Series but he’s not a franchise guy and his individual attributes agree.
Of every offensive and defensive category, Smith has two rated about an 80: power hitting against right-handers and durability. Every other category is less than 79, so how does that equal Smith being rated an 88 overall? Whether he receives higher individual attributes or a lower overall, Smith’s ratings don’t make any sense and reek of Hollywood favoritism.
