Breaking Down 'MLB The Show 21' Player Ratings for Every Team
0 of 30
Gregory Bull/Associated Press
The latest edition of MLB The Show dropped Tuesday for PlayStation and Xbox, and that means it's time for a deep dive into each team's roster.
Who's rated too high? Who's rated too low? Who's missing entirely?
Those were among the questions we set out to answer while perusing the roster for all 30 teams in the latest video game offering from San Diego Studios.
Here's a quick rundown of what you'll find on each team page:
- Top 10 Players: The 10 highest-rated players on the team's MLB roster.
- Franchise Mode Target: An up-and-coming player with good in-game potential who is worth targeting late in fantasy drafts in franchise mode. The focus here was on players with an overall rating of 75 or lower.
- Overrated: The player I felt had an overall rating that was too high relative to his real-life abilities.
- Underrated: The player I felt had an overall rating that was too low relative to his real-life abilities.
- Head-Scratcher: The one thing that made me say "hmm..." while looking through the team's roster. Could be a player out of position, a missing player, a wonky depth chart, etc.
Enjoy!
My gamer tag is JReuter10988 on PlayStation network. Just sayin'...
Arizona Diamondbacks
1 of 30
Zac GallenRoss D. Franklin/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. SP Zac Gallen (86 overall)
2. CF Ketel Marte (83 overall)
3. SS Nick Ahmed (81 overall)
4. CP Joakim Soria (81 overall)
5. SP Madison Bumgarner (80 overall)
6. LF David Peralta (80 overall)
7. 3B Eduardo Escobar (79 overall)
8. 2B Tim Locastro (78 overall)
9. 2B Asdrubal Cabrera (76 overall)
10. C Carson Kelly (76 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: SP Blake Walston (68 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: Madison Bumgarner (80 overall)
Underrated: Caleb Smith (74 overall)
Head-Scratcher: Why is Locastro a second baseman? He played 272 games there in the minors, but he has never appeared at the keystone in the majors. At the same time, Josh Rojas is listed as a left fielder and he has played primarily middle infield.
Atlanta Braves
2 of 30
Freddie FreemanJohn Bazemore/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. 1B Freddie Freeman (95 overall)
2. CF Ronald Acuna Jr. (94 overall)
3. 2B Ozzie Albies (93 overall)
4. LF Marcell Ozuna (90 overall)
5. SP Mike Soroka (87 overall)
6. SP Charlie Morton (86 overall)
7. SP Max Fried (84 overall)
8. RP Chris Martin (82 overall)
9. CP Will Smith (82 overall)
10. C Travis d'Arnaud (81 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: SP Touki Toussaint (69 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: 2B Johan Camargo (74 overall)
Underrated: SS Dansby Swanson (79 overall)
Head-Scratcher: How does Cristian Pache have a defensive rating of only 75? By comparison, Ozuna (67) is not far behind, and Acuna (77) is slightly better despite the fact that he was moved to right field in deference to Pache's stellar center field glovework.
Baltimore Orioles
3 of 30
Anthony SantanderKathy Willens/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. RF Anthony Santander (77 overall)
2. CF Austin Hays (76 overall)
3. 1B Trey Mancini (76 overall)
4. SP John Means (75 overall)
5. 1B Ryan Mountcastle (74 overall)
6. 3B Maikel Franco (73 overall)
7. C Pedro Severino (73 overall)
8. 2B Ramon Urias (73 overall)
9. SS Freddy Galvis (72 overall)
10. RP Cesar Valdez (72 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: C Adley Rutschman (70 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: Ramon Urias (73 overall)
Underrated: RP Tanner Scott (68 overall)
Head-Scratcher: The developers seem awfully high on shortstop prospect Terrin Vavra (67 overall, "A" potential), who was acquired from the Colorado Rockies in last year's Mychal Givens deal. Meanwhile, MLB.com (No. 12) and Baseball America (No. 22) do not even rank him among the team's top 10 prospects.
Boston Red Sox
4 of 30
Chris SaleJohn Bazemore/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. SP Chris Sale (93 overall)
2. LF J.D. Martinez (87 overall)
3. C Christian Vazquez (85 overall)
4. SS Xander Bogaerts (82 overall)
5. 2B Enrique Hernandez (82 overall)
6. 3B Rafael Devers (81 overall)
7. CF Alex Verdugo (81 overall)
8. RF Hunter Renfroe (80 overall)
9. SP Eduardo Rodriguez (79 overall)
10. CP Matt Barnes (77 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: CF Gilberto Jimenez (64 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: 2B Enrique Hernandez (82 overall)
Underrated: 3B Rafael Devers (81 overall)
Head-Scratcher: Why was Tanner Houck given "D" potential? He's only 24 years old, and he posted a 0.53 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in 17 innings over three starts down the stretch last year. He has always been viewed as a high-ceiling prospect, dating back tothe 2017 draft when hewent No. 24 overall.
Chicago Cubs
5 of 30
Kyle HendricksNam Y. Huh/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. SP Kyle Hendricks (88 overall)
2. SS Javier Baez (87 overall)
3. C Willson Contreras (86 overall)
4. 3B Kris Bryant (84 overall)
5. SP Dan Winkler (84 overall)
6. 1B Anthony Rizzo (83 overall)
7. SP Zach Davies (81 overall)
8. 2B Nico Hoerner (79 overall)
9. CP Craig Kimbrel (78 overall)
10. RP Andrew Chafin (77 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: CF Cole Roederer (69 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: SP Dan Winkler (84 overall)
Underrated: CF Ian Happ (76 overall)
Head-Scratcher: The last time Dan Winkler started a game was June 7, 2014, and he was pitching for Double-A Tulsa in the Colorado Rockies farm system. Despite that, he's still rated higher than Corbin Burnes (80), German Marquez (80), Marcus Stroman (79) and Tyler Glasnow (78), among many, many others. Yikes!
Chicago White Sox
6 of 30
Liam HendriksNam Y. Huh/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. CP Liam Hendriks (93 overall)
2. C Yasmani Grandal (91 overall)
3. 1B Jose Abreu (88 overall)
4. SP Lucas Giolito (87 overall)
5. SP Lance Lynn (87 overall)
6. SS Tim Anderson (83 overall)
7. LF Eloy Jimenez (82 overall)
8. SP Dallas Keuchel (82 overall)
9. 3B Yoan Moncada (81 overall)
10. CF Luis Robert (81 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: 1B Andrew Vaughn (66 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: CF Billy Hamilton (72 overall)
Underrated: C Yermin Mercedes (65 overall)
Head-Scratcher: Dylan Cease (67) is ranked below both Carlos Rodon (75) and Reynaldo Lopez (72) among starting pitchers despite the fact that he was the clear No. 4 guy heading into spring training and to start the year. At least the 25-year-old was given "A" potential.
Cincinnati Reds
7 of 30
Eugenio SuarezRoss D. Franklin/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. 3B Eugenio Suarez (88 overall)
2. SP Sonny Gray (87 overall)
3. SP Luis Castillo (86 overall)
4. 2B Mike Moustakas (82 overall)
5. 1B Joey Votto (81 overall)
6. RF Nicholas Castellanos (79 overall)
7. RP Sean Doolittle (79 overall)
8. C Tucker Barnhart (77 overall)
9. SP Michael Lorenzen (76 overall)
10. SP Tyler Mahle (76 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: SP Hunter Greene (66 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: 3B Eugenio Suarez (88 overall)
Underrated: RP Tejay Antone (69 overall)
Head-Scratcher: Another puzzling "D" potential decision was catcher Tyler Stephenson, who is the unquestioned backstop of the future in Cincinnati and one of the best catching prospects in baseball. His 66 overall rating is also a bit harsh for a player who is MLB-ready.
Cleveland
8 of 30
Shane BieberCarlos Osorio/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. SP Shane Bieber (95 overall)
2. 3B Jose Ramirez (92 overall)
3. C Roberto Perez (86 overall)
4. LF Eddie Rosario (83 overall)
5. SP Aaron Civale (82 overall)
6. CP James Karinchak (82 overall)
7. SP Zach Plesac (82 overall)
8. 2B Cesar Hernandez (81 overall)
9. RP Oliver Perez (80 overall)
10. C Austin Hedges (78 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: SS Brayan Rocchio (68 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: SP Aaron Civale (82 overall)
Underrated: RP Emmanuel Clase (66 overall)
Head-Scratcher: The consensus No. 1 prospect in the Cleveland system for several years running has been third baseman Nolan Jones, yet he was given a 60 overall rating and "B" potential as something of an afterthought in the game.
Colorado Rockies
9 of 30
Trevor StoryDavid Zalubowski/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. SS Trevor Story (91 overall)
2. RF Charlie Blackmon (81 overall)
3. SP German Marquez (80 overall)
4. 1B C.J. Cron (77 overall)
5. SP Jon Gray (77 overall)
6. RP Scott Oberg (77 overall)
7. 2B Garrett Hampson (76 overall)
8. RP Mychal Givens (75 overall)
9. SP Austin Gomber (74 overall)
10. RF Sam Hilliard (83 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: 1B Michael Toglia (63 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: 2B Garrett Hampson (76 overall)
Underrated: 1B Ryan McMahon (70 overall)
Head-Scratcher: Casey Golden is a 72 overall with "A" potential and the best left fielder on the Rockies roster in the game. The 26-year-old posted a respectable .848 OPS with 23 home runs in 104 games at High-A in 2019, but he's nowhere to be found among the team's top 30 prospects on MLB.com and Baseball America, and given his age he looks more like organizational depth than a future star.
Detroit Tigers
10 of 30
Jonathan SchoopCarlos Osorio/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. 2B Jonathan Schoop (83 overall)
2. 3B Jeimer Candelario (78 overall)
3. C Wilson Ramos (78 overall)
4. SS Niko Goodrum (76 overall)
5. SP Matthew Boyd (75 overall)
6. 1B Miguel Cabrera (75 overall)
7. SS Willi Castro (75 overall)
8. LF Robbie Grossman (75 overall)
9. CF Victor Reyes (75 overall)
10. SP Spencer Turnbull (75 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: SP Casey Mize (69 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: SP Joey Wentz (70 overall)
Underrated: CF Akil Baddoo (64 overall)
Head-Scratcher: At no point has the 22-year-old Wentz (70 overall) ever been more highly regarded than fellow up-and-coming pitchers Mize (69 overall), Matt Manning (67 overall) and Tarik Skubal (66 overall). Those three were all given "A" potential, while Wentz has "B" potential, but the point still stands.
Houston Astros
11 of 30
Alex BregmanTony Gutierrez/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. 3B Alex Bregman (92 overall)
2. SP Justin Verlander (91 overall)
3. SP Zack Greinke (90 overall)
4. 2B Jose Altuve (88 overall)
5. LF Yordan Alvarez (87 overall)
6. SS Carlos Correa (87 overall)
7. LF Michael Brantley (85 overall)
8. CP Ryan Pressly (85 overall)
9. SP Lance McCullers Jr. (84 overall)
10. SP Framber Valdez (80 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: C Korey Lee (75 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: RP Joe Smith (79 overall)
Underrated: RF Kyle Tucker (77 overall)
Head-Scratcher: They may be future Hall of Famers, but do Verlander and Greinke both still deserve to be part of the exclusive 90 overall club? There are only 11 starting pitchers in the game with at least a 90 overall rating.
Kansas City Royals
12 of 30
Whit MerrifieldSue Ogrocki/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. 2B Whit Merrifield (88 overall)
2. SS Adalberto Mondesi (86 overall)
3. C Salvador Perez (85 overall)
4. 1B Carlos Santana (79 overall)
5. SP Mike Minor (78 overall)
6. LF Andrew Benintendi (77 overall)
7. SP Brad Keller (77 overall)
8. SP Brady Singer (77 overall)
9. RF Jorge Soler (77 overall)
10. 3B Hunter Dozier (76 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: SS Bobby Witt Jr. (71 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: SP J.C. Cloney (76 overall)
Underrated: CF Kyle Isbel (69 overall)
Head-Scratcher: Cloney went 12-1 with a 2.21 ERA in 14 starts between rookie ball and Single-A in 2018, but he was old for his level and lacked swing-and-miss stuff. At 26 years old, he looks like organizational depth or perhaps a middle-relief arm. With a 76 overall rating, he's ahead of Michael Pineda (75), Jesus Luzardo (74), Zach Eflin (74) and countless top prospects. Comical.
Los Angeles Angels
13 of 30
Mike TroutOrlin Wagner/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. CF Mike Trout (99 overall)
2. 3B Anthony Rendon (93 overall)
3. 2B David Fletcher (87 overall)
4. SP Dylan Bundy (80 overall)
5. CP Raisel Iglesias (80 overall)
6. SP Shohei Ohtani (80 overall)
7. SP Andrew Heaney (79 overall)
8. SS Jose Iglesias (79 overall)
9. SP Jose Quintana (78 overall)
10. C Max Stassi (78 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: SS Jeremiah Jackson (65 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: 2B David Fletcher (87 overall)
Underrated: 1B Jared Walsh (74 overall)
Head-Scratcher: Why is Alex Cobb a relief pitcher? All 158 of his MLB appearances have been as a starter, and the trade to acquire him was one of the bigger moves the Angels made this offseason as they tried to shore up the starting rotation.
Los Angeles Dodgers
14 of 30
Mookie BettsAshley Landis/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. RF Mookie Betts (98 overall)
2. SP Clayton Kershaw (95 overall)
3. SP Trevor Bauer (93 overall)
4. CF Cody Bellinger (93 overall)
5. SP Walker Buehler (89 overall)
6. CP Kenley Jansen (86 overall)
7. C Will Smith (86 overall)
8. 1B Max Muncy (85 overall)
9. SP Julio Urias (85 overall)
10. SS Corey Seager (84 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: 2B Gavin Lux (74 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: CP Kenley Jansen (86 overall)
Underrated:2B Zach McKinstry (63 overall)
Head-Scratcher: Muncy has a 15.3 percent walk rate and .363 on-base percentage over the course of his MLB career. Despite that, his plate vision rating is 50, which is the worst of any player in the Dodgers starting lineup.
Miami Marlins
15 of 30
Starling MarteJohn Bazemore/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. CF Starling Marte (84 overall)
2. SP Pablo Lopez (81 overall)
3. 3B Brian Anderson (80 overall)
4. 2B Jon Berti (80 overall)
5. SS Miguel Rojas (79 overall)
6. 1B Jesus Aguilar (78 overall)
7. RF Adam Duvall (78 overall)
8. SP Sandy Alcantara (77 overall)
9. RP Dylan Floro (77 overall)
10. SP Sixto Sanchez (77 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: RF J.J. Bleday (68 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: 2B Jon Berti (80 overall)
Underrated: SS Jazz Chisholm (64 overall)
Head-Scratcher: Victor Victor Mesa joined the Marlins with a boat load of hype and a $5.25 million signing bonus in 2018, but after hitting a punchless .235/.274/.263 in 503 plate appearances in his pro debut his prospect star has faded considerably. It's a big stretch to give him "A" potential at this point.
Milwaukee Brewers
16 of 30
Christian YelichNam Y. Huh/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. LF Christian Yelich (96 overall)
2. SP Brandon Woodruff (86 overall)
3. CP Josh Hader (85 overall)
4. 2B Kolten Wong (85 overall)
5. RP Devin Williams (84 overall)
6. SP Freddy Peralta (81 overall)
7. SP Corbin Burnes (80 overall)
8. CF Lorenzo Cain (79 overall)
9. C Manny Pina (79 overall)
10. RF Avisail Garcia (77 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: SS Luis Urias (70 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: C Manny Pina (79 overall)
Underrated: RP Drew Rasmussen (58 overall)
Head-Scratcher: Despite a down season at the plate last year, it's still puzzling to see Omar Narvaez (75 overall) ranked below Pina (79 overall) on the Brewers catcher depth chart. The 75 rating actually feels about right for Narvaez, so it's really a case of Pina being wildly overrated relative to the rest of the catcher position.
Minnesota Twins
17 of 30
Josh DonaldsonJohn Bazemore/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. 3B Josh Donaldson (90 overall)
2. CF Byron Buxton (88 overall)
3. SP Kenta Maeda (88 overall)
4. RF Nelson Cruz (84 overall)
5. RP Taylor Rogers (84 overall)
6. RP Tyler Duffey (83 overall)
7. SS Andrelton Simmons (83 overall)
8. SP Jose Berrios (81 overall)
9. CP Alex Colome (79 overall)
10. C Mitch Garver (78 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: SP Jordan Balazovic (69 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: 3B Josh Donaldson (90 overall)
Underrated: SP Michael Pineda (75 overall)
Head-Scratcher: Luis Arraez took the top spot in our analytically driven ranking of the best contact hitters in baseball, yet he was only given an 81 contact rating against right-handed pitching. If he's not a 90-plus guy in that category, who is?
New York Mets
18 of 30
Jacob deGromDavid Zalubowski/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. SP Jacob deGrom (99 overall)
2. 2B Jeff McNeil (89 overall)
3. SS Francisco Lindor (88 overall)
4. RF Michael Conforto (87 overall)
5. SP Noah Syndergaard (87 overall)
6. 1B Pete Alonso (85 overall)
7. SP Carlos Carrasco (85 overall)
8. RP Seth Lugo (85 overall)
9. CP Edwin Diaz (83 overall)
10. C James McCann (83 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: C Francisco Alvarez (64 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: 2B Jonathan Villar (81 overall)
Underrated: CF Brandon Nimmo (71 overall)
Head-Scratcher: It's easy to love McNeil, but is there really anyone who thinks he's a better player than Lindor? A 69 rating for contact against right-handed pitching was the biggest thing that kept Lindor from a higher rating, and with a .277 average and .822 OPS against righties in his career that feels low.
New York Yankees
19 of 30
Aaron JudgeMike Carlson/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. RF Aaron Judge (97 overall)
2. SP Gerrit Cole (94 overall)
3. 2B DJ LeMahieu (93 overall)
4. LF Giancarlo Stanton (92 overall)
5. CP Aroldis Chapman (87 overall)
6. SP Corey Kluber (86 overall)
7. 1B Luke Voit (86 overall)
8. RP Chad Green (85 overall)
9. 2B Gleyber Torres (85 overall)
10. 3B Gio Urshela (85 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: SP Deivi Garcia (74 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: SP Corey Kluber (86 overall)
Underrated: SP Jordan Montgomery (77 overall)
Head-Scratcher: A 72 rating and "B" potential for Jasson Dominguez feels extremely backwards. The 18-year-old still has a ways to go to reach his ultimate ceiling, so his current rating is ridiculously high. At the same time, if he's not an "A" potential player, no one is.
Oakland Athletics
20 of 30
Matt ChapmanJed Jacobsohn/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. 3B Matt Chapman (91 overall)
2. CF Ramon Laureano (86 overall)
3. RP Trevor Rosenthal (84 overall)
4. 1B Matt Olson (83 overall)
5. C Sean Murphy (82 overall)
6. CP Jake Diekman (80 overall)
7. SP Sean Manaea (80 overall)
8. RP J.B. Wendelken (80 overall)
9. SP Chris Bassitt (79 overall)
10. RP Yusmeiro Petit (78 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: SS Robert Puason (71 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: RP Trevor Rosenthal (84 overall)
Underrated: CF Mark Canha (71 overall)
Head-Scratcher: For the second year in a row, left-hander A.J. Puk was not included on the Oakland roster. It's unclear whether it's a matter of him not signing off on his likeness being part of the game, or a simple oversight on the part of the programmers, but it stands out as one of the more glaring omissions.
Philadelphia Phillies
21 of 30
Aaron NolaLaurence Kesterson/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. SP Aaron Nola (92 overall)
2. C J.T. Realmuto (92 overall)
3. RF Bryce Harper (90 overall)
4. LF Andrew McCutchen (83 overall)
5. SS Jean Segura (83 overall)
6. 1B Rhys Hoskins (81 overall)
7. SP Zack Wheeler (81 overall)
8. 3B Alec Bohm (78 overall)
9. RP Jose Alvarado (77 overall)
10. RP Archie Bradley (77 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: SS Bryson Stott (71 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: LF Andrew McCutchen (83 overall)
Underrated: SP Zach Eflin (74 overall)
Head-Scratcher: Listing Segura, Didi Gregorius and Scott Kingery all as shortstop just feels lazy, and that's especially true of Kingery. He saw the bulk of his playing time in center field last year and his natural position is second base.
Pittsburgh Pirates
22 of 30
Jacob StallingsGene J. Puskar/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. C Jacob Stallings (82 overall)
2. 2B Adam Frazier (81 overall)
3. 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes (81 overall)
4. SS Erik Gonzalez (73 overall)
5. CP Richard Rodriguez (73 overall)
6. SP Tyler Anderson (72 overall)
7. RP Kyle Crick (72 overall)
8. 2B Wilmer Difo (72 overall)
9. SP Chad Kuhl (72 overall)
10. 2B Kevin Newman (72 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: SP Mitch Keller (69 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: 2B Wilmer Difo (72 overall)
Underrated: CF Bryan Reynolds (72 overall)
Head-Scratcher: The Pirates roster is thin on potential long-term pieces, but Reynolds (72 overall) and first baseman Colin Moran (70 overall) have shown some intriguing upside. The fact that they don't crack the top 10, while Difo does, is truly puzzling.
San Diego Padres
23 of 30
Manny MachadoRichard W. Rodriguez/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. 3B Manny Machado (95 overall)
2. SS Fernando Tatis Jr. (95 overall)
3. SP Yu Darvish (88 overall)
4. SP Blake Snell (88 overall)
5. SP Mike Clevinger (87 overall)
6. SP Dinelson Lamet (87 overall)
7. 2B Jake Cronenworth (85 overall)
8. LF Tommy Pham (85 overall)
9. RF Wil Myers (81 overall)
10. C Austin Nola (81 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: SP MacKenzie Gore (68 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: 2B Jake Cronenworth (85 overall)
Underrated: SP Joe Musgrove (79 overall)
Head-Scratcher: Even before his brilliant start to the 2021 season, Musgrove seemed like an easy choice to be ranked ahead of Chris Paddack (81 overall) based on what he's done in Pittsburgh the past few seasons. Seems like another case of 2019 carrying more weight than it should on the rankings.
San Francisco Giants
24 of 30
Mike YastrzemskiJeff Chiu/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. RF Mike Yastrzemski (84 overall)
2. C Buster Posey (82 overall)
3. SP Kevin Gausman (80 overall)
4. RP Tyler Rogers (79 overall)
5. 1B Brandon Belt (78 overall)
6. 2B Wilmer Flores (77 overall)
7. 3B Evan Longoria (77 overall)
8. 2B Donovan Solano (77 overall)
9. C Curt Casali (76 overall)
10. RP Jake McGee (76 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: C Joey Bart (73 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: C Curt Casali (76 overall)
Underrated: 2B Tommy La Stella (75 overall)
Head-Scratcher: No "A" potential for Heliot Ramos? He hit .290/.369/.481 with 16 home runs and 55 RBI between High-A and Double-A in 2019 as a 19-year-old while showing a vastly improved approach at the plate. Still just 21, he has as much offensive upside as any prospect in the San Francisco system.
Seattle Mariners
25 of 30
Marco GonzalesBruce Kluckhohn/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. RP Ken Giles (84 overall)
2. SP Marco Gonzales (84 overall)
3. SP James Paxton (83 overall)
4. 2B Dylan Moore (81 overall)
5. 3B Kyle Seager (80 overall)
6. C Tom Murphy (79 overall)
7. CF Kyle Lewis (78 overall)
8. SP Justus Sheffield (77 overall)
9. RF Mitch Haniger (75 overall)
10. SS J.P. Crawford (73 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: CF Jarred Kelenic (65 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: RP Ken Giles (84 overall)
Underrated: RP Rafael Montero (63 overall)
Head-Scratcher: Giles underwent Tommy John surgery on Oct. 1 and will be sidelined for the entirety of the 2021 season. Why not bump his rating down 10-15 points and make him a non-factor in this year's game, rather than the best player on the Seattle roster?
St. Louis Cardinals
26 of 30
Nolan ArenadoJeff Roberson/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. 3B Nolan Arenado (98 overall)
2. 1B Paul Goldschmidt (89 overall)
3. SP Jack Flaherty (86 overall)
4. RP Giovanny Gallegos (84 overall)
5. RP Andrew Miller (82 overall)
6. C Yadier Molina (82 overall)
7. LF Tyler O'Neill (82 overall)
8. CF Harrison Hader (81 overall)
9. SS Tommy Edman (81 overall)
10. SP Miles Mikolas (81 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: RF Dylan Carlson (70 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: LF Tyler O'Neill (82 overall)
Underrated: CP Alex Reyes (66 overall)
Head-Scratcher: Why is Edman a shortstop? He was the clear heir apparent at second base as soon as the Cardinals non-tendered Kolten Wong. He has also seen more time at second base, third base and in the outfield than he has at shortstop during his time in the majors.
Tampa Bay Rays
27 of 30
Brandon LoweSteve Nesius/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. 2B Brandon Lowe (91 overall)
2. RP Nick Anderson (90 overall)
3. CF Kevin Kiermaier (83 overall)
4. SP Ryan Yarbrough (82 overall)
5. CF Randy Arozarena (81 overall)
6. SP Rich Hill (81 overall)
7. 2B Joey Wendle (81 overall)
8. SS Willy Adames (78 overall)
9. SP Tyler Glasnow (78 overall)
10. SP Chris Archer (77 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: SS Wander Franco (67 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: CF Kevin Kiermaier (83 overall)
Underrated: SP Tyler Glasnow (78 overall)
Head-Scratcher: On what planet are Yarbrough and Hill better starting pitchers than Glasnow? At least they gave Glasnow "A" potential, so he should overtake them both in short order if you're playing a franchise, but that's a tough one to justify from the start.
Texas Rangers
28 of 30
Joey GalloRoger Steinman/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. RF Joey Gallo (89 overall)
2. CP Jose Leclerc (81 overall)
3. SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa (80 overall)
4. RP Jonathan Hernandez (76 overall)
5. 2B Nick Solak (76 overall)
6. LF David Dahl (75 overall)
7. SP Dane Dunning (75 overall)
8. SS Charlie Culberson (74 overall)
9. LF Khris Davis (74 overall)
10. SP Kyle Gibson (74 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: CF Bubba Thompson (68 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: SS Charlie Culberson (74 overall)
Underrated: LF Willie Calhoun (69 overall)
Head-Scratcher: Where is Kohei Arihara? The 28-year-old Japanese import signed a two-year contract with the Rangers the day after Christmas, so the game developers had plenty of time to get his paperwork in order to be included in the game.
Toronto Blue Jays
29 of 30
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.Jeffrey T. Barnes/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. RP Kirby Yates (88 overall)
2. LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (87 overall)
3. SP Hyun Jin Ryu (87 overall)
4. LF Teoscar Hernandez (86 overall)
5. CF George Springer (83 overall)
6. SS Bo Bichette (82 overall)
7. 2B Cavan Biggio (80 overall)
8. SS Marcus Semien (80 overall)
9. SP Ross Stripling (78 overall)
10. RF Randal Grichuk (76 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: SP Alek Manoah (72 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: RP Kirby Yates (88 overall)
Underrated: 3B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (74 overall)
Head-Scratcher: Springer as the lowest-rated player in Toronto's starting outfield is a tough pill to swallow. Gurriel and Hernandez both had excellent seasons in 2020 and are worthy of a spot inside the team's top 10 even if their ratings are a bit high, but Springer is an established star playing a premium position.
Washington Nationals
30 of 30
Juan SotoAlex Brandon/Associated Press
Top 10 Players
1. LF Juan Soto (95 overall)
2. SP Max Scherzer (94 overall)
3. SP Stephen Strasburg (91 overall)
4. SS Trea Turner (87 overall)
5. CP Brad Hand (86 overall)
6. SP Patrick Corbin (83 overall)
7. CF Victor Robles (81 overall)
8. RP Will Harris (80 overall)
9. 2B Starlin Castro (79 overall)
10. RP Wander Suero (79 overall)
Franchise Mode Target: 3B Carter Kieboom (68 overall, "A" potential)
Overrated: CF Victor Robles (81 overall)
Underrated: SP Joe Ross (66 overall)
Head-Scratcher: High-floor prospect Tim Cate (68 overall) and groundball pitcher Sterling Sharp (68 overall) both have a higher rating than Ross. Neither of those pitchers was even in consideration for the final spot in the rotation this spring, which Ross won over Erick Fedde and Austin Voth.
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs, while player ratings were pulled from MLB The Show 2021 and are accurate as of the first online roster update.