Being a shutdown pitcher in MLB The Show 23 means being the best pitcher in the park over a very short duration. Often tasked with getting just one batter out or tossing the final inning, nobody has to live under pressure the way relief pitchers do.

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Great teams typically have great closers. In MLB The Show 23, there are only a few that can handle the consistent scrutiny that the bullpen gets. These elite closers eliminate the chances another team has to make a big comeback which is why great teams make sure to have a good one.

10 A.J. Minter - 85

• 4-Seam Fastball: 97 MPH
• Cutter: 90 MPH
• Circle Change: 88 MPH

There is a reason the Braves are ranked first in pitching. With great starters, Minter fills in the gaps until it's time to bring in the closer.

9 Michael King - 85

• Sinker: 95 MPH
• Slider: 83 MPH
• 4-Seam Fastball: 96 MPH
• Circle Change: 88 MPH

Michael King is a beast out of the bullpen, taking over in tough situations for the Yankees and limiting the damage in potentially big innings.

8 Josh Hader - 85

• 2-Seam Fastball: 97 MPH
• Slider: 84 MPH
• Circle Change: 88 MPH

Hader had a big trade last season and he struggled early on to find his footing in San Diego. However, he seems to have figured it out and could easily lead this list by the season's end.

7 Ryan Pressly - 85

• Slider: 90 MPH
• 4-Seam Fastball: 95 MPH
• Slurve: 81 MPH
• Circle Change: 88 MPH

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Perennial championship contenders and last year's World Series winners, the Astros can chalk up many of their wins to Pressly shutting down the offense. They're one of the best teams in baseball for a reason.

6 Felix Bautista - 85

• 4-Seam Fastball: 98 MPH
• Splitter: 88 MPH
• Slider: 85 MPH

The Orioles are lucky to have Bautista there to induce weak contact and ground balls with men on base. If players want to turn double plays, the team could use an improvement at second.

5 Andres Munoz - 86

• Slider: 89 MPH
• 4-Seam Fastball: 99 MPH
• 2-Seam Fastball: 97 MPH

Munoz is a relief pitcher and not a true closer for the Mariners but he's got the talent to do either. He'll greatly appreciate any defensive help that the team could use at shortstop.

4 Ryan Helsley - 86

• 4-Seam Fastball: 99 MPH
• Slider: 89 MPH
• 12-6 Curve: 81 MPH
• Circle Change: 88 MPH

Helsley dominates the end of the game from the mound for the Cardinals. Gamers that want to give him some run support should take the job vacancy in left field.

3 Evan Phillips - 90

• Slider: 85 MPH
• Cutter: 93 MPH
• 4-Seam Fastball: 96 MPH
• Sinker: 95 MPH

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In part due to the dominance of Phillips at the end of their games, the Dodgers have a complete team. They could use a new center fielder in a bad way, though.

2 Edwin Diaz - 92

• 4-Seam Fastball: 99 MPH
• Slider: 91 MPH
• 2-Seam Fastball: 97 MPH

Diaz added spice to the closing role last year with his infamous "Narco" entrance. The Mets would like to get a more consistent catcher to handle Diaz in the latter innings, gamers can look forward to calling pitches for Diaz in New York.

1 Emmanuel Clase - 93

• Cutter: 97 MPH
• Slider: 92 MPH
• 4-Seam Fastball: 99 MPH

When it comes to shutting down the opposition, nobody did it better than Emmanuel Clase did last year. The Guardians are seeking another starting pitcher, so players who want to have their solid starts protected by Clase should go to Cleveland.

MLB The Show 23 is available now for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

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