Shortstop is the place to be in MLB The Show 23 when wanting to show off the leather. Even gamers that plan on being more of a hitter than a defensive fielder will find that getting more opportunities on defense helps them level up and can be a nice break in the action between at-bats.
Getting more defensive action in MLB The Show 23 is only one of the perks. Players usually get to show off their speed and average, hitting near the top of the order for more at-bats than other positions as well. Throw in some pop at the plate and, so long as players have a good team with a need at shortstop, this is always a popular position.
New York Yankees
Position | Rating Of Best Player |
Starting Pitcher 1 | 93 |
Starting Pitcher 2 | 89 |
Starting Pitcher 3 | 86 |
Starting Pitcher 4 | 83 |
Starting Pitcher 5 | 77 |
Relief Pitcher | 85 |
Closing Pitcher | 83 |
Catcher | 78 |
First Baseman | 81 |
Second Baseman | 79 |
Third Baseman | 80 |
Shortstop | 73 |
Left Fielder | 79 |
Center Fielder | 79 |
Right Fielder | 99 |
It's hard to believe that a team like the Yankees has an available spot anywhere. While their shortstop isn't atrocious, he is the lowest-rated player on the team by no small margin. The rest of the team is all 77 or better, meaning this is really the only spot they need to fill to become one of the best teams in baseball.
New York has the top-rated defense in the league and is in the top five for pitching and power. They could use some help in the areas of speed and contact, something a quality shortstop can provide them the instant the player gets called up from the minors.
Atlanta Braves
Position | Rating Of Best Player |
Starting Pitcher 1 | 94 |
Starting Pitcher 2 | 90 |
Starting Pitcher 3 | 82 |
Starting Pitcher 4 | 79 |
Starting Pitcher 5 | 79 |
Relief Pitcher | 85 |
Closing Pitcher | 84 |
Catcher | 83 |
First Baseman | 87 |
Second Baseman | 82 |
Third Baseman | 93 |
Shortstop | 72 |
Left Fielder | 73 |
Center Fielder | 89 |
Right Fielder | 92 |
Speaking of great teams, the top-ranked team in baseball somehow has an opening at their shortstop position. The Braves have the number one pitching and power ratings, the two most important metrics when it comes to team success.
By any category and in any version of the game, Atlanta is the place to be. This is a team that had their star player get injured and they still won the World Series a few years ago. With the player's character on the squad at shortstop, there will be no competition.
Miami Marlins
Position | Rating Of Best Player |
Starting Pitcher 1 | 90 |
Starting Pitcher 2 | 78 |
Starting Pitcher 3 | 77 |
Starting Pitcher 4 | 77 |
Starting Pitcher 5 | 75 |
Relief Pitcher | 74 |
Closing Pitcher | 77 |
Catcher | 77 |
First Baseman | 76 |
Second Baseman | 73 |
Third Baseman | 80 |
Shortstop | 71 |
Left Fielder | 72 |
Center Fielder | 88 |
Right Fielder | 72 |
The Marlins have nobody on the squad below 72 besides the shortstop. They do have a few other needs and the team won't complain about another starting pitcher joining them, but with a good shortstop, they go from being average to being a playoff contender.
Miami has only three players above an 80 rating, meaning shortstops who want to play the game their way will be welcome. Go ahead and play an unorthodox slugger in Miami, they're not going to turn down bat power regardless of which position provides it.
Colorado Rockies
Position | Rating Of Best Player |
Starting Pitcher 1 | 74 |
Starting Pitcher 2 | 72 |
Starting Pitcher 3 | 70 |
Starting Pitcher 4 | 68 |
Starting Pitcher 5 | 66 |
Relief Pitcher | 73 |
Closing Pitcher | 81 |
Catcher | 69 |
First Baseman | 85 |
Second Baseman | 78 |
Third Baseman | 77 |
Shortstop | 62 |
Left Fielder | 76 |
Center Fielder | 75 |
Right Fielder | 75 |
The Rockies are one of the worst teams in baseball. But if gamers care more about individual accolades than team accolades, this is statistically the best place to play. The shortstop, at a putrid 62, is the lowest-rated starter in the game, so players will get called up faster here than anywhere else.
It's easy to get hung up on how the team needs another catcher and several more starting pitchers. But this is Coors Field. This is the easiest place to hit home runs. The field is also massive, so contact hitters will find singles and doubles turning into doubles and triples.
Seattle Mariners
Position | Rating Of Best Player |
Starting Pitcher 1 | 88 |
Starting Pitcher 2 | 82 |
Starting Pitcher 3 | 81 |
Starting Pitcher 4 | 80 |
Starting Pitcher 5 | 70 |
Relief Pitcher | 86 |
Closing Pitcher | 80 |
Catcher | 80 |
First Baseman | 78 |
Second Baseman | 74 |
Third Baseman | 80 |
Shortstop | 70 |
Left Fielder | 80 |
Center Fielder | 89 |
Right Fielder | 87 |
The Mariners are a great team to play second base for as well, but their shortstop is the biggest issue. This might not be the first team when it comes to World Series dreams, but, looking at the roster, all but four players are above 80.
Nobody is above 89, so there isn't a bona fide superstar on the squad, just a ton of well-above-average talent. Step into Seattle and suddenly this becomes a team that will turn into an overdog overnight. They're only one great shortstop away.
Los Angeles Angels
Position | Rating Of Best Player |
Starting Pitcher 1 | 99 |
Starting Pitcher 2 | 83 |
Starting Pitcher 3 | 78 |
Starting Pitcher 4 | 76 |
Starting Pitcher 5 | 76 |
Relief Pitcher | 76 |
Closing Pitcher | 67 |
Catcher | 70 |
First Baseman | 82 |
Second Baseman | 74 |
Third Baseman | 77 |
Shortstop | 74 |
Left Fielder | 81 |
Center Fielder | 99 |
Right Fielder | 86 |
Outside of a terrible closer in need of replacement, the Angels are a pretty complete team. They've got two 99 players that are among the best athletes to ever play baseball. The rest of the roster isn't bad. And yet, they've been an above-average team that makes no splash in the playoffs for decades.
They need to get one more star to get this team to the top. A shortstop would be the easiest place to carry a team on both ends of the ball. This may seem like a sentimental pick, but, on paper, this is something the Angels organization needs.
MLB The Show 23 is available now for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.