Best Pitchers In MLB The Show 23 (2024)

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MLB The Show 23 was released a couple of days ago, and thousands of fans have already begun to delve into the newest hit edition of the baseball video game series. With so much to get a feel for and tryout, some of you might be wondering where to hone in on first as your explore the menu of game modes and new features that come with each.

For those that are aiming to dive right into some exhibition games to get a feel for the new player ratings, or are scouting a strong star to build around in Franchise Mode, it doesn’t hurt to know which pitchers are the best in the game. As many fans know, pitching is the backbone of your defense. And having a strong ace or closer on the mound, makes a huge difference.

To help you identify which pitchers are best to use in MLB The Show 23, we’ve provided the Top 5 in the game down below, along with some statistical analysis on why each player made the cut. So without further ado, here’s the best pitchers in MLB The Show 23.

MLB The Show 23 – Best Pitchers

In this section, we present the Top 5pitchers in MLB The Show 23. To go with their team, overall rating, and some of their key skill attributes, we also provided a small blurb for each player on why they made the list.

Here’s the Top 5 pitchers in the game:

1. Shohei Ohtani (SP) – Angels –99 Overall

The gifted Japanese native Shohei Ohtani sits atop the pitching overall ratings with a stellar 99 overall and deservedly so. The young superstar has been nothing short of brilliant over his young career – not only on the mound but at the plate – reigniting the potential two-way players have in the MLB. Last season, Ohtani finished with a 15-9 record to go with a 2.33 ERA and 219 strikeouts in 28 starts. This is not to mention that he also posted a batting average of .273, to go with 34 HRs, 95 RBIs, and 90 runs.

Pitching Attributes:

• Velocity: 90
• Break: 99
• Control: 80
• Stamina: 86

2. Jacob deGrom (SP) – Rangers –99 Overall

Despite leaving the New York Mets to play for the Texas Rangers, Jacob deGrom is still as dangerous and elite of a starting pitcher as any. The two-time Cy Young Winner and four-time All-Star has been downright special over these last five seasons, and it wasn’t until last year that deGrom posted an ERA of 3.00 or higher for the first time since his 2017 campaign. In just 11 starts for the Mets last season, deGrom posted a 5-4 record to go with a 3.08 ERA and 102 strikeouts. Though it wasn’t the best season from deGrom, his greatness is still undeniable and he will look to prove that for the Rangers again this year.

Pitching Attributes:

• Velocity: 99
• Break: 74
• Control: 87
• Stamina: 88

3. Justin Verlander (SP) – Mets –98 Overall

New York Mets starting pitcher and ace, Justin Verlander, has had a career that’s fared like an aged, very high-end wine. No seriously! Since 2018, Verlander has been named an All-Star three times, has won two of his three Cy Young Awards, and has yet to produce an ERA over 2.58 when starting 16 games or more. Last year, he finished with an 18-4 record, a league best 1.75 ERA, and 185 strikeouts en route to the Houston Astros second World Series title. Verlander is simply gifted, and even at age 40, is as elite as ever.

Pitching Attributes:

• Velocity: 78
• Break: 90
• Control: 82
• Stamina: 93

4. Max Scherzer (SP) – Mets –96 Overall

Along with Justin Verlander, the New York Mets have another multiple Cy Young winning ace in Max Scherzer to round out probably the best starting rotation tandem in the MLB. The eight-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young Winner has been a dominant force since the 2013 season, and hasn’t looked back. Though he wasn’t named an All-Star last year, Scherzer should have been seeing how well he pitched. In 23 starts, Scherzer finished with an 11-5 record to go with a 2.29 ERA and a total of 173 strikeouts. Just like Verlander, Scherzer hasn’t slowed down with age, and at 38, is still one of the best pitchers in the game.

Pitching Attributes:

• Velocity: 73
• Break: 99
• Control: 80
• Stamina: 92

5. Corbin Burns (SP) – Brewers –95 Overall

The Milwaukee Brewers are home to one of the best young and upcoming pitchers in the MLB, in the 2021 Cy Young Winner, Corbin Burns. Though the league is filled with some elite strikeout pitchers, Burns has hit a different level with his out and success rate that not many in the MLB have matched. Following his 2021 Cy Young Winning season where Burns went 11-5 with an MLB best 2.43 ERA to go 234 strikeouts, Burns delivered in a big way yet again in 2022, finishing with a 12-8 record, a 2.94 ERA, and a National League best 243 strikeouts. If you want a strikeout machine, look no further than Burns.

Pitching Attributes:

• Velocity: 99
• Break: 86
• Control: 76
• Stamina: 90

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