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How MLB The Show 16’s top rated players differ from last year

By on @pastapadre

The highest rated players by position were recently revealed for MLB The Show 16. In comparing them to the final roster in MLB 15: The Show, the movement within the groups, and the players who are now in or out of them, can be identified.

First Base

Mark Teixeira has fallen out of the top nine and in his place is Jose Abreu. Miguel Cabrera, who had been rated 99 Overall the past two seasons, has slid down three points and now shares the top ranking at the position with Paul Goldschmidt.

96 – Miguel Cabrera, Tigers (-3)
96 – Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks (-)
94 – Joey Votto, Reds (+1)
92 – Anthony Rizzo, Cubs (+1)
88 – Chris Davis, Orioles (+1)
87 – Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays (+1)
87 – Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers (-1)
86 – Jose Abreu, White Sox (-)

Second Base

No major changes at 2B going into MLB 16. Dee Gordon has secured the second highest rating at the position, passing by Robinson Cano, Dustin Pedroia, and Jason Kipnis.

94 – Jose Altuve, Astros (+1)
90 – Dee Gordon, Marlins (+2)
88 – Robinson Cano, Mariners (-2)
87 – Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox (-2)
87 – Jason Kipnis, Indians (-2)
85 – Brian Dozier, Twins (-)
85 – Ian Kinsler, Tigers (-)
84 – Ben Zobrist, Cubs (-3)

Shortstop

Carlos Correa continues to make a charge up the ranks. He’s gone up 14 points from when he debuted as a rookie last season. Jose Reyes is going the opposite direction however, and his drop doesn’t even account for the suspension he’s facing this season. New to the top group are Francisco Lindor and Corey Seager, taking the place of Jose Iglesias and Alcides Escobar.

93 – Troy Tulowitzki, Blue Jays (-)
91 – Carlos Correa, Astros (+4)
88 – Brandon Crawford, Giants (+2)
85 – Francisco Lindor, Indians (+1)
84 – Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (-)
84 – Corey Seager, Dodgers (+1)
84 – Andrelton Simmons, Angels (-)
83 – Jose Reyes, Rockies (-5)

Third Base

Cover athlete Josh Donaldson retains the top spot at third. Todd Frazier and Matt Carpenter have found their way into the top nine this season, with David Wright and Alex Rodriguez slipping out.

96 – Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays (-)
94 – Manny Machado, Orioles (+1)
93 – Nolan Arenado, Rockies (+2)
87 – Adrian Beltre, Rangers (-)
86 – Matt Carpenter, Cardinals (+3)
85 – Kris Bryant, Cubs (-2)
85 – Evan Longoria, Rays (-1)
84 – Todd Frazier, White Sox (-)

Catcher

Only one change at catcher for the group as Yan Gomes replaces Yasmani Grandal. Otherwise the top nine all fall in line similar to last season.

94 – Buster Posey, Giants (-1)
87 – Brian McCann, Yankees (+1)
84 – Matt Wieters, Orioles (-2)
84 – Russell Martin, Blue Jays (-2)
83 – Yadier Molina, Cardinals (+1)
82 – Salvador Perez, Royals (-)
82 – Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers (+1)
82 – Yan Gomes, Indians (-)

Right Field

Bryce Harper is now the third highest rated player in The Show. Carlos Gonzalez and Jose Bautista are making a charge towards 90 Overall. George Springer is the new edition to this elite group of right fielders, taking the place of ill-advised cover athlete from last season Yasiel Puig.

97 – Bryce Harper, Nationals (+1)
93 – Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins (-)
89 – Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies (+3)
89 – Jose Bautista, Blue Jays (+3)
89 – Nelson Cruz, Mariners (-)
88 – Hunter Pence, Giants (+1)
86 – George Springer, Astros (+2)
85 – Jason Heyward, Cubs (-2)

Center Field

It’s the same group of top center fielders going into the new game. Carlos Gomez moving up just adds even more to the talented offensive lineup of the Astros.

99 – Mike Trout, Angels (-)
94 – Andrew McCutchen, Pirates (-)
89 – Carlos Gomez, Astros (+3)
88 – Yoenis Cespedes, Mets (-2)
88 – Lorenzo Cain, Royals (+1)
87 – A.J. Pollock, Diamondbacks (+2)
86 – Adam Jones, Orioles (-2)
85 – Mookie Betts, Red Sox (-)

Left Field

The two players to receive huge boosts come from left field. Justin Upton has shot up eight points to lead the way now at the position, while Khris Davis went up 6 to find his way into the mix. Corey Dickerson and Coco Crisp have surrendered their standing within the lead group.

90 – Justin Upton, Tigers (+8)
87 – Michael Brantley, Indians (-2)
86 – Starling Marte, Pirates (-)
86 – Ryan Braun, Brewers (-1)
84 – Matt Holliday, Cardinals (+2)
84 – Alex Gordon, Royals (-)
82 – Jason Werth, Nationals (-1)
81 – Khris Davis, Athletics (+6)

Starting Pitcher

As a group the starting pitchers have seen a strong uptick in ratings. 11 of the top 19 have gone up in ratings compared to just four having gone down.

99 – Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (-)
95 – Max Scherzer, Nationals (+1)
95 – Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks (-2)
95 – Jake Arrieta, Cubs (+1)
94 – Chris Sale, White Sox (+2)
94 – David Price, Red Sox (+1)
94 – Matt Harvey, Mets (+3)
93 – Madison Bumgarner, Giants (+3)
93 – Jacob deGrom, Mets (+2)
93 – Felix Hernandez, Mariners (-)
93 – Jose Fernandez, Marlins (-2)
92 – Sonny Gray, Athletics (+3)
91 – Dallas Keuchel, Astros (+3)
90 – Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (-3)
89 – Gerrit Cole, Pirates (-)
89 – Johnny Cueto, Giants (+2)
89 – Noah Syndergaard, Mets (+4)
88 – Jon Lester, Cubs (-)
88 – Yu Darvish, Rangers (-2)

Closer

Ratings boosts have also found their way to the closers. Mark Melancon benefits the most and finds himself in top group. He, along with Zach Britton, have taken the spots of Andrew Miller and Koji Uehara.

93 – Wade Davis, Royals (+3)
93 – Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox (-1)
93 – Kenley Jansen, Dodgers (+2)
92 – Aroldis Chapman, Yankees (+2)
89 – Mark Melancon, Pirates (+4)
88 – David Robertson, White Sox (+1)
87 – Zach Britton, Orioles (+1)
87 – Sean Doolittle, Athletics (-3)