RELATED: MLB The Show 22: Pitching Settings Guide
Want to show off that cannon of an arm and have the opportunity to throw out runners tagging for third and home? Nobody gets opportunities for outfield assists like right fielders do and elites can show off their arm in the field and their skills at the dish to astound MLB The Show 22 gamers.
Updated on July 18th, 2022 by Hodey Johns: This list first came out before the season started. All-Star week marks the halfway point of the season. So, how did the analysts do? Of course, nobody is perfect. Some players that were expected to do poorly ended up putting together a fantastic first half, so they needed to be added to the list. Others that were well-hyped didn’t quite hit the expectations of the experts, so they had to be dropped. A hot or a cold streak could see even the worst-ranked player make this list or the number one ranked player fall out of favor entirely. This is how things have shaken out so far.
14 Teoscar Hernandez - 81 OVR
There should not be as much of a gap between Teoscar Hernandez and the players ahead of him. No disrespect to them at all, but Hernandez has won two Silver Slugger awards for being the best hitter at his position for two years in a row now.
By the rankings, Hernandez is an above-average outfielder and has a good touch of speed. Where he truly shines is against lefties, with contact and power numbers that should make many managers consider bringing in a reliever when Hernandez steps up to the plate.
13 Mitch Haniger - 81 OVR
In 2021, Mitch Haniger had his best offensive year last year. He set career highs in home runs, RBIs, and runs scored. This year, he’s still playing well above expectations, playing his part of a Mariners team that is one of the hottest in baseball going into the All-Star game.
Regarding his ratings, they’re all in the average to the above-average range aside from his 96 durability. He’s not going to need any downtime for the Mariners in the game this year and he’ll be a steady presence out there in right field.
12
11
10
9 Taylor Ward - 82 OVR
It feels like 2022 is going to be a breakout season for Taylor Ward, an often unsung hero for the Angels. Those who assign ratings aren’t yet sure what to make of him. They’ve improved his stats to match his production, but his zone against righties and lefties is still entirely blue.
He’s still a solid player in the game. Every hitting category aside from bunting is 56 or better. His 95 contact rating against lefties and 94 discipline are the highlights, but he’s gifted at about everything except stealing bases.
8 Juan Soto - 83 OVR
Despite snagging his second consecutive All-Star honor, the ratings adjusters have not been as impressed with Juan Soto this year. He started the season almost 10 OVR higher than he is now. But he’s still one of the best, both in the video game and on the field.
Soto may be the toughest player to strike out in the game, with an almost entirely red strike zone and a stratospheric score of 125 in discipline. Gamers looking to get called up in Road to the Show as fast as possible will want to hit like Soto and mix in some defense and speed as well.
7 Starling Marte - 84 OVR
Although Starling Marte didn’t start off the year on this list, that’s not because the rating adjusters forgot about him. He was listed as a center fielder, but the Mets, with his skill set and arm strength, decided to move him over to right field. It has worked out nicely, he’s back to All-Star status after a five-year break.
Perhaps the one area gamers forget about when they improve in Road to the Show is their baserunning. Marte has maxed-out 99 scores in both stealing and baserunning aggressiveness. He marks smart choices on the basepaths and never says “no” to swiping a bag.
6 Hunter Renfroe - 85 OVR
In 2022, Hunter Renfroe will be in his fourth city in four years. Usually, that indicates the player is a journeyman. But Renfroe has been regarded as one of the best at his position for years; teams are just eager to pick up his contract via the trade more than most other players.
RELATED: MLB The Show 22:Best Teams
As the game evolves, right fielders don’t always have the classic attributes anymore. Not Renfroe, though, who has a rocket in his arm that warranted a 95 arms strength score. His power against lefties is unreal, putting him over the usual maximum and landing at a 105.
5 Kyle Tucker - 89 OVR
Kyle Tucker caught some bad breaks in 2021 when it comes to official hardware. Outside of losing the World Series, he was also close to getting an All-Star nomination, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove. Unfortunately, none of them panned out. This year, he’s already received his first All-Star nod, so things are looking up.
Tucker was not given extreme statistics (nothing is over 90), which may deceive some opponents. But besides bunting, Tucker has at least a 50 in every other category. Those stuck behind him on the Astros bench will need to either change positions or wait for a long time before seeing the field.
4 Mookie Betts - 96 OVR
Is there an award Mookie Betts hasn’t won? Is there a trophy he hasn’t hoisted? The World Series champ for two different organizations has more accolades than can reasonably be crammed into this paragraph. And he’s not even 30 years old.
RELATED: MLB The Show 22: Best Starting Pitchers
It would be tough to find a more complete player than Betts. On offense, he’s got above a 69 in every attribute outside of bunting. On defense, it’s even better at a 79 or higher. And his 62 or better on each of the baserunning scores rules out intentionally putting Betts on base.
3 Bryce Harper - 96 OVR
Last year’s MVP was on pace for another stellar season before a fractured thumb derailed him. Hopes are that he will come back at some point this year because the reeling Phillies could use him. All of Major League Baseball knows what he brings to the table.
He’s got above-average defense, a more-than-perfect 109 in clutch, and power against right-handers that should make them nervous to pitch him anything near the plate. Gamers will need to wear equipment to get close to these kinds of stats on their player.
2
1 Ronald Acuna Jr. - 97 OVR
Those that want to improve in Road to the Show should copy whatever Ronald Acuna Jr. is doing. Across seventeen total attributes, Acuna is 74 or better in all but three of them. And two of those are bunting. There are no doubters regarding how he’s been present at the last two All-Star games.
Don’t let his well-rounded game fool anybody into thinking he isn’t elite. He’s got 90+ scores in five categories, including an over-the-cap 100 in power against lefties. Opponents in the National League are not happy that he’s got such a bright future.
MLB The Show 22 is available now for Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PlayStation 5.
MORE: MLB The Show 22: Best Teams To Join As A Starting Pitcher
