The latest entry into the MLB The Show franchise was released in April 2021, with a few shiny new features. Along with a brand new pitching mechanic known as Pinpoint Pitching, players with a ninth-generation console can also create their own stadium. Additionally, the once-PlayStation exclusive has come to Xbox, including a day one release on Microsoft's Game Pass service.

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Although some sections of the gaming community have denounced modern sports games as glorified roster updates, it's hard to deny that the new rating reveals are exciting for fans of the sport. There are twelve players in the game with a rating of 95 or higher, including two familiar faces at the elusive 99 mark.

12 Juan Soto - 95

Left fielder Juan Soto is the first name on this list with an overall rating of 95, tying him with five other players. Along with his maxed-out DISC rating (plate discipline), Soto's standout attribute is clearly his 99 POW R stat. This makes him devastating against right-handed pitchers. Moreover, Soto's two Contact attributes of 92 and 91 give him excellent versatility.

Soto currently plays for the Washington Nationals. Fans know him for his so-called "Soto Shuffle."

11 Freddie Freeman - 95

Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman has the best Durability stat of any player on this list, with a near-perfect score of 97. His batting stats aren't the most balanced by any means, though his Contact rating against right-handed pitchers of 94 makes up for it.

Thus far, Freddie Freeman has played for the Braves his entire professional career. The team drafted him in the second round of the 2007 draft, at number 78 overall.

10 Shane Bieber - 95

Shane Bieber is the first of three pitchers to appear on this list. Bieber's Break stat is clearly his standout feature, while his 92 stamina is also very beneficial to his starting pitcher position. At just 25 years of age, Shane still has plenty of time to improve. It's not unlikely that he could find himself further up the ratings next year.

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Bieber was purchased by the Cleveland Indians in May 2018, and made his debut the same evening he was signed. He's become one of the best pitchers in the sport, winning the Cy Young Award for the 2020 season.

9 Manny Machado - 95

Manny Machado was highly regarded for many years before reaching the MLB, and was consequently drafted at the number three spot by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2010 MLB Draft. He debuted in 2012 and made the American League All-Star team the following year.

In February 2019, Machado signed an eye-watering $300 million, 10-year contract with the San Diego Padres. The whopping sum was the highest fee for a free agent in the history of American sports at the time. However, the record wouldn't stand for long, as the Phillies broke the record just days later to sign Bryce Harper.

8 Fernando Tatis Jr. - 95

Fernando Tatis Jr. is the cover star of MLB The Show 21, so will likely be hoping that the franchise's infamous "cover star curse" isn't real. The San Diego Padres shortstop is the youngest player on this list, as he was born a few months after fellow 22-year-old Juan Soto. Consequently, Fernando Tatis Jr. has a frighteningly high ceiling that could see him top the ratings of an MLB The Show game one day.

7 Clayton Kershaw - 95

Left-handed Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw is the final 95-rated player on this list. Kershaw was drafted as the number seven pick in the 2006 draft and has gone on to win a ton of accolades since. His honors include three Cy Young Award wins, eight All-Star appearances, and one National League Most Valuable Player award in 2014.

In addition to his sporting accomplishments, Kershaw is also well-respected for his charity work.

6 Christian Yelich - 96

The one and only 96-rated player in this year's iteration of MLB The Show is Christian Yelich. Christian is a nightmare for right-handed pitches, exemplified by his 92 Contact and 94 Power stats. Furthermore, his attributes against left-handed pitchers don't signify too much of a drop in quality. This makes Yelich one of MLB The Show's most well-rounded batters other than (spoiler alert) Mike Trout.

5 Aaron Judge - 97

It doesn't take a baseball expert to figure out what Aaron Judge's key skills are. This right fielder impressively has five different stats at 99, with his power rating against left-handed pitchers falling just a couple of points short.

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Judge's power-hitting has seen him break numerous records already in his career. This includes scoring an unbelievable 52 home runs in his rookie season, breaking the previous MLB rookie record of 49 set by Mark McGwire.

4 Mookie Betts - 98

Mookie Betts is up three points from his rating in MLB The Show 20, making him a contender for the top spot in next year's game. Along with his batting credentials, Betts is one of the best fielders in the game. This is not only because of his near-perfect stats, but also because he's comfortable at three different secondary positions, making him a valuable and versatile asset for any roster.

3 Nolan Arenado - 98

Although Nolan Arenado falls just short of Mike Trout's rating as the game's best batter, there's no denying that the 29-year-old is the best option to have when facing left-handed batters. Arenado is just three points shy of having both his Contact and Power stats against left-handed pitchers maxed out. Furthermore, his perfect strike zone covered in bright red is a sore sight for lefties.

2 Mike Trout - 99

Topping this list from a batting perspective is Mike Trout. This Angels center fielder is no stranger to 99 ratings, as MLB The Show 21 marks a three-game streak in which he has achieved the top mark. Trout was drafted at the number one spot in the 2009 draft, and was unanimously voted the American League's Rookie of the Year in 2012.

The now-29 year old certainly hasn't disappointed since he burst onto the scene, winning three AL MVP awards across his career thus far.

1 Jacob deGrom - 99

The joint highest-rated player and single highest-rated pitcher in MLB The Show 21 is the New York Mets' Jacob deGrom. Much like Mike Trout, he retains his 99 rating from last year's game. The starting pitcher wasn't selected until the ninth round of the 2010 MLB draft. However, he certainly made his name known in his debut season, winning the NL Rookie of the Year award.

Jacob deGrom is also a three-time All-Star, and has picked up two NL Cy Young Award wins.

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