MLB The Show 21 ratings: Predicting the best shortstops

With the release of MLB The Show 21 coming in April and the start of Spring Training right around the corner, we’re eager to get a jump on this year’s player ratings. After predicting the game’s best starting pitchers, we now turn our attention towards shortstops.

This year’s cover athlete for MLB The Show 21 is no other than Fernando Tatis Jr., one of the game’s brightest young stars who also just signed a massive 14-year deal worth $340 million. Tatis Jr. is one of the game’s most exciting players but the shortstop position is filled with tons of talent including Gleyber Torres, Xander Bogaerts, Francisco Lindor, Trevor Story and more.

Where will they all rank when MLB The Show 21 comes out? Let the predictions begin!

1. Fernando Tatis Jr.

Fernando Tatis Jr. hasn’t played a full year in the Majors. Even in his two seasons combined, he’s only played in 143 games. But in that time span, he has put together an impressive batting resume, hitting .301 with 39 home runs and 98 RBIs.

His .317 average in 84 games in his rookie season in 2019 would’ve placed him atop the league among shortstops. And even only playing in 84 games, his 22 home runs that season was 8th best.

I don’t think Fernando Tatis Jr. is the best shortstop in the Majors just yet, but he’s on his way to be. I think he gets a slight boost from being the cover star and if Sony San Diego Studio is basing their ratings on what the future could hold, he could be the best-rated shortstop in the game this year.

In MLB The Show 20, Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez (also the cover athlete for the game) was given the highest rating among his peers (93 overall). Despite being one of the most entertaining players, I didn’t think he was one of the best at the position. Fernando Tatis Jr. can at least make that case.

Rating prediction: 93 overall