MLB The Show 22 ratings: Predicting the best starting pitchers

Gerrit Cole (New York Yankees) – 92 Overall

Of all the players on this list, I expect this to be the most controversial prediction. Gerrit Cole was long considered one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. But last year, the New York Yankees ace found himself embroiled in the “sticky stuff” controversy.

Prior to MLB’s crackdown on the use of sticky substances on the mound, Cole pitched like an ace, posting a 2.26 ERA with only 11 walks and six home runs in 75.2 innings pitched. But after the crackdown, Cole saw his effectiveness wane. His stats ballooned and Cole posted a 3.92 ERA while surrendered 19 home runs and 30 walks in 105.2 innings across 18 starts.

In the end, Cole finished the 2021 season with a 16-8 record and 3.23 ERA over 181 innings pitched. Cole had been one of the best starting pitchers in all of baseball during his time in Houston. And his career with the Yankees started off just as well in 2020.

It’s so hard to gauge just how much of a role sticky substances played in Cole’s success on the mound. In August, well after the crackdown, Cole put up his best numbers of the season. In three starts (17.2 innings), he compiled a 0.51 ERA, allowing just one run and four walks to 24 strikeouts. Perhaps the stick substance was more of a mental block than physical.

For now, I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. He finished last season with a 92 overall rating in MLB The Show 21, so clearly Sony San Diego has some faith in him as a top starting pitcher. I think he’ll begin the season with a similar rating which shouldn’t shift much until we see a few starts from him.

Do you agree with the potential five best starting pitchers in MLB The Show 22? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!