OOTP 23is one of the most realistic sports video games ever created, with the abilityto simulate an MLB seasonin astonishing detail. The game has a graphical mode to show how a game unfolds, but its main appeal is among fantasy baseball fans who strive to assemble championship franchises. There are numerous ways to playOOTP 23, from taking over an MLB organization in its current state to drafting new teams using a complete talent pool.
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Theplayer ratings and statistics inOOTP 23are exceptionally complex, which can cause headaches when deciding which players to sign or trade for. Each player has overall ratings for their current abilities and for their potential growth, but determining which players are the right fit for a team requires a bit more studying. With a recent roster update available on the officialOOTP23 forums, players can use the game to predict which players will have MVP-caliber seasons or become the next breakout MLB star in 2023. The following 10 players stand the best chance of leading anOOTP 23team to a world series title.
10Roki Sasaki
One of the uniqueOOTP 23features that other baseball video games lack is the ability to scout and potentially sign players from international leagues. One of themost promising Japanese playersin theOOTP 23database is Rosi Sasaki, a fireball-throwing 21-year-old pitcher. Sasaki has already achieved some remarkable accomplishments including tying a Nippon Professional Baseball League record for 13 consecutive strikeouts.
InOOTP 23, Sasaki has a potential rating of 80, and with his physical attributes, it’s easy to see why. His blistering fastball at 98.4 mph which is fast as ever recorded in NPB, is already rated at 7, with his command and forkball having some room for improvement. Although he is currently rated at only 55, he has as high a ceiling as any prospect inOOTP 23.
9Oneil Cruz
As a 6'7" shortstop, Oneil Cruz is worth paying to watch play in person, even with the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates seemingly confined to the basement of the NL Central standings. At 24, Cruz' talent is still on the raw side, but with unorthodox size for his position, he has caught the eye of MLB scouts and executives.
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Cruz notched 17 home runs in 331 ABs in 2022, andOOTP 23projects his power to increase to a maximum level. If Cruz can refine his plate discipline, his plus slugging and speed can make him one of thetop shortstops in the coming seasons.
8Fernando Tatis Jr.
MLB The Show 21cover athlete Fernando Tatis Jr.is coming off a tumultuous season after his 80-game suspension for using a banned substance, even before returning from a prolonged injury. Nevertheless, he remains one of the bestOOTP 23players with elite power and speed ratings.
Tatis Jr. is on a long-term high-dollar contract, but particularly in a fantasy league, other human players are now tempted to dump him because of his tattered reputation. Despite the risks, Tatis Jr. still has the talent to serve as a cornerstone player for any franchise inOOTP 23.
7Julio Rodriguez
One of thebreakout MLB stars in 2022 was the Mariners' center fielder Julio Rodriguez, who hit .284 with 28 home runs and 25 stolen bases at only 22 years of age. Rodriguez was recently a highly-ranked prospect, but he already can serve as a middle-of-the-order hitter for most MLB teams.
InOOTP 23, he still has the ability to increase his power and contact ratings, making him a scary proposition for opposing pitchers to face in the years to come. With his combination of power and athletic ability, Julio Rodriguez is easily one of the bestOOTP 23players and top defensive outfielders.
6Emmanuel Clase
It’s difficult to comprehend a pitcher who has already posted ERAs of 1.29 and 1.36 in the last 2 seasons, having the potential to get better. Emmanuel Clase, the Cleveland Guardians' closer, showed the world his abilities whenstriking out the side to secure the AL’s 3-2 win in the 2022 All-Star Game.
Clase is known for his 100 mph cutting fastball, but inOOTP 23, his cutter, movement, and command all have the chance to improve. With the importance of the bullpen in today’s game, when building a team, Clase at age 24 is ready to anchor any relief core.
5Juan Soto
As the struggling Washington Nationals looked to avoid making an enormous financial investment in Juan Soto, they eventually traded him to the Padres in one of the most anticipated 2022 deadline deals. With less than 30 home runs in all but one season so far, there is the potential for the 24-year-oldJuan Soto to reach new levels of dominance.
One of the most helpfulOOTP 23tips is to look for players that have a discerning batting eye and get on base at a high rate. Despite hitting only .242 last season, Soto has shown the ability to reach base with regularity proven by his nearly .400 on-base percentage.
4Ronald Acuna Jr.
The Braves' outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. returned in 2022 after a serious torn ACL injury suffered in the previous year. Acuna Jr. struggled to find the consistent form he displayed prior to the injury but hit at a .333 clip during the Braves' playoff run. All signs point to a healthy Acuna Jr. reestablishing himself as one of the best young players in baseball in 2023.
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One of Acuna Jr.’s best attributes is his speed and base-stealing ability, but he also shows top-tier gap power that leads to a high rate of doubles and triples. The in-gameOOTP 23scout sees Acuna Jr. as having the potential to improve his defense, mainly when utilized in left or right field.
3Mike Trout
One of the most surprising aspects of the 2022 MLB season, was the pessimism surrounding the 3-time AL MVP, Mike Trout. News came to light thatTrout had costovertebral dysfunction, a chronic back condition that has caused other athletes to struggle if not retire. Regardless, Mike Trout hit 40 home runs in 2022, in less than a full season’s worth of ABs.
All indications are that Mike Trout feels perfectly healthy now, and he remains one of the bestOOTP 23players with his all-around abilities. Trout has the plate discipline to serve as a leadoff hitter or the production to bat cleanup, making him an obvious target for anyOOTP 23player.
2Aaron Judge
Another great part ofOOTP 23, is the ability to reshape the course of MLB offseasons. After much anxiety among Yankee fans,top-ranked right fielder Aaron Judgeagreed to a 9-year 360 million dollar deal, though he nearly left the Bronx for various rumored destinations like the San Francisco Giants. InOOTP 23, after finishing a 2022 season, players can try their hand at luring the 6'7" right fielder to their franchise.
InOOTP 23, Aaron Judge has a rarely-seen 8 rating for homerun power, and a surprising ability to avoid strikeouts. Judge’s batting eye allows him to effectively bat leadoff and is a versatile option as a cornerstone player for any MLB team.
1Shohei Ohtani
With 34 home runs as an outfielder and a 2.33 era with over 200 strikeouts as a pitcher, in 2022Ohtani once again set a new bar for a 2-way baseball player. Many baseball video games have struggled with rules that would allow a player like Ohtani to both pitch and hit, but fortunately one of theOOTP 23features will enable pitchers to bat as DHs.
InOOTP 23, there is very little theMLB The Show 22cover athlete Ohtanidoes not do well, with elite power, base-stealing ability, and an 8 rating for pitching stuff, meaning he has some of the filthiest pitches in the game. When drafting a new team inOOTP 23, Ohtani is a no-brainer number one pick with his ability to impact the game in multiple ways.
Out of the Park Baseball 23is available on Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, and Macintosh operating systems.
