Chicago Cubs: Who is the highest rated Cub in MLB The Show 17?

Initial Ratings

Whenever a sports game is released, people hound the internet ahead of time to check out the ratings of their favorite teams and or players. If you just so happened to click on this article for that reason, I have some numbers for you.

According to Sporting News, Jake Arrieta, Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks Ben Zobrist, and Wade Davis are the highest rated Cubs in the upcoming video game.

Our reigning MVP, Kris Bryant, holds the highest rating at his position along with former Cubs’ prospect, Josh Donaldson. Both men sit with a red-hot 94 overall following a year in which they combined for 76 home runs, 211 RBI, and 340 hits.

Continued

Insane numbers which helped lead their clubs to the postseason. Next to Bryant’s 94 overall is Jake Arrieta and his 92. Arrieta pitched his second career no-hitter in 2016 but battled consistency issues.

However, Arrieta flirted with history, again, only this time during the World Series while visiting the Cleveland Indians. Although his postseason ERA was 3.63, Jake was still an important part of Chicago’s historic run.

Same goes for Jon Lester who holds the ninth-best rating for starting pitchers with 90. Lester was co-LCS MVP along with Javier Baez. He ended 2016 with a record of 19-5 and an ERA of 2.44 — his best since his brief stint with the Oakland Athletics in 2014.

When it was time for him to take the mound in October, Lester was absolute lights out. In six appearances (five starts), Lester held opposing teams to eight runs on 27 hits in 35 2/3 innings of work. Once Game 7 concluded, his record stood at 3-1 with an ERA a little above two.

Bullpen Ratings

Next up is new closer, Wade Davis. Davis was acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Royals for outfielder Jorge Soler during the offseason. Soler never really blossomed with the Cubs as he battled with multiple injuries, so a move made sense.

Considering the fact that Aroldis Chapman ran back to the New York Yankees, Chicago was in need of a closer. Wade’s 91 overall is the fourth highest in the game among closers behind Kenley Jansen (95), Zach Britton (92), and Chapman (92).

A few other Cubs’ relievers sit at or under the 84 mark. Those men being Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon at 84 and former Red Sox closer, Koji Uehara at 83.

World Series MVP and company

Last but not least, you have some of the other heroes of the postseason, Zobrist, the World Series MVP, drove in the go-ahead run after a short rain delay in Game 7. Meanwhile, his back-up, Javier Baez, launched a home run earlier on when Chicago had a comfortable lead.

Ben sits a few slots ahead of Baez with an 85 overall while the young Puerto Rican star ties Starlin Castro at 81. First baseman and original piece of this puzzle, Anthony Rizzo, holds a solid 89 overall which may seem a little low.

Gold Gloves

Rizzo is a serious contender to win National League MVP honors this year but took home multiple awards in 2016. Including a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, and Platinum Glove honors.

Speaking of Gold Gloves, Jason Heyward continued to dominate right field when it came to that specific award. However, his rating is 78 in the game which is pretty much due to his lack of offensive production in 2016.

Had he hit 20 or so home runs while driving in say, around 70 RBI, he could be sitting in the middle of the pack. But who knows. Even Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Bautista failed to reach the 90’s as Bryce Harper and Mookie Betts were the only two to do so.

The Professor

There is no doubt Kyle Hendricks is the future of this starting rotation. The 27-year-old right-hander has continued to improve over the years. Despite hitting a slight bump in 2015, Kyle stood out from the rest of the rotation.

Not because of his velocity but his command and how he was able to get the best of opposing hitters. His strikeouts increased from 47, 167 up to 170 in 2016 while holding the league’s lowest ERA of 2.13.

Hendricks carried over his dominance to the postseason as his only loss came in a pitching classic against Clayton Kershaw. Someone who missed a significant amount of time due to a back injury.

Despite the loss, Hendricks remained strong. Joe Maddon‘s young workhorse cruised through lineups, yielding only four earned runs over 25 1/3 innings. You can expect bigger and better things from him in 2017.

Next: Lester, Contreras relationship crucial

Well, there you have it. But before we part ways, just know that these overalls will either increase or decrease based on their performance throughout the regular season. That is one of the best features about these new video games. The fact that they are able to make adjustments for each roster update makes the experience even better.

Who knows, Baez could jump up to an 85 or even Addison Russell, Kyle Schwarber, Willson Contreras could see themselves at the top of the list as well. Either way, I can’t wait until I get my hands on this game.