The top five Diamond Dynasty players at every position were revealed today on San Diego Studio’s stream for MLB The Show 20. As a reminder before we get to the players, the card arts for certain players won’t be updated until they play for their new teams. In addition, the ratings for Diamond Dynasty are different than the ones for other modes. So while Mike Trout has one rating in Diamond Dynasty, he will have a 99 overall rating in the main game. On top of that, certain players will probably have a primary position change (guys like Cody Bellinger and Gleyber Torres), but until they officially play at those positions, they will retain their original primary position.
(Just a note, the developers also said 60 overall in a category is basically the MLB average.)
Some other tidbits from OS forum user Cycloniac:
- Hitting ratings verus righties are weighed more heavily than versus lefties in overall calculation
- Players in secondary positions take 5 percent hit at reaction, fielding and arm accuracy
- SDS uses a three year average with a 1:1:1 ratio when calculating ratings for the release day roster. After Opening Day, the ongoing season begins to have more weight to help the game mimic more what’s going on right now in the real MLB.
- There is continued emphasis on advanced metrics in their ratings calculations — we think this is the second year of this emphasis.
- Pitch framing metrics are taken into account for catchers. It appears those calculations are factored into the fielding attribute.
Top Five Right Fielders in Diamond Dynasty
- Cody Bellinger (90 overall)
- Christian Yelich (89)
- Mookie Betts (89)
- Aaron Judge (88) — the best Live series defensive outfielder in the game
- Bryce Harper (85)
This is probably the most loaded position in the game in terms of top-end talent in Diamond Dynasty. All five of these players will be diamonds out of the gate, and only third base has the same appeal among the position players. In addition, Mookie Betts or Cody Bellinger (probably Bellinger) will be moving to a new outfield position, which will become his primary once he gets some innings at it.
Top Five Center Fielders in Diamond Dynasty
- Mike Trout (95) — the best starting rating for a Live series player ever
- Ronald Acuna Jr. (89)
- Ketel Marte (86)
- George Springer (85)
- Starling Marte (83)
Again, Ketel Marte or Starling Marte will change positions at some point (probably Ketel) so one of these Diamondbacks will have a new primary position after it all shakes out. Mike Trout at 95 overall is far and away the best Live series player out of the gate.
Top 5 RF #MLBTheShow20
5. Bryce Harper (85) #Phillies
4. Aaron Judge (88) #Yankees — best defensive outfielder in the game
3. Mookie Betts (89) #Dodgers
2. Christian Yelich (89) #Brewers
1. Cody Bellinger (90) #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/Yp3AmSChKj— Operation Sports (@OperationSports) February 20, 2020
Top Five Left Fielders in Diamond Dynasty
- J.D. Martinez (84)
- Giancarlo Stanton (84)
- Juan Soto (83)
- Joey Gallo (83)
- Tommy Pham (82)
This is the only position in the game that will not have a diamond Live series player on day one.
Top 5 Shortstops in Diamond Dynasty
- Francisco Lindor (87)
- Javier Baez (86)
- Trevor Story (85)
- Xander Bogaerts (83)
- Marcus Semien (83)
Top 5 LF #MLBTheShow20 — only position without a diamond
5. Tommy Pham (82) #Padres
4. Joey Gallo (83) #Rangers
3. Juan Soto (83) #Nationals
2. Giancarlo Stanton (84) #Yankees
1. J.D. Martinez (84) #RedSox pic.twitter.com/21iZldwjfk— Operation Sports (@OperationSports) February 20, 2020
Top Five 3B In Diamond Dynasty
- Nolan Arenado (91)
- Anthony Rendon (88)
- Alex Bregman (87)
- Matt Chapman (85) — He has the best infield defense among the Live series cards
- Jose Ramirez (85)
Third base is the other all-diamond top five. It’s another stacked position, and Matt Chapman does have the best infield defense among all Live series players to start the year.
Top 5 3B #MLBTheShow20
5. Jose Ramirez (85)
4. Matt Chapman (85) – Best IF defense in Live series #Athletics
3. Alex Bregman (87) #Astros
2. Anthony Rendon (88) #Angels
1. Nolan Arenado (91) #Rockies pic.twitter.com/5idSw7GzBb— Operation Sports (@OperationSports) February 20, 2020
Top Five 2B in Diamond Dynasty
- Jose Altuve (85)
- D.J. LeMahieu (84)
- Ozzie Albies (83)
- Jeff McNeil (83)
- Gleyber Torres (82)
This is the same deal as a couple other spots as Gleyber Torres will probably switch positions and get a new primary defensive position once he plays some real games at it.
Top Five 1B in Diamond Dynasty
- Freddie Freeman (87)
- Pete Alonso (85)
- Paul Goldschmidt (83)
- Matt Olson (83)
- Anthony Rizzo (83)
Top 5 2B #MLBTheShow20
5. Gleyber Torres (82) #Yankees
4. Jeff McNeil (83) #Mets
3. Ozzie Albies (83) #Braves
2. D.J. LeMahieu (84) #Yankees
1. Jose Altuve (85) #Astros pic.twitter.com/DTpDpzG4FF— Operation Sports (@OperationSports) February 20, 2020
Top Five Catchers in Diamond Dynasty
- J.T. Realmuto (85)
- Yasmani Grandal (82)
- Willson Contreras (81)
- Gary Sanchez (80)
- Mitch Garver (80)
Top Five Relief Pitchers in Diamond Dynasty
- Josh Hader (88)
- Kirby Yates (87)
- Aroldis Chapman (85)
- Ken Giles (84)
- Liam Hendriks (83)
Top 5 catchers #MLBTheShow20
5. Mitch Garver (80) — has common defense
4. Gary Sanchez (80)
3. Willson Contreras (81)
2. Yasmani Grandal (82)
1. J.T. Realmuto (85) pic.twitter.com/CCCaBraFtP— Operation Sports (@OperationSports) February 20, 2020
Top Five Starting Pitchers in Diamond Dynasty
- Jacob deGrom (92)
- Max Scherzer (92)
- Gerrit Cole (90)
- Justin Verlander (90)
- Chris Sale (88)
There are other diamond starting pitchers not listed because the developers only showed the top five. It sounds like there are at least 8-10 starting pitchers total who are at least 85 overall or above.
#MLBtheshow20 Top 5 SPs:
5. Sale (88 overall)
4. Verlander (90)
3. Cole (90) — he will get new card art
2. Scherzer (92)
1. De Grom (92) pic.twitter.com/C92QxWmvYp— Operation Sports (@OperationSports) February 20, 2020
