Now that we're more than halfway done with the MLB season, it's time to take a look at some theme teams in MLB The Show 22. We've got a few 99s so far, so let's get these theme teams started.
As more players are released, the team will change. But this is the best team available as of now.
Before we start, let's go over some of the guidelines we'll use:
- At least two current active players
- In order to qualify for the team, the player must have played at least one 50 games with the team, or Future Stars cards
- The player's card can be of a different team, as long as they played for the specific theme team at some point
- The team will consist of eight position players and three pitchers, one starter and two relievers
- No secondary positions, only primary positions
MLB The Show 22 Yankees Theme Team
For our very first theme team article, we're going to take a look at the best possible theme team for the New York Yankees.
Catcher - Topps Now Jose Trevino #39
For the catcher, we could have gone with either Trevino or 91 overall Jorge Posada, but we choose Trevino. Trevino has better all-around hitting stats and better defense than Posada. So our catcher is 90 overall Topps Now Jose Trevino.
First Baseman - 1985 All-Star Don Mattingly #23
For the first base, Mattingly was our choice. The second option was April POTM Anthony Rizzo, but Mattingly has better contact and defensive stats. So our first basemen is 94 overall 1985 All-Star Don Mattingly.
Second Baseman - 2019 All-Star DJ LeMahieu #36
DJ LeMahieu was the clear choice for second base. No other player was near his overall. LeMahieu has great all-around stats, with slightly lower power stats, but that's okay. So for second base, we choose 90 overall, 2019 All-Star DJ LeMahieu.
Third Baseman - August 2019 POTM Gio Urshela #29
Just like LeMahieu, there was no card close in overall to Urshela. Urshela has great contact against both sides and has above-average power too. 90 overall August 2019 POTM Gio Urshela is our Yankee third basemen.
Shortstop - Future Stars Oswald Peraza #91
Now is where the lineup really starts to shine. 95 Future Stars Oswald Peraza is our clear choice for shortstop. He has great all-around stats, he can field and he can run.
Left Field - All-Star MVP Giancarlo Stanton #27
This was our easiest choice for the entire team because Giancarlo Stanton is the only 99 overall Yankee. He can hit for contact and he can launch the ball. All-Star MVP Stanton was the clear choice for left field.
Center Field - All-Star Aaron Judge #99
In center, is the current American League MVP favorite, Aaron Judge. Judge's contact stats are a little lower, but his defense and power numbers are through the roof. 97 overall All-Star Aaron Judge is our choice to play center field.
Right Field - July 2022 POTM Matt Carpenter #24
Our last hitter is actually the newest card added into MLB The Show. In July of 2022, Matt Carpenter raked, and his card accurately shows that. He has 100+ stats in all hitting categories. He has below-average fielding but that's fine, he can still catch a fly ball. This was actually the most difficult choice between Carpenter and Babe Ruth, but we went with the 97 overall July POTM Carpenter for our squad.
Starting Pitcher - Signature Mike Mussina #35
Mike Mussina was another clear favorite for this position. The next best card is nine overall points away. Mussina won't overpower you, but he will carve up batters with ease.
Relief Pitcher - 2017 Second Half Chad Green
Chad Green marks our first of two relievers on the Yankee theme team. His 94 overall 2017 Second Half card is a great reliever out of the pen.
Closing Pitcher - 1981 All-Star Rich "Goose" Gossage
And now for our last card. 1981 All-Star Goose Gossage. Goose was on many teams but is most known for his time in New York. His All-Star card is great and is sure to shut teams out in the ninth inning.
Batting Order
- Oswald Peraza
- Aaron Judge
- Matt Carpenter
- Giancarlo Stanton
- Don Mattingly
- Gio Urshela
- DJ LeMahieu
- Jose Trevino
- Mike Mussina
As a reminder, these are our guidelines for the Yankees Theme Team. Slotting Takashi Okazaki Ruth in a secondary position works fine as well for those wanting to slot him in under their own guidelines.
This article was originally published on dbltap as MLB The Show 22 Yankees Theme Team.