MLB The Show 21 is finally available through Early Access, and players are already diving into the best Franchise Mode in sports gaming today.
All 30 teams have their pros and cons in Franchise Mode, and many players will want to choose their favorite in MLB The Show 21.
If you're looking for an edge in Franchise Mode, we've got all the details on the best overall, highest ranked, largest budget, pitching ratings, and more.
How are teams ranked in MLB The Show 21 Franchise Mode?
Unlike some previous years and other titles, teams in MLB The Show 21 aren't given an Overall Rating.
Instead, all 30 MLB teams are ranked from first to list in five categories that make up overall ranking.
Every MLB team is given a ranking for Contact, Power, Pitching, Defense, and Speed which is then factored into their total rank in MLB The Show 21 Franchise Mode.
These rankings are built based on the team's current roster and the attributes that their players have, and they may vary somewhat if you're using different rosters.
Best Overall Team
If you want the best of the best, it's no shocker that you'll be looking to last year's World Series Champions in the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers are ranked 1st Overall in MLB The Show 21 Franchise Mode, and they're dominating most other categories.
They're first in Contact and Pitching, second in Power and Defense, and ninth in Speed which is the only place this fantastic team is lacking.
Top 10 Highest Rated Teams
If you're not a fan of the Dodgers but still want to work with one of the top teams in MLB The Show 21, here are the top 10 from best to worst.
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- New York Yankees
- Atlanta Braves
- New York Mets
- Washington Nationals
- San Diego Padres
- Houston Astros
- Cleveland Indians
- Chicago White Sox
- Los Angeles Angels
Each team has their own strengths and weaknesses, such as the New York Mets which dominate in Contact, Power, and Pitching only to be abysmal in Defense and Speed.
Keep in mind which aspect you struggle with in-game, and that might help you make the call on which team will be your best choice.
Biggest Budget in Franchise Mode
If you're hoping to sign the absolute best in the league and create a dream Franchise, having the biggest budget can help with that.
On top of being the highest ranked team, the Los Angeles Dodgers also have the highest budget in MLB The Show 21 Franchise Mode.
Here are the top 10 team budgets in Franchise Mode:
- Los Angeles Dodgers, $306.5 Million
- New York Mets, $267.5 Million
- Los Angeles Angels, $236 Million
- Houston Astros, $229 Million
- New York Yankees, $228 Million
- Philadelphia Phillies, $213.5 Million
- Washington Nationals, $212.5 Million
- San Diego Padres, $208.5 Million
- Chicago Cubs, $198 Million
- Boston Red Sox, $195.5 Million
Money doesn't buy everything, but it'll definitely give you a leg up in Franchise Mode.
Best Pitching Team in MLB The Show 21
There's no doubt that having great pitchers can make a world of difference in MLB The Show 21, and certain teams excel in Franchise Mode where others don't.
The Los Angeles Dodgers again take the top spot here, but the rest of the top five round out some absolutely fantastic pitching options.
Here are the top five from best to worst:
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- New York Yankees
- Washington Nationals
- San Diego Padres
- New York Mets
As mentioned before, keep in mind the weaknesses the team may have that might keep their high pitching from being worthwhile.
Best Fielding in Franchise Mode
When it comes to defense, or fielding, this is the only category where the Los Angeles Dodgers aren't the top of the pack.
Instead, the New York Yankees sneak into the top spot, but the Dodgers and some other squads aren't far behind.
Here are the top five from best to worst:
- New York Yankees
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Oakland Athletics
- Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are more than capable, and you get the bonus of the Akron RubberDucks as a Double-A Minor League team.
Best Hitting and Batting Team in MLB The Show 21
When it comes to choosing the team with the best hitting that'll send your batting through the roof in Franchise Mode for MLB The Show 21, things get a little more complicated.
Two different categories factor into overall batting, and those are Contact and Power.
While the Los Angeles Dodgers (1st in Contact, 2nd in Power) and New York Mets (2nd in Contact, 4th in Power) are undeniable at the top, the rest of the top 10 is debatable.
Several teams are strong in one category but lack in the other, making it hard to decide who really fits the bill, but some stand out from the pack.
In no particular order, here are ten of the top batting clubs in MLB The Show 21 Franchise Mode:
- Los Angeles Dodgers (1st in Contact, 2nd in Power)
- New York Mets (2nd in Contact, 4th in Power)
- Atlanta Braves (7th in Contact, 3rd in Power)
- Los Angeles Angels (6th in Contact, 7th in Power)
- New York Yankees (10th in Contact, 1st in Power)
- Philadelphia Phillies (4th in Contact, 13th in Power)
- Cincinnati Reds (13th in Contact, 6th in Power)
- Houston Astros (3rd in Contact, 18th in Power)
- Washington Nationals (8th in Contact, 15th in Power)
- Chicago Cubs (15th in Contact, 8th in Power)
Deciding which of these teams is right for you in Franchise Mode could come down to where you struggle with batting.
If you struggle with actually hitting the ball, going with a top Contact team might be the right call, but if your batting is top-notch then opting for Power could be the perfect combo.