MLB The Show 20: Minnesota Twins player rating predictions - Josh Donaldson, Eddie Rosario, Nelson Cruz & more


It is only a few weeks until pitchers and catchers around the MLB report for Spring Training and that means the 2020 MLB season is fast approaching.

Add to the fact MLB The Show 20 is just seven weeks away, and the first gameplay trailer has dropped, and excitement around the MLB is sky high.

For Minnesota Twins fans it may be especially high. A year after going 78-84, the Twins went 101-61 and scored a franchise record 939 runs. They may have been dispatched in the ALDS, 3-0 by the New York Yankees, but expectations can be even higher for 2020.

Coming off a poorer season, the Twins weren’t that highly rated at the launch of MLB The Show 19, but how will they look in The Show 20?

Josh Donaldson, 3B

donaldson-twins-mlb-the-show
click to enlarge
+ 5

NEW DIGS: Donaldson is joining one of the most feared lineups in baseball

2019
launch rating: 87

2020
prediction: 87

Donaldson was one of a few big ticket free agents this offseason. The Atlanta Braves were keen to re-sign him, and the reigning champion Washington Nationals sorely wanted his services. The Twins won the race, and in doing so completed one of the most devastating starting lineups in baseball.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about MLB The Show 20

Donaldson brings even more power into the
Twins’ lineup, and though he’ll be 34 he remains one of the more dangerous
hitters in baseball, so should see his ratings stay pretty steady.

Eddie Rosario, LF

rosario-twins-mlb-the-show
click to enlarge
+ 5

SWING: The Twins are going bombs away in 2020

2019
launch rating: 84

2020
prediction: 86

Rosario was a big part of the Twins
turnaround from 2018 to 2019. The outfielder followed up a very good 2018
season with a better one. He hit 32 homers, up eight, with 109 RBI, up 32, at a
.276 average.

He finished the season rated 88 overall,
and while he’ll slip from that rating in 2020 due to form, he should see a bump
from his 2019 starting rating.

Taylor Rogers, CP

rogers-twins-mlb-the-show
click to enlarge
+ 5

SHUTDOWN: Rogers put an end to many games in 2019

2019
launch rating: 82

2020
prediction: 85

Rogers was a vital part of the 2019 Twins. While they were able to score lots of runs, closing out games was as important as ever and Rogers was very good at doing so. He made 60 appearances, had 30 saves and a 2.61 ERA while striking out 90 batters in 69 innings pitched.

READ MORE: Boston Red Sox player rating predictions

He was a big riser through the 2019 season,
going from 82 OVR to 87 OVR (second highest on the team) by the end of the
season. I’d expect him to drop a little but remain one of the best players on
the roster.

Jake Odorizzi, SP

odorizzi-twins-mlb-the-show
click to enlarge
+ 5

ACE: Odorizzi was an All-Star in 2019

2019
launch rating: 75

2020
prediction: 84

While it was the Twins’ bats that took the
headlines in 2019, and it is setting up to be the same in 2020, their starting
pitchers must not be overlooked. Odorizzi has been a steady starter for years,
but in 2019 he turned in an All-Star year with a 3.51 ERA, 15 wins and 178
strikeouts.

As a result, while he’ll slip from his 86
OVR The Show 19 end rating, he should see a significant boost from his 2019
starting rating, in doing so making him a very good SP in The Show 20.

Jose Berrios, SP

berrios-twins-mlb-the-show
click to enlarge
+ 5

BACK-TO-BACK: Berrios made his second consecutive All-Star game last year

2019
launch rating: 82

2020
prediction: 83

With the aforementioned focus on the bats in Minnesota, it may be surprising to see another pitcher, making it three of the top five, but Berrios deserves this spot.

READ MORE: Philadelphia Phillies player rating predictions

It is easier being a starting pitcher when
your team scores 5.8 runs per game, but his 14 wins, 3.68 ERA and second
straight All-Star game should keep him firmly in the 80s OVR.

Minnesota Twins MLB The Show 20 ratings
predictions

Player
Position
2019 launch rating
2020 prediction
Nelson Cruz
RF/DH
83
83
Mitch Garver
C
65
82
Byron Buxton
CF
77
82
Miguel Sano
3B
76
82
Max Kepler
RF
71
81
Jorge Polanco
SS
71
77
Luis Arraez
2B
66
75

NOW
WATCH BELOW: The MLB The Show 20 gameplay trailer

For more articles like this, take a look at our MLB The Show page.