The dark days of winter are here. The World Series is just a memory now, though a fond one to the fans in Washington DC.
But that doesn't mean there is nothing to look forward to for baseball fans in the coming months.
With the massive free agent signing of Gerrit Cole wrapped up, the Yankees look like the favorites for the title in 2020.
Before that though, there is the little matter of MLB The Show 20.
Dropping on March 17, 2020, The 15th anniversary of The Show looks set to be a good one, with Cubs wizard Javier Baez on the cover.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about MLB The Show 20
The question a lot of fans have ahead of any big sports release is who will be the top-rated players.
Here's who we think should be top of the rankings for MLB The Show 20.
Mike Trout, CF, Los Angeles Angels
2019 launch rating: 99 OVR
2020 prediction: 99 OVR
The Angels star picked up his third AL MVP award in 2019 after another stellar season in the outfield and at the plate.
Trout mashed a massive 45 homers along with a .291/.438/.645 slash line and 11 steals. He was a massive plus on the basepaths and led all hitters in WAR per Fangraphs.
After a 99 OVR last year there isn't any chance the AL MVP drops in 2020. Expect him to be the best player in the game once again.
Nolan Arenado, 3B, Colorado Rockies
CRUSHING: Arenado was a beast at the plate in 2019
2019 launch rating: 99
2020 prediction: 98
The Rockies third baseman had another big season in 2019. His 41 homers were good for fifth in the National League, as was his .315 average. He also took home his seventh Golden Glove award.
READ MORE: 5 improvements we want to see for MLB The Show 20
As a true threat in the field and at the plate, Arenado should be among the absolute best hitters in MLB The Show 20, especially against left-handed pitching.
Christian Yelich, RF, Milwaukee Brewers
2019 launch rating: 90
2020 prediction: 97
MLB The Show 19's ratings team hedged their bets a little with Christian Yelich last year. They can't now.
While Yelich failed to defend his 2018 NL MVP crown he came damn close, hitting 44 homers with a National League-best .329 average, .429 on-base, and MLB-best .671 slugging. Yelich also stole 30 bases
Jacob deGrom, SP, New York Mets
LIGHTS OUT: deGrom is aiming for a third-straight Cy Young in 2020
2019 launch rating: 96
2020 prediction: 98
Jacob deGrom retained his NL Cy Young award in 2019 after another stellar campaign. His 2.43 ERA was second-best in all of baseball, while his 255 strikeouts and 0.97 WHIP were fourth & third in MLB respectively.
READ MORE: All the best Christmas deals for gamers
The Mets ace started The Show 19 with a 96 OVR behind Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer, but I expect him to be the #1 starting pitcher in the new game.
Gerrit Cole, SP, New York Yankees
2019 launch rating: 90
2020 prediction: 94
You don't make a big-money move to the New York Yankees without receiving a ratings boost. Gerrit Cole had a monster 2019, amassing an MLB-best 326 strikeouts with stellar 2.50 ERA and 0.89 WHIP.
Cole's nine-year/$324 million deal may turn the tide for the Yankees in their quest for ring #28, but it is his performances on the mound in 2019 that should mean his rating jumps in The Show 20.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Elder Scrolls 6
MLB The Show 19 was a quality game, but that doesn't mean it was perfect. There are few tweaks and improvements that RealSport and the MLB community would like to see. From a tighter hitting window to the ability to create and expansion franchise, you can read more about them here.
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!
MLB The Show