The Out of the Park Baseball video game series has long been praised for its ultra-realistic simulation engine. Part of what makes that up are the player ratings, and OOTP features an enormous number of categories to help define each player and have them produce at their expected rates from a single at-bat, to a full season or entire career.
Rather than looking at just who is at the top of the league in the Overall Rating, which inevitably means lumping all the players together who any MLB fan would expect to be there, Out of the Park Developments has provided Sporting News with all the ratings broken down by specific skill categories. Here are the most intriguing ones, with the top 10 players in each ranked in order of their rating.
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Top Power Hitters
Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
Bryce Harper, Nationals
Chris Davis, Orioles
David Ortiz, Red Sox
Chris Carter, Brewers
Lucas Duda, Mets
Nelson Cruz, Mariners
J.D. Martinez, Tigers
Mike Trout, Angels
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
Top Contact Hitters
Jose Altuve, Astros
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
Michael Brantley, Indians
Ben Revere, Nationals
David Peralta, Diamondbacks
Buster Posey, Giants
Bryce Harper, Nationals
Ketel Marte, Mariners
Dee Gordon, Marlins
Manny Machado, Orioles
Top Gap Hitters
Ben Zobrist, Cubs
Eduardo Escobar, Twins
A.J. Pollock, Diamondbacks
Mike Trout, Angels
Nick Castellanos, Tigers
Johan Mieses, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Jason Kipnis, Indians
Seth Smith, Mariners
Max Kepler, Twins
Corey Seager, Dodgers
Top Base Stealers
Jarrod Dyson, Royals
Billy Hamilton, Reds
Terrance Gore, Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Rafael Bautista, Harrisburg Senators
Dee Gordon, Marlins
Delino DeShields Jr., Rangers
Juan Circiao, Hartford Yard Goats
John Andreoli, Iowa Cubs
Antoan Richardson, Indianapolis Indians
Tyler Saladino, White Sox
Top Control Pitchers
Phil Hughes, Twins
Jorge Ortega, Brevard County Manatees
Zach Lee, Dodgers
Seth Maness, Cardinals
Bartolo Colon, Mets
Ryan Weber, Gwinnett Braves
Koji Uehara, Red Sox
Josh Tomlin, Indians
Aaron Nola, Phillies
Rick Porcello, Red Sox
Top Movement Pitchers
Trevor Rosenthal, Cardinals
Zach Britton, Orioles
Jeremy Jeffress, Brewers
Tony Watson, Pirates
Jared Hughes, Pirates
John Holdzkom, Indianapolis Indians
Matt Grace, Syracuse Chiefs
Sammy Solis, Syracuse Chiefs
Ken Giles, Astros
Jake Arrieta, Cubs
Top Stuff Pitchers
Sean Doolittle, Athletics
Kenley Janson, Dodgers
Cody Allen, Indians
Carter Capps, Marlins
Andrew Miller, Yankees
Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox
Dellin Betances, Yankees
Aroldis Chapman, Yankees
Jon Edwards, El Paso Chihuahuas
Ray Black, Sacramento River Cats
Top Infield Range
Jose Iglesias, Tigers
Andrelton Simmons, Angels
Francisco Lindor, Indians
Cristhian Adames, Rockies
Ehire Adrianza, Giants
Clint Barmes, Royals
Zack Cozart, Reds
Ketel Marte, Mariners
Andres Blanco, Phillies
Manny Machado, Orioles
Top Infield Arms
Andrelton Simmons, Angels
Manny Machado, Orioles
Didi Gregorious, Yankees
Alexei Ramirez, Padres
Troy Tulowitzki, Blue Jays
Jurickson Profar, Rangers
Adrian Beltre, Rangers
Alcides Escobar, Royals
Nolan Arenado, Rockies
Evan Longoria, Rays
Top Outfield Range
Kevin Kiermaier, Rays
Alex Gordon, Royals
Juan Lagares, Mets
Jackie Bradley Jr., Red Sox
Jarrod Dyson, Royals
Jason Heyward, Cubs
Max Kepler, Twins
Lorenzo Cain, Royals
Peter Bourjos, Phillies
Billy Hamilton, Reds
Top Outfield Arms
Yoenis Cespedes, Mets
Alex Gordon, Royals
Yasiel Puig, Dodgers
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
Jorge Soler, Cubs
Juan Lagares, Mets
Nate Schierholtz, Tigers
Stephen Piscotty, Cardinals
Adam Jones, Orioles
Anthony Gose, Tigers
Out of the Park Baseball 17 is available for pre-order now, and those who do so by March 18 will be included in the early beta which runs from that day until the official release on March 22. New features include the MLBPA license, historic minor leagues with the roster of real players going back all the way to 1919, and a Historic Exhibition Mode that allows for two teams from any year to face each other in a single game or series.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, has co-founded the new site HitThePass.com, hosts the Press Row Podcast, and be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.