How to Play WBC in MLB The Show 23? A Complete Guide
by Hemalatha R
Updated Mar 31, 2023
MLB The Show 23
San Diego Studio and Sony Interactive Entertainment have released MLB The Show 23, the 18th game in the Major League Baseball (MLB) video game franchise, on March 28, 2023. Available on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch, the game features Miami Marlins player Jazz Chisholm Jr. on the cover. The Captain Edition features retired New York Yankees player Derek Jeter. Xbox Game Pass subscribers can access the Xbox versions of the game for free, continuing the trend from the previous two years. MLB The Show 23 introduces a new game mode called Storylines: A New Game Experience, which focuses on the Negro Leagues. The mode includes narration by Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president Bob Kendrick, highlighting the careers of eight players who played in the Negro Leagues, including Jackie Robinson, Buck O'Neil, Satchel Page, and Rube Foster. A new season would accompany every new launch of MLB The Show, featuring different players who played in the Negro Leagues. These players will become regular players in other modes of the game.
Other features of the game include Core Seasons in Diamond Dynasty, which allows players to obtain 99 overall players from day one, with new core seasons taking place every 6-8 weeks. Only players from the current and previous seasons can be used in Ranked and Conquest. Another addition is Captain Cards, which boosts a player's team significantly once a certain tier requirement is met for the Captain Cardplayer. The game also includes proper two-way play, allowing players such as Shohei Ohtani to be used as both a starting pitcher and designated hitter.
How to play WBC in MLB The Show 23?
For players who want to experience the excitement of the World Baseball Classic (WBC). With the WBC program, gamers can play through some of the key moments of the tournament, earning in-game rewards and purchasing card packs. However, it's important to note that WBC teams are not available through Exhibition modes, so players looking to face off against specific teams will need to search for custom WBC rosters through the Vault system. The WBC Event in Diamond Dynasty is another exciting feature of MLB The Show 23, offering its own set of special rewards including 97 overall Pete Alonso and Mookie Betts. Although the event will end on Apr. 7, players can expect those rewards to return later in other events through Rewind packs.
To get started with the WBC program in MLB The Show 23, players can navigate to the Diamond Dynasty game mode and select the WBC Program option. From there, they can play through some of the tournament's key moments and earn rewards along the way. It's important to note that while the WBC program offers a taste of the tournament, it doesn't provide a full WBC experience. For example, players can't simply select a WBC team and face off against an opponent in a head-to-head mode either offline or online. However, the addition of the WBC program is a step in the right direction and offers an exciting new feature for fans of the tournament. Overall, the addition of the WBC program to MLB The Show 23 is sure to be a hit among fans of the tournament and baseball gamers alike. With its in-game rewards and special events, the program offers a fresh new way to experience the excitement of the WBC, even if it's not a full-fledged mode.
MLB The Show 23 Best World Baseball Classic Cards
The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament that takes place every four years, and it features some of the best players from around the world. The tournament is a great opportunity for players to represent their country and compete against other talented athletes. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the top performers from the World Baseball Classic and their corresponding MLB The Show 23 WBC Cards.
Cristian Javier (SP) – Dominican Republic
Cristian Javier is a Dominican Republic native who made a name for himself in the World Baseball Classic by throwing four scoreless innings versus Nicaragua. Javier is known for being cold-blooded and has a 3.05 ERA in 78 careers MLB appearances. His 95 overall card is a must-have due to Outlier I and Break Outlier pitching quirks that go hand-in-hand with a 99 break rating on both his fastball and slider.
Devin Williams (CP) – Team USA
Devin Williams is a Missouri native who played for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Williams is a reliever for the Milwaukee Brewers who struck out six in 3.1 innings – with two Ks against Japan in the championship game. His 99 OVR WBC card is one of five boss cards in the Season 1 XP Reward Path. While his pitch mix doesn’t feature a sinker or a circle-change, it does include a screwball that’s designed to imitate his gravity-defying changeup, “The Airbender”. Williams rocks max 125 H/9 and 125 pitching clutch.
Francisco Lindor (SS) – Puerto Rico
Francisco Lindor is a veteran player who recorded 26 HRs, 107 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases for the Mets in 2022 before hitting .450 in the World Baseball Classic. Lindor’s switch bat is glitchier than ever and his 99 OVR is fitted with hitting that tops 100 at Parallel Three, a diamond fielding badge at three positions (SS/2B/3B), and active quirks such as Pinch Hitter and Road Warrior.
Harry Ford (C) – Great Britain
Harry Ford is a young player who led Great Britain in their first appearance in the World Baseball Classic and mashed two home runs as a tribute to his parents’ heritage. Ford has everything you want in a catcher – contact, power, and a high clutch rating – but his speed (81) and arm strength (88) make him an A+ option at his position.
Kensuke Kondoh (RF) – Japan
Kensuke Kondoh is a No. 2 hitter for Samurai Japan who set the table for his teammates (Ohtani, Yoshida) and created offense on his own, hitting .346 with four doubles and eight walks. The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks outfielder is renowned for recording more walks (609) than strikeouts (567) in an 11-year span in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). His debut card in The Show 23 makes him a versatile threat who can play six different positions.
Yu Chang (1B) – Chinese Taipei
Yu Chang, an infielder for the Red Sox and a native of Taiwan, showcased his skills at the World Baseball Classic where he was recognized as Pool A’s Most Valuable Player after hitting .438, scoring two home runs, and eight RBIs. He impressed the selectors and secured a spot on the roster for MLB Opening Day. His World Baseball Classic card highlights his adaptability with a rating of 104 for clutch, 81 for speed, and diamond fielding at Parallel Two.
Roki Sasaki (SP) – Japan
As any follower of baseball would be aware, Roki Sasaki possesses extraordinary talent on the pitching mound. The 21-year-old starter for NPB’s Chiba Lotte Marines achieved a perfect game on April 10th, 2022, matching the league record for strikeouts (19) and setting a new one for consecutive Ks (13). Sasaki's exceptional skills also helped Japan clinch their third championship in the WBC, with his preference for 100 mph fastballs being a critical factor. Though he wasn't as dominant in the WBC as he has been, his first 99 OVR in MLB The Show is remarkable, with 109 H/9 and 112 pitching clutch ratings combined with 99 break on his sinker, four-seam, and forkball.
Robinson Cano (2B) – Dominican Republic
Despite being 40 years old, "Don't You Know?" remains one of the most elegant batters in baseball, as confirmed by his new 97 overall card for República Dominicana. Although he had limited playing time in this year's tournament, with only two at-bats in two games, his WBC card is comparable to his 2010 Retro Finest Series card, featuring excellent hitting statistics (114/91, 98/96) combined with gold fielding ratings across the board at Parallel One.
Randy Arozarena (LF) – Mexico
Undoubtedly, Randy Arozarena is a unique player. The Tampa Bay Rays outfielder, famously known as "Playoff Randy," made his mark in the WBC by choosing to play for Mexico, impressing everyone with his spectacular catches, crucial doubles, cowboy boots, and unparalleled celebrations. His 99 OVR card is the ultimate prize in The Show 23's World Baseball Classic Program, providing exceptional skills in left field, including power against left-handed pitchers, special abilities like First-Pitch Hitter, and diamond-level fielding in LF, CF, and RF positions.
Nolan Arenado (3B) – Team USA
Nolan Arenado is an exceptional batter. The St. Louis Cardinals player, who is a perennial candidate for the NL MVP and a 10-time Gold Glove Award winner, had an impressive season in 2022, hitting .293 with 30 home runs, 42 doubles, and 103 RBI. He continued his fine form in the WBC, recording 10 hits, the highest in the tournament, before being forced to leave due to an injury resulting from a hit-by-pitch. While his speed and offensive attributes are not high for a third baseman, his fierce swing is enhanced by unique skills like Dead Red, Unfazed, Fighter, Stopper, and First-Pitch Hitter.
Nicky Lopez (3B) – Italy
In the WBC, the 28-year-old infielder from the Royals team represented Italia with full commitment and delivered impressive performances, hitting .474/.524/.632 in five games and recording seven RBIs and a stolen base. While there are other strong options available for third and second base positions, such as Gio Urshela and Yoan Moncada, Lopez is a valuable addition to contact builds with his 108 vision. Additionally, even though it's still early, he is one of the two players with diamond-level fielding ratings (90+) at 3B/2B/SS in the WBC card series.
Munetaka Murakami (3B) – Japan
Murakami-sama, also known as the "Babe Ruth of Higo," is widely regarded as the best non-MLB power hitter globally, having hit 56 home runs in 141 games for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. The 23-year-old continued his impressive form in the World Baseball Classic, delivering crucial hits, including a walk-off two-run double against Mexico and a first-pitch solo home run against the USA. His debut in The Show is equally impressive, boasting a 125-power rating against both righties and lefties.
Mike Trout (CF) – Team USA
Mike Trout remains a beloved figure among baseball players, with many considering him their favorite player. Despite only playing in less than 120 games in 2022, the 31-year-old star hit 40 home runs and served as captain for the United States in the World Baseball Classic, contributing seven RBIs in seven games, including a three-run homer against Canada. A 99 OVR Trout card is rare, and the Team USA version is particularly noteworthy, boasting 125 power against right-handed pitchers, 95 speed, and diamond-level fielding at Parallel Five.
Ketel Marte (2B) – Dominican Republic
Despite being restricted to just eight at-bats in the World Baseball Classic, including an RBI double against Israel, "The Pike" is known for his sweet swing. Although his career has been affected by hamstring injuries, Marte's WBC card is comparable to last year's 2nd Half Heroes Headliner. It boasts 125 contacts against lefties, 118 vision, and 114 clutches, and flexible fielding options at 2B, SS, and OF.
How to Play WBC in MLB The Show 23?-FAQs
MLB The Show 23 is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Miami Marlins player Jazz Chisholm Jr. is the cover star for MLB The Show 23, while retired New York Yankees player Derek Jeter is featured on the Captain Edition of the game.
The new game mode in MLB The Show 23 is called Storylines: A New Game Experience. This mode is focused on the Negro Leagues and features eight players who played in the Negro Leagues, including Jackie Robinson and Buck O'Neil.
Core Seasons is a feature in Diamond Dynasty that takes place every 6-8 weeks and allows for 99 overall players to be obtained from day one. Only the players featured on the current and previous season can be used in Ranked and Conquest during a Core Season.
Yes, MLB The Show 23 implemented proper two-way play, making it possible for players like Shohei Ohtani to be used as both a starting pitcher and designated hitter.