A player’s batting stance is the heart and soul of the swing. The stance is the first step to getting into the place they are most comfortable hitting the ball. Batting stances also help generate power, contact and lift to a swing. All of this rings true in MLB The Show 22. If you are looking for the best batting stances to use in MLB The Show 22, then this is the list for you!
10. David “Big Papi” Ortiz
Big Papi hit 541 home runs in his 20-year career, ranking him 17th on Major League Baseball's All-Time Home Run list. Papi is often referred to as Big Papi, but he is also known as Cookie Monster! This Hall of Famer definitely carved out an amazing career and won over all Red Sox fans with his clutch postseason performances!
What makes David Ortiz’s batting stance great:
- When batting from the left side, the swing itself is longer, providing more power through the ball on swings, which results in more home runs and extra base hits.
- The open stance generates power to drive the ball to either side of the field with ease, making getting on base even easier.
- Even when batting from the right side, the upwards body position and open stance creates enough power to push the ball to the opposite field.
9. Joe Mauer
Being one of the greatest catchers in Twins' history and major league history, Joe Maurer is often overlooked when it comes to lists like this. From being the first overall pick in the 2001 MLB draft to becoming the first National League catcher to win a batting title and then winning it three times! This born and raised Minnesota man lived the dream of any kid and was able to go and ball out with his home team!
Joe Mauer? Why is he so good?
- The power distribution in his stance helps drive the ball outta the park!
- His “semi-open” feet help create power as well, and help keep his swing quick when need be
- When batting from the left side, this stance give speed and power to the swing, making extra base hits and home runs easy to come by!
8. Hank Aaron
Good ol’ Hammerin’ Hank. The peak on the mountain of the best of the best in MLB. The man who hit an astounding 755 home runs in his illustrious 23-season career. I know, you are wondering "If he is so good, then why is he so low on the list?". Well, it is because, within the modern age of baseball, stances have been modernized and what was highly effective might not be as effective. But here is why it works in MLB: The Show!
Hammerin’ Hank’s Stance Perks
- As a right hander, the stance just creates contact, rather it be against left or right handed pitching.
- As one of the best right-handed stances, the swing pattern and closed feet create quick reactions to be able to spray the ball to all parts of the field.
- The stance also provides stability and help on pitches on the inside
7. Aaron Judge
All Rise! Aaron Judge is a modern-day masher with the stance to prove it. Judge is having a monsterous year, already hitting 60 home runs, and is on pace to break the American League record for most home runs hit in a single season. On October 4th, he hit his 62nd home run and is currently enjoying a postseason run with the Yankees.
Channel your inner Judge? Here is why you should
- The calm, closed stance provides enough power from the lower part of the body to drive the ball into the next week.
- The straight stance also allows control over inside pitches
- The total movement of the stance helps spray the ball to the opposite sides of the field
6. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Following in his superstar dad’s footsteps, Vlad Jr is out there making the family name look good. The power-hitting first baseman is out here trying to recreate his 2021 season and is doing a great job at it. The 2021 AL Silver Slugger is showing that he is only getting better with experience. With the fact that his grandma has lived with him since his call up to the major leagues and cooks all of his meals, it's safe to say that grandma’s food has some magical properties! Even more so because she did the same thing for Vlad Jr.’s dad during his MLB career.
The low down on Canada’s superstar:
- Vladimir has a semi open stance, which helps generate push power to the left field.
- With the high bat angle, and straight bat, it creates more force coming down from the shoulder to help contact with the ball from all angles of the strike zone.
- The right handed power swing isn’t as much as a whole field hitter but has the opportunity to have some opposite field homers
5. Frank Thomas
The Big Hurt, a nickname given for good reason, Standing at 6 feet 5 inches (195.58 cm), Frank Thomas towered over home plate and was incredibly strong. Frank Thomas remains the only player in Major League Baseball history to have a.300 batting average, 100 RBIs, 100 runs scored, 100 walks, and 20 home runs in seven consecutive seasons. Talk about being an absolute machine!
Why you should put the Big Hurt to use for you:
- The straight stance helps create power and launch the ball out of the park
- With the closed stance it helps hit the inside pitches and hit the ball all over the field
- The entire stance screams power, rather it be to left field, right field or deep center, you connect with the ball and there is a good chance you’re hitting a moonshot
4. Wander Franco
Being the youngest person on this list, you are probably thinking that he is a monster, and you are right. To be able to call yourself the youngest player in MLB on an Opening Day roster is a special thing to claim. He is considered one of the most electric switch hitters in the league, which means he can bring lightning to your CAP.
Why Franco’s stance is so good
- He has a classic semi open stance, which helps pull and push the ball.
- His stance created power from both sides of the plate, since it was made to be a switch hitter stance
- The speed that the stance creates with the straight top help generate the power to push balls all over the park, and out of it!
3. Mookie Betts
Mookie Betts is one of the best five-tool players in baseball right now. He has power, speed, contact, strength, and reaction. He rose to fame with the Red Sox and then was later traded to the Dodgers to help them with the pennant race and win the World Series in 2020.
Why Betts is best for you:
- Mookie’s straight standing stance helps control the bat and ensures contact on all parts of the plate
- The closed stance helps generate power to hit deep balls and home runs as well
- This stance is able to pepper the ball all over the field, and generate enough power for home runs mixed in.
2. Ken Griffey Jr.
The Kid, the one and only Ken Griffey Jr. Yes, I know he isn’t number one, but that is okay because it was honestly a hard choice. The infamous stance by The Kid has always been dominant in MLB The Show. For good reason, the Hall of Famer has always been a popular guest on the show.
Why you should choose The Kid
- His stance is iconic, and classic, and provides everything you need for a contact and power hitter
- The slightly open stance help open up pitches on the inside and pull and push balls to both corners
- The back shoulders help create even more power so you can channel your inner Junior and smack dingers
1. Chipper Jones (2008)
Yes, Chipper is number one. His stance is tailored for both sides of the plate, and this is because he was one of the absolute best switch hitters in MLB history. He set multiple records for not only the Braves, but in MLB as well. He was so good, in fact, that he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2018.
Why Chipper is the best
- The closed stance screams power and total field control
- With the back knee bent like that, it provides control within the whole plate, and allows you to get more power into the swing
- With the shoulders back more like that also helps with the control and power
