MLB 2K12 Player Ratings: Superstars Who Should Have Video Game's Highest Ratings

Spring training games are set to begin on Friday, which means this season's baseball video games can't be too far away.

Sure enough, MLB 2K12 is set to be released next week on all major gaming platforms, so the wait is almost over.

Let's take a look at which players should have the highest ratings once the game is dropped.

Hitter: Jose Bautista

There were some people heading into last season who wondered if Bautista's breakout season in 2010, which featured 54 home runs, was a fluke. After all, he had never hit more than 16 previously.

As it turned out, it wasn't. In fact, the Toronto Blue Jays slugger got even better.

His batting average and on-base percentage both increased dramatically, mostly because his BABIP returned to normal levels, but also due to an improved walk rate. The added patience didn't affect his power, though, as he still slugged 43 long balls.

When it comes to video games, everybody loves swinging for the fences. Singles and doubles are nice, but nothing it more gratifying than taking your opponent deep. Nobody in baseball does that better right now than Bautista, which gives him a strong case for monster ratings.

Starter: Justin Verlander

What isn't there to like about Verlander? The defending MVP and Cy Young Award winner had a microscopic ERA, improved his control, struck out batters at an impressive rate and had a 24-5 record for the Detroit Tigers. It doesn't get much better than that.

He has four above averages pitches, which makes him even more attractive to gamers. Led by a dominant fastball that constantly tops 95 mph and a changeup to keep hitters off balance, he is basically unhittable when he's in the zone.

Being on the cover certainly helps his cause in terms of getting a high rating. The developers wouldn't have chosen him unless he was going to be one of the most exciting players to use. He definitely tops the list of anybody hoping to take part in the perfect game challenge.

Closer: Craig Kimbrel

Kimbrel is filthy, plain and simple. He worked the ninth inning for the Atlanta Braves in his rookie season and, prior to a late-season slump which inflated his numbers, was putting up zeroes like they were going out of style.

When it was all said and done, the numbers were eye-popping. He saved 46 games with an ERA of 2.10 to earn Rookie of the Year honors. Perhaps most impressively, he was striking out nearly 15 batters per nine innings.

Kimbrel has two tremendous pitches—a 96-plus mph heater and a sweet slider—which is enough for him to keep batters in check to close out any game. Some gamers may prefer old reliable, Mariano Rivera, but not even he was as good as Kimbrel last season.