Toronto Blue Jays third baseman and 2015 American League MVP winner Josh Donaldson is featured on the main cover of the game.

Destructoid gave the game 7.5 out of 10, taking issue with the lack of collision physics, Quick Count system, technical issues, commentary, and mediocre soundtrack, while lauding the core gameplay, writing, "If MLB The Show‘s new MO is just coasting on the good gameplay and providing minor tweaks to disparate modes...then there’s no greater candidate for games-as-service that I can see...the baseball itself is as good as ever, and one of the better modes, Road to the Show, is far less clunky this time around.

"[10] IGN called it "the best baseball game available on any current-gen console", commending the animations, graphics, various modes, load times, and depth via consumable perks and the morale system.

"[16] Polygon praised its iteration upon its predecessor, writing, "MLB The Show 16's additions and changes may not be breakthroughs, but they refine weaker areas of the game that had been routine or even chorelike.

"[15] GameSpot heavily praised the Conquest and Diamond Dynasty modes, visuals, lighting, stadium detail, options, and incremental improvements, but cited the presence of perks and microtransactions as negatives.

[11] Shacknews liked the core gameplay, accessibility, visuals, presentation, quality of life improvements, amount of content, and perks, but disliked the microtransactions, lag, and finicky controls.