The latest edition of the popular MLB The Show 25 video game is dishing out a heaping helping of southern charm. Its cover is set to feature Paul Skenes, an alumnus of Louisiana State University’s baseball program and current sensation of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The news was confirmed officially by the creators of this celebrated baseball video game.
Skenes isn’t the only pro to be making an appearance on the cover. The stellar roster is enhanced by the addition of Elly De La Cruz, the Cincinnati Reds’ hard-hitting shortstop, and Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles. The decision to feature multiple players collectively on the cover is a first for the franchise, adding another exciting twist to this year’s release.
The tradition of featuring famous players on the cover began with the legendary David Ortiz from the Boston Red Sox when the game first launched in 2006. Following in his footsteps last season was the phenomenal Toronto Blue Jay, Vladamir Guerrero Jr. This progression showcases the ongoing commitment to feature top-tier talents from different franchises and honoring their performances.
Skenes, a native of Fullerton, California, brought fame and acclaim to his university when he steered the LSU Tigers to a national championship win in 2023. His performance that season also saw him scoop up the College Baseball Most Outstanding Player award, an honor that firmly put him on the radar as a major league prospect.
Further accolades followed in 2023 when he bagged the National Pitcher of the Year Award and the Dick Howser Trophy, proof of his dominance on the mound. Skenes was subsequently picked first in the 2023 MLB draft and made his professional debut the following year on May 11, 2024.
In his rookie season, Skenes confirmed his potential, delivering a commanding performance with a 1.96 ERA, 170 strikeouts in 133 innings, and an impressive 11-3 record over 23 starts. At 22, Skenes is being tipped as the future pillar of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ team.
Despite being on the cover of a popular video game, Skenes has been candid about his indifference towards gaming. He admits missing out on video games, having given them up at an early age, however, he acknowledges their importance, but prefers to stay away from references to baseball when not on the field.
Gunnar Henderson and Elly De La Cruz, both aged 23, are making waves in their career and are rightly identified as future stars of the sport. Henderson hails from Montgomery, Alabama. Initially committed to Auburn, he instead chose the path of professional baseball when he was selected in the second round of the 2019 MLB draft.
Henderson’s inclusion on the video game cover comes on the back of a stellar 2023 season when he hit 31 home runs and maintained a solid .281 batting average. These efforts culminated in his being named the 2023 Rookie of the Year. An ardent gamer himself, Henderson expressed his excitement about being featured on the cover, noting the significance it holds for him personally.
De La Cruz launched his MLB career in 2023 before earning his first All-Star selection the subsequent year. During the 2024 season, De La Cruz showed off his skills with a .259 batting average, smashed 25 home runs, and demonstrated impressive speed on the bases with a league-leading theft of 67 bases.
Apart from their impressive stats and performances, one shared characteristic among the stars selected for this year’s cover is their relatively tender age. It signals a sharp focus toward the future of baseball, showcasing the next generation of talent primed to entertain fans and make their distinct marks in the sport.