MLB The Show 25 cover stars revealed, featuring three players for the first time ever.
The selection of Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, and Gunnar Henderson as cover athletes marks a significant shift for San Diego Studio, the developer behind MLB The Show. This year, the focus is clearly on showcasing the rising stars of baseball, reflecting a deliberate choice to highlight youthful talent.
“In the past, we have typically chosen a single cover athlete who embodies the peak of the sport,” stated Todd Liss, global marketing group manager for The Show, in an interview with MLB.com. “Given the influx of exceptional young talent in the league, we aimed to represent the evolving landscape of baseball on our cover. These three players are redefining what is achievable in the sport, and we are redefining the cover itself.”
Last season, Toronto Blue Jays’ first baseman Vlad Guerrero Jr. graced the cover, while Miami Marlins’ standout Jazz Chisholm made his debut on MLB The Show 23. Both players showcased their skills early in their careers, paving the way for this year’s selections.
Skenes, De La Cruz, and Henderson are fitting choices for cover athletes based on their impressive starts. Skenes, a highly touted pitching prospect, was called up in May 2024 and quickly made an impact, earning the National League Rookie of the Year title and finishing third in the NL Cy Young voting with an 11-3 record, a 1.96 ERA, and 170 strikeouts.
De La Cruz has emerged as one of the most thrilling players in the league. Last season, he became only the fifth player since 1901 to achieve at least 20 home runs and 60 stolen bases in a single season, hitting 25 home runs and leading MLB with 67 stolen bases. His rookie season in 2023 also showcased his talent, with 13 homers, seven triples, and 35 stolen bases in just 98 games.
Henderson has been instrumental in the Baltimore Orioles’ consecutive playoff appearances over the past two years. The 23-year-old excelled last season, boasting a .281 batting average, 37 home runs, 92 RBIs, and an OPS of .893, along with 21 stolen bases. He also captured the AL Rookie of the Year award in 2023.
Unlike the NFL, where cover athletes often face a so-called “curse,” MLB The Show has seen less superstition surrounding its cover. Guerrero bounced back last season, hitting .323 with 30 home runs and a .940 OPS. Chisholm, despite injury setbacks, achieved a career-high with 19 home runs. Shohei Ohtani, who appeared on the 2022 cover, continued to impress with another outstanding two-way season, finishing second in AL MVP voting.
MLB The Show 25 will celebrate the game’s 20th edition, a milestone that pays homage to its legacy. The first cover featured former Boston Red Sox star and Hall of Famer David Ortiz, who had a remarkable season in 2006, hitting a career-high 54 home runs.
