Next 10 MLB The Show Cover Athletes

Today, I am giving myself what I truly believe to be an impossible task. I will be predicting the next 10 cover athletes of Sony San Diego Studio’s trademark franchise, MLB The Show. Given that I have never guessed it right ahead of time in the past, we’ll see how long it takes for these predictions to crash and burn(2023 anyone?). Without any further adieu and fanfare, here is my list.

2022: Shohei Ohtani - Los Angeles Angels[confirmed]

Okay yes, I am starting with the absolute meatiest of softballs but technically as of this writing the game has yet to release. I’m just hoping I get this one right. In all seriousness, this was an obvious pick with Ohtani having a downright historic season and the anime style cover is an amazing work of art. Kudos to SDS.

2023: Wander Franco - Tampa Bay Rays

SDS loves young stars, and are there any whose star is burning brighter right now than the Rays’ stud? After a phenomenal 2021, I think he’ll build on that playing a full 146(?) in 2022, and the announcement of a new stadium actually in Tampa Bay will build the hype around the Rays and their shortstop for up to 11 more years.

2024: Derek Jeter - New York Yankees

Hear me out. (2 + 0) x 2 = 4. It’s almost too obvious. But after a couple years out of baseball and away from the train wreck that is the Miami Marlins, Derek Jeter needs some good old positive media attention and what better way to do it then make a much anticipated return to the premier MLB video game? Not that he’ll have anything better than bronze fielding anyway…

BONUS: Anthony’s pick - Juan Soto - Washington Nationals

It’s pretty hard to bet against the game’s best hitter of his generation to adorn the front of MLB The Show. Juan has proven himself to be an absolute stud, with no moment being too big for him to approach with his patented Soto Shuffle, which at this point in the future will likely have made its way to all the hottest dance clubs in DC.

2025: Julio Rodriguez - Seattle Mariners

If any team’s owner needs to be rooting for expansion of playoffs it has to George Argyros of the Mariners. Luckily, with an absolutely monstrous prospect class coming through the ranks the October Mariners will be playing soon in a town near you, headed by this 3-time top 10 prospect, that’s drawing comps to Frank Robinson.

2026: Jose Ramirez - Cleveland Guardians

Despite rampant trade rumors that the 2023 and 2025 third-place MVP candidate(runner up in ‘24), would be on the move for the umpteenth off-season in a row, SDS chose the now 33 year-old the be the face of the game, although did bake in caution by having him do a photo shoot wearing a green screen over his uniform. No matter what changes between now and then he will be producing.

BONUS: Blake’s pick - Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - Toronto Blue Jays

Who better to pick than the man carrying an entire country on his back. Even better, this would be the 20th anniversary of his dad being on the cover of MLB 2006. The only push back that SDS would face for this would be that they didn’t turn to Vladito sooner.

2027: Anthony Volpe - New York Yankees

Maybe this would be a point MLB would consider a dual cover of Volpe and Jeter, past and future of the most storied franchise but I’m betting Jeter commands too much RE2PECT for that to happen. With a breakout 2021 in the minors Volpe put himself in the consideration for future superstar and although he’ll likely have to wear a number in the 60’s at the rate the Yankees are retiring numbers(although not 68 because of Dellin Betances), Volpe will be a fan-favorite.

2028: Sandy Koufax - Brooklyn Dodgers

A pitcher has never been on the cover of MLB the Show. Of course Shohei Ohtani pitches but he’s reached urban myth levels where our children will think we’re exaggerating in our senile years. Regardless, Sandy Koufax would be a fantastic choice for cover athlete, representing both the Jewish community as well as baseball historians, who believe Babe Ruth would totally take Adam Ottavino deep.

2029: Nelson Cruz - Nashville Stars

Left up to a fan vote for the first time since The Show 13, it was a two horse race from the start between Philly outfielder Mike Trout and 48 year-old Nelson Cruz, original member of the expansion Nashville Stars. Dave Dombrowski, in a brilliant push for the Boomstick to receive the honors, traded five prospects inside the top 100 to the Phillies in exchange for control of their social media account.

2030: Albert Pujols - St. Louis Cardinals

Much anticipated by everyone who saw him in his prime, it was truly a joy to have The Machine return to the game which he curiously never appeared on during his playing days. Unfortunately, this was the worst-selling installment of the series, with many kids not even bothering to pull down their VR goggles required to play the PS6 to ask, “That bum who played for the Angels?”

2031: Fernando Tatis Jr. - San Diego Padres

There’s no better choice to both close out this article and become the first two-time honoree than the kid that brought San Diego its first ring. Although, he was in the hot seat recently after a recent controversy centering around him using holograms during a home run celebration.

I hope you enjoyed this list and all the other great baseball content we house here on the Show N Go website. I appreciate any and all feedback and have a great day. Thank you for reading our blog and be sure to follow our socials for the latest news and what we are up to!

Instagram: @showngopod

Twitter: @showngopod

TikTok: @showngopod

Youtube: https://bit.ly/3C9f9Xn

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/showngopodcast