There's been an injection of incredibly young talent in Major League Baseball in recent years, and the result has been a more exciting and fun game. That new, young look is finally starting to make its way into Sony's MLB The Show franchise.
Sony San Diego announced today MLB The Show 25, revealing a March 18th release date as well as this year's cover stars. Yes, "stars" as in multiple. For the first time in the history of the Sony's baseball video game franchise, MLB The Show 25 will feature three rising stars: Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, and Gunnar Henderson.
All three player boast incredible talent and are helping fuel a renewed interest in the sport. MLB The Show has always been a successful franchise since it's pretty much the most realistic baseball sim, but having these players front and center should only boost interest.
Paul Skenes is perhaps the biggest name on the list. The No. 1 overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2023 MLB Draft, Skenes made his Major League debut against the Chicago Cubs in May 2024 at the age of 21. The promising young prospect lived up to the hype, striking out seven batters over four-plus innings. It was the first of many strong starts for Skenes who finished his rookie campaign with a 1.96 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 170 strikeouts, 32 walks, and an 11-3 record in 23 starts. In July, he was selected to the 2024 MLB All-Star Game, becoming the first No. 1 draft pick to do so as a rookie.
"His story and skillset align perfectly with Road to the Show, where you can chart your own path to greatness," Sony San Diego Studio's Ramone Russell teased.
Elly De La Cruz is another electric player. The Cincinnati Reds infielder made his Major League debut in 2023 and his impact has been felt on the basepaths and infield. A five-tool player with a switch-hitting approach, Elly De La Cruz possesses blazing speed and an incredibly powerful arm.
The third member of the cover is Baltimore Orioles infielder Gunnar Henderson. The 2023 American League Rookie of the Year was selected 42nd overall in the 2019 MLB Draft and made his Major League debut late in the 2022 season. 2023 marked his first full season in the Majors in which he hit .255 with 28 home runs and 82 RBIs -- a performance that earned him AL Rookie of the Year and the Silver Slugger Award while helping lead the team to its first postseason appearance in seven years. 2024 was an even bigger year for Henderson as he was selected to start in the MLB All-Star Game and compete in the Home Run Derby.
"His MLB journey resonates deeply with MLB The Show fans who strive to dominate head-to-head competition in their pursuit of greatness on the diamond," Russell said.
As you can see, all three of these players represent a different aspect of MLB The Show 25's core pillars. Sony didn't get into specifics about this year's game modes, but promises to drop the first gameplay trailer on February 4th at 9:00 a.m. PST.
MLB The Show 25 will be available on March 18 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. Early Access will be available starting March 14th for anyone who purchases the Digital Deluxe Edition. Unlike the past couple of years, the Xbox version will not be free with Game Pass at launch.