For the first time, MLB The Show will feature three cover athletes.
The baseball video game franchise from Sony’s San Diego Studio will spotlight three up-and-coming Major League Baseball stars: Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates), Elly De La Cruz (Cincinnati Reds) and Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles).
Skenes started seven games for the Indianapolis Indians last year before being called up to the big leagues. The flame-throwing righty went 11-3 in 23 starts for the Pirates and posted an impressive 1.96 ERA. He won National League Rookie of the Year and finished third in Cy Young voting.
De La Cruz is a switch-hitting speedster who made his MLB debut in 2023. One of the fastest players in baseball, De La Cruz stole a league-leading 67 bases in 2024. The shortstop was named as a reserve for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game. Last season, he became only the third Reds player to hit at least 20 home runs and steal at least 50 bases, joining franchise icons Joe Morgan and Eric Davis.
He's the first active Cincinnati Reds player ever featured on a video game cover.
After a breakout season in 2023 that earned him AL Rookie of the Year honors, Henderson was even better in 2024, posting a .281 batting average while slugging 37 home runs and driving in 92 runs. He made his first All-Star Game in 2024 and competed in the Home Run Derby. The shortstop is one of the anchors of a young Orioles team that made the playoffs last season.
MLB The Show 25 launches on March 18 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and the Nintendo Switch. The early access period begins on March 14 for players who buy the Digital Deluxe Edition.
Unlike the past few entries, this year’s game won’t appear on Xbox Game Pass. There will not be PS4 or Xbox One versions, according to this week’s announcement.