These athletes come from diverse backgrounds in the baseball world, hailing from places like the Dominican Republic, Southern California, and Alabama.

Despite having limited time in the major leagues, they are already All-Stars with an impressive array of awards and accolades.

They are quite young—none older than 23—and collectively have just four years of experience in the majors, yet they are seen as the faces of their respective teams.

Now, shortstop Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds, shortstop Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles, and pitcher Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates are proudly featured on the cover of MLB The Show 25, celebrating the 20^th anniversary of this beloved baseball video game.

“I was incredibly excited and thankful,” De La Cruz shared with YSL News Sports. “It’s something every big league player dreams of. My friends and family back home will be thrilled when they hear about it.”

De La Cruz has been playing this video game since childhood, always selecting Derek Jeter and the Yankees, and he had the chance to meet the Hall of Famer for the first time at last year’s All-Star Game.

While De La Cruz regularly enjoys playing The Show, which first launched when he was just four, and Henderson often plays with teammates and friends from home, Skenes admits he isn’t really into baseball video games.

Although Skenes spent hours playing Fortnite last spring to fight boredom and once played MLB The Show in September with teammates—where they built a dynasty with the Pirates—he admits that he doesn’t play video games much anymore.

“I never had a PlayStation as a kid and stopped playing video games around nine or ten,” Skenes shared. “I see their value, and I have nothing against gaming, but when I’m not playing baseball, I prefer not to think about it.”

Skenes chuckles as he recalls his time at the Air Force Academy, where he was often so exhausted that even getting to bed was a struggle—let alone playing video games. Still, he feels honored to be on the cover of the game.

“It’s a neat thing and a significant honor,” Skenes stated. “It’s special to do this alongside those guys. I met them at last year’s All-Star Game, which was awesome, and to share this moment with them early in our careers is remarkable.”

This marks the first time since MLB The Show debuted in 2006 that multiple players appear on its cover. David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox was the inaugural athlete featured, having been inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.

“Traditionally, we’ve selected a single athlete for the cover of MLB The Show,” explained Todd Liss, Group Manager for Global Marketing at MLB The Show. “With the influx of exceptional young talent in the league, we wanted to reflect the current state of baseball and showcase it on our cover.

“De La Cruz, Skenes, and Henderson are not only rising stars, but they are also making significant impacts on the field that fans have noticed. They are reshaping the possibilities in baseball, and it’s only fitting we represent that by changing the number of cover athletes.”

Henderson, who has been gaming for as long as he can remember, is still in disbelief about being chosen for the cover. He vividly recalls seeing athletes like Ken Griffey Jr., Andrew McCutchen, and Bryce Harper on covers before him, and now he joins their ranks.

“I’m super excited because I grew up playing The Show and looking at all the athletes on the cover,” Henderson said. “I always thought it would be awesome to achieve that, and having this opportunity is incredibly special.”

“It’s definitely among the top honors for me, especially given how I played this game with my friends growing up. Sharing this experience with them is fantastic.”

Henderson, the 2023 AL Rookie of the Year, continues to play the game almost every evening during the season to unwind after games, alongside Call of Duty and Apex Legends. He enjoys hearing friends from his childhood say they’re playing as him in The Show.

Late in the season, Henderson was first approached about being on the cover and didn’t wait to say yes. The same goes for Skenes and De La Cruz.

“I was thrilled,” Henderson affirmed. “It’s an incredible honor to be part of something like this, considering how much I’ve engaged with video games throughout my life.”

Interestingly, none of the featured players are from high-profile teams. The Reds and Pirates are among the smallest markets in baseball, both having payrolls ranked towards the bottom last season.

“As Skenes pointed out, due to social media, small-market teams are less defined because everyone is watching everything now,” he said. “It’s exciting to share this cover with them and see where the sport is headed.”

Liss added, “When selecting a cover athlete, we consider more than just their names, stats, or popularity. We focus on the unique stories they bring. Each player has their narrative, and we aim to highlight that. Gunnar, Elly, and Paul each have distinct and exciting journeys to the majors, aligning perfectly with this year’s game theme.”

De La Cruz, hailing from Sabana Grande de Boya in the Dominican Republic, is the youngest of nine siblings. He joined the Reds as an international free agent in 2018, signing for just $65,000. Now, he’s one of baseball’s most electrifying players known for his speed, power, and arm strength. He’s recognized as one of the fastest players, alongside Bobby Witt Jr., and boasts the best arm strength among infielders according to Statcast. Last season, he made history as the first shortstop to hit over 20 home runs and steal 60 bases in a single season.

Henderson, who grew up in Selma, Alabama, was the top high school player in the state when he was selected in the second round of the 2019 draft, receiving a signing bonus of $2.3 million. He is currently regarded as one of the best all-around shortstops, hitting 37 home runs with an .893 OPS last season.

Skenes, raised in Fullerton, California, attended the Air Force Academy as a catcher and pitcher, winning the John Olerud Award for the best two-way player in college baseball. After transferring to LSU and being named the national pitcher of the year, he was drafted first overall by the Pirates, receiving a $9.2 million signing bonus. Last season, he made history as the first pitcher to start the All-Star Game just a year after being drafted, winning the NL Rookie of the Year award and placing third in the Cy Young voting.

“When you’re in college, you refrain from socializing with players from other teams,” Skenes remarked. “In the majors, you encounter them regularly, which is a different experience. Sharing this moment with them will give us more to talk about when we face off for years to come.”

These three players will be linked not only for their achievements on the field but now for their recognition off it.

“MLB is stepping into a dynamic phase with exciting young talent making immediate impacts as franchise players,” said Liss. “Elly, Paul, and Gunnar are among many reasons why it’s an exciting time to be a baseball enthusiast.”

And this trio is eager to connect with their fans.

“I believe you’ll see many kids excited to buy the game,” De La Cruz expressed. “Especially here in the Dominican Republic, where they’ve always had my back. Being part of this is a true honor.”

“I can’t wait.”

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