Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, and Gunnar Henderson Featured on PlayStation.Blog

Back in 2025, the gaming world is buzzing with excitement as MLB The Show marks its impressive 20th anniversary. This milestone not only highlights two decades of capturing baseball’s essence but also showcases groundbreaking innovations and treasured memories for fans everywhere. In this special year, San Diego Studio and PlayStation Studios are pulling out all the stops, featuring three cover athletes on MLB The Show 25 for the first time: Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, and Gunnar Henderson. These young talents are stepping up to carry the torch for baseball’s future as we look back on 20 fantastic years of the franchise’s history.

Let’s take a closer look at these rising stars. First up is Paul Skenes, whose passion for baseball took root in high school and flourished in college. It was there he truly shined, securing his place as one of the sport’s top pitching prospects. After winning a national championship, Skenes was snapped up as the No. 1 overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2023 MLB Draft. His ascent to the major leagues was meteoric; just a year later, he made MLB history by being the first player ever to start the All-Star Game so soon after being drafted. His stellar 2024 only got better with the National League Rookie of the Year title and a spot on the All-MLB First Team. His story mirrors Road to the Show, inspiring players to carve their own paths to success.

Then there’s Elly De La Cruz, whose swift journey from the minors to the majors encapsulates baseball’s thrilling storylines. Making a splash with the Cincinnati Reds in 2023, Elly quickly rose to fame with his dynamic play style. Known for his speed and arm strength, he became one of the youngest players to hit for the cycle, setting the field ablaze with his talents. By 2024, he’d secured his place as an All-Star and demonstrated the kind of versatility that MLB The Show enthusiasts dream of having in their franchise mode lineups.

Completing this trio is Gunnar Henderson, the 2023 American League Rookie of the Year, who was drafted by the Orioles back in 2019. His rapid rise through their farm system led to his MLB debut in late 2022. In 2023, as MLB’s top prospect, he played a pivotal role in breaking the Orioles’ postseason drought of seven years. With his remarkable performance earning him both a Rookie of the Year honor and a Silver Slugger Award, Gunnar’s prowess continued into 2024, gaining him a spot in the MLB All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby. His journey captures the spirit of MLB The Show’s head-to-head competition.

For those who never want to miss a beat, signing up for the MLB The Show Scouting Report is a must. From April to December 2025, subscribers will access exclusive monthly packs, filled with impressive in-game rewards. Plus, the Golden Ticket Sweepstakes is back, promising a chance to win fantastic prizes each month, including packs, stubs, merchandise, and even signed items from the cover athletes themselves. It’s an opportunity no fan will want to pass up—just head over to theshow.com and get involved.

And if you’re preparing for the new season, make sure to set up your MLB The Show account. This enables seamless transition across platforms while keeping your collection of cards intact. Just create your MLB The Show Account and link it to your platform account, so you’re all geared up when Opening Day arrives.

Exciting news: MLB The Show 25 is set to be released on March 18, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. While it won’t be available through subscription services, those eager to dive in early can get Early Access starting March 14 by purchasing the Digital Deluxe Edition.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for February 4, as that’s when they’ll unveil the first Gameplay Trailer at 9:00 AM PST on MLB The Show social media and San Diego Studio channels. Further weekly feature reveals and in-depth Feature Trailer Deep Dives with MLB Network host Robert Flores will follow, leading up to the launch.

Pre-orders will start on February 4 at 6:00 AM PST, available on theshow.com, via platform stores, and at participating retailers. For all up-to-date information, keep an eye on TheShow.com and follow along on their social media channels, including X, Facebook, and Instagram.

*Internet connection required for updates.

**Cross-platform progression needs an internet connection and a copy of the game compatible with your console, as well as the necessary accounts linked.