MLB: 5 possible cover athletes for the new Backyard Baseball game

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As a lifelong baseball enthusiast and someone who has followed the sport for decades, I must say that the current MLB scene is more exciting than ever before! The talent we’re witnessing today is truly extraordinary, with young guns like Paul Skenes, Gunnar Henderson, and Ronald Acuna Jr. leading the charge.

Following a prolonged pause, known as a “rain delay”, the popular Backyard Sports series is preparing for its comeback, with Playground Productions planning to launch the video game franchise again within the next few months. Additionally, they aim to introduce merchandise, movies, and TV shows related to the Backyard Sports brand.

As a nostalgic ’00s kid myself, I can’t help but echo the calls from fellow Backyard Sports enthusiasts. For what seems like an eternity, we’ve yearned for the comeback of this legendary series that was such an integral part of our childhood gaming experiences.

Since 2015, no additional Backyard Sports games have come out, except for the two mobile apps that were launched around that time. If we ignore mobile releases, then the last game was published in October 2010.

On the official Instagram profile of Backyard Sports, you’ll find references to five sports: baseball, soccer, basketball, football, and hockey. These sports were included in the Backyard Sports video game series from 1997 to 2010, during which a total of 36 distinct games were launched over that 14-year period.

In this discussion, we will mainly concentrate on baseball, as it has become the main interest among fans since the official announcement of the comeback plans.

Which players could potentially grace the cover of the upcoming Backyard Baseball game? Notable past cover athletes have included Cal Ripken Jr., Mike Piazza, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, and David Ortiz.

Here are five strong contenders.

Shohei Ohtani, DH, Los Angeles Dodgers

It’s indisputable that Shohei Ohtani is revolutionizing Major League Baseball (MLB), unlike any single player before him.

Despite being out of pitching action since securing his $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, his offensive performance has more than compensated for this absence.

In a recent game, he hit a walk-off grand slam on his first pitch, making him one of just six players in history to achieve both 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases. Notably, he reached this milestone more than 20 games earlier than any player before him, suggesting that joining the exclusive 50/50 club (a term for players who reach 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases) may be achievable for him as well.

It’s intriguing to consider how Los Angeles might make use of his pitching abilities once he recovers and re-joins the starting rotation, given his impressive pitching statistics over the years with the Angels, which are almost deserving of a Cy Young Award discussion as a hitter.

The Backyard Baseball series is renowned for allowing players to customize their team lineups as they prefer. In the past, if you desired to have Alex Rodriguez pitch, you were free to do so. With Ohtani possibly joining the roster, this choice takes on a whole new dimension.

Juan Soto, OF, New York Yankees

While it’s strongly argued that Aaron Judge is currently embodying the New York Yankees, we’ve decided to spotlight their significant offseason acquisition, Juan Soto, as our chosen representative instead.

As a devoted fan, it’s uncertain if he will continue donning the Yankee cap past the 2024 season, but one thing is clear – regardless of whether he finds his home in the Bronx, Queens, or another city beyond New York after that, he has undeniably solidified himself as a generational talent.

This player has been a strong candidate for four Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards so far, which becomes five if we include the 2024 season. Remarkably, he’s just 25 years old. He was part of the World Series-winning Washington Nationals team, and his addition to the Yankees’ lineup in 2024 seemed to ignite a transformation from one of the worst seasons the franchise has experienced in recent decades, a year ago.

By joining the team, he has made Major League Baseball’s most triumphant franchise a bona fide contender for the World Series once more, a title that hasn’t been applicable for quite some time.

It’s possible that they might outperform the Houston Astros during their journey, an accomplishment he previously had experience with five years ago when he was with Washington.

Paul Skenes, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Approximately half a dozen games after being promoted to the Pittsburgh Pirates from their Triple-A team Indianapolis in May, Paul Skenes found himself ranked third among favorites to win the NL Cy Young Award, trailing Chris Sale of Atlanta and Zach Wheeler from Philadelphia based on betting odds at most prominent sportsbooks.

And for good reason(s).

Born in Fullerton, California, this energetic 22-year-old player has made a significant impact on the league ever since he joined. Remarkably, his stats for a team not typically recognized for offering ample run support have been nothing short of extraordinary.

Despite arriving late in the season and not officially being labeled as a “qualified” pitcher, his earned run average (ERA) is significantly lower – nearly half a run – compared to that of pitchers like Sale, Wheeler, and the current MLB leader, Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers.

Skenes is more than just the top choice for a Pittsburgh Pirates representative in the latest Backyard Baseball game; he’s also a strong contender for the cover athlete. He has the ability to shine brightly not only in this new Backyard Sports franchise but also in real life, for many years to come.

Gunnar Henderson, SS, Baltimore Orioles 

In terms of top MLB teams boasting homegrown players in their lineup, it’s hard to find a stronger contender than the Baltimore Orioles right now, with little debate on this point.

After numerous years marked by struggles, following the notorious Zach Britton playoff game incident (a topic usually avoided), it’s invigorating to witness this team thriving once more, after such a swift transformation.

Despite stars like Adley Rutschman and Anthony Santander garnering recognition, it’s Gunnar Henderson who has primarily driven the Baltimore team’s lineup. This team is currently in a strong position that could potentially lead them to their first World Series in over forty years, with Henderson being a significant factor in this promising scenario.

In the year following his AL Rookie of the Year win, he also received MVP votes and was awarded the Silver Slugger Award. His second year has been even more prolific. Achieving postseason success in 2024 after last year’s ALDS sweep would significantly reinforce the 22-year-old from Montgomery, Alabama as a vital cornerstone of the franchise.

Though his initial Home Run Derby as the top contender wasn’t one he’d remember fondly, it’s safe to say his personality would make him an ideal choice for the Backyard Baseball game.

Ronald Acuna Jr., OF, Atlanta Braves

Over the past four seasons, Ronald Acuna Jr. has had to cope with two significant knee injuries that ended his season, yet when he’s in top form, he outshines every other player on the field at any given time.

In the year 2021, he was on track to win the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, but then he sustained a torn ACL and played only a limited number of games. The following year in 2022, his performance was restricted due to the injury. However, in the year 2023, he put up an exceptional performance that broke records, earning him a unanimous NL MVP award. This remarkable season saw him joining the exclusive 40/70 club by hitting 41 home runs and stealing 73 bases.

As a baseball enthusiast, I can proudly say that my stolen base count this year is the highest since Jose Reyes swiped 78 bags back in 2007. Moreover, it’s only the fourth time in this millennium that a player has managed to steal at least 70 bases. The other three players who achieved this feat collectively hit just 32 home runs during their 70-steal seasons.

For Acuna, similar to Gunnar Henderson, what’s yet to be achieved is a taste of postseason victory. Although the Braves clinched the World Series in 2021, his season was cut short due to injury, and they failed to secure a postseason series win in either 2022 or 2023 despite earning a first-round bye on both occasions.

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2024-08-30 14:29