One player from each MLB team for the new Backyard Baseball game

As a lifelong baseball fan who’s seen more than my fair share of games, I must say that compiling this list has been quite a journey down memory lane. It’s fascinating to see how some players have evolved over time and others have emerged as new talents.

For a long time, fans have been eagerly waiting and requesting, and now it’s official: the beloved Backyard Sports franchise is making a comeback! Playground Productions has announced that they plan to reintroduce the video game series within the next few months, along with merchandise, films, and television programs related to Backyard Sports.

Between 1997 and 2010, a total of 36 Backyard Sports games were published, covering sports like baseball, soccer, football, basketball, hockey, and skateboarding. Two mobile apps followed in 2015, but for many fans, the current wait, which Playground Productions has promised to end, dates back to 2010.

Among all sports, baseball has garnered the most attention since the announcement that a famous team, initially created by Humongous Entertainment, is making a comeback. The original game was Backyard Baseball, and baseball was the main theme in one of the two titles released in 2010 to conclude the initial 14-year run.

Since the debut of Backyard Baseball 2001, real Major League Baseball players have made appearances in the game. However, similar to other installments of the Backyard Sports series that include professional athletes, these slots are scarce and share space with the endearing Backyard Kids characters.

In this upcoming season, we might see a representative from every Major League Baseball team. To kick things off, let’s explore the National League East division:

National League East

Atlanta Braves: Ronald Acuna Jr., OF

It’s widely agreed that Ronald Acuna Jr. is one of the top players in Major League Baseball when he stays healthy. He was on track for a Most Valuable Player season in 2021, but a torn ACL halted his progress. In 2023, he joined an exclusive club by hitting 40 home runs and stealing 70 bases, and he won the MVP award without any dissenting votes.

Miami Marlins: Sandy Alcantara, SP

Despite the Miami Marlins having few standout moments following their trade of Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the New York Yankees, let’s focus on the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner, who has yet to take the field in the 2024 season.

New York Mets: Pete Alonso, 1B

Why exclude the Polar Bear from the game, given that Backyard Baseball has historically included a Home Run Derby mode? Pete Alonso, an adored power hitter, has consistently performed exceptionally well since his record-breaking 53-home run rookie season in 2019.

Philadelphia Phillies: Bryce Harper, 1B

In 11 seasons, Bryce Harper has yet to secure a playoff series victory, with his squad falling short in their last two postseason attempts at capturing the World Series title. However, he remains the cornerstone for a team recognized for recruiting top talent from various other clubs across the league.

Washington Nationals: Luis Garcia Jr., 2B

Five years on from winning their initial World Series, the Washington Nationals find themselves in a phase of rebuilding, with Luis Garcia Jr., a promising young talent, emerging as a cornerstone they can further develop.

National League Central

Chicago Cubs: Shota Imanaga, SP

Shota Imanaga, an unsung Japanese talent, has been one of the standout players in the 2024 season, which boasts numerous breakthrough performers from Japan. I truly wish the creators of Backyard Baseball could incorporate the audio from his opening press conference, “Go Cubs Go,” into their game.

Cincinnati Reds: Elly De La Cruz, SS

Elly De La Cruz stands out as a natural phenomenon, and he’s an essential figure that the Cincinnati Reds should consider as a cornerstone for years to come. His stolen base count significantly surpasses the second-highest by over 50%, and we’re already in late August.

Milwaukee Brewers: William Contreras, C

In 2024, despite predictions that his team would regress, William Contreras has proven himself to be an exceptional and reliable catcher among the league’s elite, propelling them into contention for the National League title.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Paul Skenes, SP

In May, Paul Skenes made quite an impact on Major League Baseball after being promoted from Triple-A. It took just over a handful of starts for him to become one of the top three betting favorites for the National League’s Cy Young Award. His skills suggest a promising career that could last for years.

St. Louis Cardinals: Alec Burleson, OF

Amongst the experienced power hitters Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado leading the way, it’s rookie Alec Burleson who has stepped up to become the St. Louis Cardinals’ top long-range menace.

National League West

Arizona Diamondbacks: Ketel Marte, 2B

Ketel Marte has consistently been an underestimated star within Major League Baseball. However, he significantly raised his profile with a historic playoff hitting streak last year that propelled the Arizona Diamondbacks to their first World Series in over two decades. Apart from Shohei Ohtani, Marte’s 2024 season appears to be deserving of the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

Colorado Rockies: Brenton Doyle, OF

During his second year in major league baseball, Brenton Doyle has emerged as one of the rare sources of positivity for a Colorado Rockies team short on players. He’s been delivering both raw power and lightning-fast speed to the team.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani, DH

There is simply nobody like Shohei Ohtani. He has top-tier power, top-tier speed, evidenced by becoming the sixth player in the 40 homer/40 steal club (and the earliest to do so in a season), and though he hasn’t pitched in 2024, he has proven his worth as an elite pitcher during his time in the league. He is the face of MLB at the moment, and that might not change until he retires.

San Diego Padres: Fernando Tatis Jr., OF

Fernando Tatis Jr., a promising young player, hasn’t quite managed a complete season so far, either because of injuries or suspensions. Nevertheless, he remains a vital pillar for the San Diego Padres team, which seems primed to triumph in the present, and he continues to rank among baseball’s top-tier talents.

San Francisco Giants: Blake Snell, SP

Although Logan Webb has consistently pitched well for the San Francisco Giants, I’m opting for the top pitcher whose initial win in the Bay Area was a no-hitter. By the way, unlike the Rays fans who might have hoped he would be taken out in the sixth inning, he wasn’t.

American League East

Baltimore Orioles: Gunnar Henderson, SS

Gunnar Henderson, one of the team’s faces, played a significant role in the influx of local talent that revitalized a Baltimore Orioles squad that appeared hopeless only two and a half years ago. He has been instrumental in the Orioles’ comeback and is a versatile player who would be tough to resist in a Backyard Baseball game.

Boston Red Sox: Rafael Devers, 3B

Rafael Devers hasn’t received enough credit for his outstanding and reliable hitting skills with the Boston Red Sox throughout recent years, and including him in the game Backyard Baseball might alter this situation.

New York Yankees: Juan Soto, OF

As a gaming enthusiast, I found myself pitted against Aaron Judge and Juan Soto – quite the match-up! While Judge might be the go-to choice, Soto’s youthful energy and potential departure from the Bronx after 2024 makes him an intriguing pick. Plus, he’s got that World Series ring on his finger! His return to the Yankees’ roster in 2024 has breathed new life into a team that struggled in 2023.

Tampa Bay Rays: Ryan Pepiot, SP

The Tampa Bay franchise lacks significant star talent, particularly since trading away Randy Arozarena, and though this didn’t hinder their postseason appearances from 2019 to 2023, it might do so in 2024. Instead, let’s focus on an underdog in the making – Ryan Pepiot, the pitcher who transitioned from relief work to starting and had a remarkable debut season with the Rays.

Toronto Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B

There’s a sense of nostalgia when discussing adding the son of another MLB legend you once played with into some classic Backyard Baseball games. However, Vladimir Jr., or Vladdy for short, is carving out his own impressive career and that achievement alone makes him worthy to represent Toronto in the new game.

American League Central

Chicago White Sox: Garrett Crochet, SP

At the trading deadline, Garrett Crochet was highly sought-after, but remarkably, the Chicago White Sox kept both him and Luis Robert Jr. on their roster. Such a move signifies a maximum commitment for a team that frequently experiences multiple consecutive losses amounting to double digits.

Cleveland Guardians: Jose Ramirez, 3B

For over ten years, Jose Ramirez has been a prominent figure in Cleveland’s baseball scene, be it Indians or Guardians. He recently achieved an impressive milestone in his career by notching his second season with both 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases.

Detroit Tigers: Tarik Skubal, SP

Man, it’s been a minute since the Detroit Tigers have caused a stir in the AL Central. Yet, this season, I find myself rooting for rookie pitcher Tarik Skubal to clinch the Cy Young Award in the American League.

Kansas City Royals: Bobby Witt Jr., SS

The 2024 season has underscored why the team, which had largely faded from relevance since its unexpected back-to-back World Series appearances a decade ago, made significant investments in Bobby Witt Jr. He could potentially prevent Aaron Judge from claiming the Triple Crown, and it seems the Kansas City Royals are poised to be an unexpected playoff contender yet again.

Minnesota Twins: Royce Lewis, 3B

Royce Lewis tends to fly under the spotlight due to his frequent injuries throughout his initial career span, however, his contribution to the Minnesota Twins team elevates them into contenders. He may not garner as much media attention as others, but his performance that suggests a season-long average is reminiscent of an MVP candidate.

American League West

Houston Astros: Yordan Alvarez, OF

Observing the Houston Astros’ journey to the 2019 World Series, where they fell short against the Washington Nationals, I found myself reflecting on how Jose Altuve mirrors Pablo Sanchez in a literal sense. It seems that the universe of Backyard Baseball may not be prepared for two Pablo Sanchezes, so let’s refer to Yordan Alvarez instead – the 2022 World Series Game 6 standout who has consistently ranked among the most productive hitters in baseball season after season.

Los Angeles Angels: Mike Trout, OF

Despite being potentially beyond his peak years and having experienced setbacks due to injuries that affected his on-field performance, Mike Trout remains a key inclusion because of the countless Backyard Baseball games he would have featured in if the game had never stopped production. Regardless, he is still widely considered as one of the greatest players of this era.

Oakland Athletics: Brent Rooker, OF

Who besides some might recall jesting about the futuristic (yet-to-be-determined) city A’s graphic featuring Brent Rooker batting .303? Remarkably, he has since boosted his batting average by over 40 points annually and now ranks among the top 10 hitters overall in baseball.

Seattle Mariners: Julio Rodriguez, OF

2024 hasn’t been Julio Rodriguez’s most successful year compared to his initial seasons in the league, but he remains a promising young player that the Seattle Mariners think could propel them towards their higher aspirations as they strive to outdo their longtime rivals, the Houston Astros.

Texas Rangers: Adolis Garcia, OF

Adolis Garcia’s impressive performance during the playoffs last year earned him Texas Rangers legend status, especially considering the strong lineup we had. Although the 2024 season hasn’t been kind to our team, the fans certainly won’t forget it anytime soon. Furthermore, with a World Series ring on his finger, I doubt he will either.

2024-08-31 14:28