5 players who deserved MLB The Show 23 cover more than Jazz Chisholm

May 6, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; Miami Marlins second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2) gestures towards the Marlins dugout after hitting a single during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

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Julio Rodriguez named AL Rookie of the Year

Sep 22, 2022; Oakland, California, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez (44) reacts after hitting a double against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

5 players who deserved MLB The Show 23 cover more than Jazz Chisholm, No. 2: Aaron Judge, Yankees

Like Ohtani, New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge has already been on the cover of MLB The Show. But, Judge brought eyes to televisions, tablets and phones this past season due in part to his chase for 62 home runs.

In his contract year, Judge was on pace to break the American League’s single-season home run record set by Yankees great Roger Maris, who hit 61 back in the 1961 season. It looked as though Judge would break the record well ahead of the season’s end, but it was a battle for him after the All-Star break. But on Oct. 4, Judge hit his 62nd, record-breaking home run at Globe Life Field when the Yankees played the Texas Rangers.

Judge won the AL MVP award unanimously after leading all players in the league with 62 home runs, 111 walks, 131 RBI, 133 runs scored, a .425 on-base percentage, a .686 slugging percentage, a 1.111 OPS, a 211 OPS+, and 391 total bases.

The Yankees outfielder will be in the Bronx for the foreseeable future, as he signed a nine-year, $360 million contract this offseason. Judge really had a case to make it onto the cover of MLB The Show 23.

5 players who deserved MLB The Show 23 cover more than Jazz Chisholm, No. 1: Julio Rodriguez, Mariners

Julio Rodriguez will make it onto the cover of MLB The Show sooner rather than later. But did he ever make an impact in his very first major league season with the Seattle Mariners.

Gone are the days of sending down top prospects at the start of the season for service time manipulation. The Mariners knew Rodriguez was ready after spring training, and named him to the Opening Day roster. That decision paid off for the team, as he slashed .284/.342/.509 while recording 28 home runs, 75 RBI, 84 runs scored, and 145 hits in 132 games played.

Rodriguez made it to the All-Star Game in his first season, and won the AL Rookie of the Year award with 29-of-30 first-place votes.

The Mariners didn’t hesitate to ensure Rodriguez would be with the team throughout the prime of his career, signing him to a 10-year, $209.3 million contract extension.

Again, it will only be a matter of time until Rodriguez makes it onto the cover.

Next. Shohei Ohtani rumors: MLB Insider predictions for next season. dark

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