10 MLB players popularized by MLB the Show

With the next release in the MLB The Show video game coming out this week, many people find themselves trying to figure out how to format their team early on with all the new content.

This grind becomes somewhat of a tradition for players who buy the new game every year.

Over the years there have been countless players who have not necessarily been the greatest in real life, but in the game have been seen as superstars for the way they play in the game. Here are ten players who fit that mold and have gone down within video game history.

No. 1 Edward Cabrera

Anyone who played MLB The Show 21 knows how nasty this future stars card was when it came out. Many people still make the joke that they have nightmares about this card in the game, myself included.

In real life, Cabrera has posted a career 4.32 era, which is not awful, but definitely nowhere compared to the effectiveness he had in that year's video game.

No. 2 Adalberto Mondesí

In MLB The Show 20, Mondesí was given a player of the month card for his performance during September of that year. The card featured maxed out hitting attributes against left handed pitching and of course his electric speed.

He was also always a popular card to draft in the battle royale game mode across multiple iterations of the game.

Despite his infamous history within MLB The Show, Mondesí only has a career .248 average and 38 career home runs, making it very confusing how his card in the game every year seemed to have so much power.

No. 3 Henry Davis

The former number one overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates once held promise within the organization, but unfortunately had a slow start and currently serves as the backup catcher behind Joey Bart.

In MLB The Show 22, his debut went a lot better, with a future stars card that quickly became a lot of players starting catcher on their teams. With a lot of potential, Davis could one day live up to the hype the MLB The Show community has given.

No. 4 Pedro Álvarez

Álvarez is a former all star and silver slugger, being one of the more solid players on this list. However, these awards don’t live up to even half the legacy this man built within MLB The Show 19. His silver all star card was a must draft in battle royale for his combination of a smooth swing and serious power.

No. 5 Gavin Sheets

The former White Sox outfielder and designated hitter is now with the San Diego Padres after playing four years in Chicago with a career .230 average, 46 home runs and well below average fielding.

In MLB The Show 21, he had a topps now card that hit extremely well thanks to his high hitting attributes and pure lefty swing. Hopefully he can find the success he had in that year's game this year in real life for the Padres.

No. 6 Mickey Jannis

The knuckleball pitcher has struck fear into every player of the game at least once. There is no feeling like loading into a game with your full diamond team just to get carved up by a common pitcher just because he throws a broken pitch. In real life Jannis has a career 18.90 era, extremely far from the success he has had in the video game world.

No. 7 Ryan Feierabend

Before Jannis came this man right here. Feierabend found success within MLB The Show for the same exact reason, his knuckleball. In the league, has put up a career era of 7.34, better then Jannis but not enough to stay in the league as he has not pitched in the MLB since 2019.

No. 8 Munetaka Murakami

The Japanese slugger went viral in both MLB The Show 23 and in the most recent World Baseball Classic. Murakami in both was known for his ability to hit the ball to all parts of the field with serious power.

Next year he should land a contract to play in the MLB, which will be good for baseball fans and those who play MLB The Show, because he will be back in the game if he were to sign for a major league team.

No. 9 Jordan Groshans

The former Toronto Blue Jays prospect had a future stars card in MLB The Show 21 that played well above its attributes being a fan favorite when he got in the game.

However his success in real life has not reflected his performance in the game like most on this list, being traded to the Miami Marlins in 2022 and only hitting .262 in 61 at bats.

Groshans is now in the New York Yankees system and is looking to find his footing with what is now his third team in four years.

No. 10 Brett Baty

Baty was a highly hyped Mets prospect, who even started his major league career with a home run in his debut against the Atlanta Braves. Since then he has not really put everything together, seeing his fair share of struggles heading into season number four.

Baty had a really great future stars card in MLB The Show 22 however, being a great option at third base for many or even corner outfield.

With the new game just being released, there are for sure going to be new cards that could join this list. As someone who plays their fair share of the game every year, I for one am excited to see who stands out in this next year of the games life cycle.

Charles Wesolowski is a first-year majoring in journalism. To contact him, email cjw6772@psu.edu.