Jazz Chisholm, the Bahamian-born Miami Marlins infielder-turned-outfielder is the latest player to be featured on the cover of Sony Entertainment’s popular video game MLB The Show.
“It’s something I always dreamed of from when I was a kid,” Chisholm said Monday in a live stream on MLB’s YouTube channel, “but I never thought it would become a reality as quickly as it has.”
MLB The Show 23 will be released March 28 – two days before MLB’s opening day – and will be available on all popular video game platforms.
Chisholm, 24, is entering his fourth MLB season and will be moving from second base to center field this season.
Who is Jazz Chisholm?
Jazz Chisholm Jr. was born Feb. 1, 1998 in Nassau, Bahamas, and was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015 as an international free agent. He was traded to the Marlins at the trade deadline in 2019 for pitcher Zac Gallen.
Known for his aggressive play and stylish looks on the field, Chisholm was a first-time All-Star in 2022.
“I’m sure the kids are gonna love it,” Chisholm recently told the AP. “Every time I look around seeing kids with blue hair, wearing the jersey. I feel like this is gonna be good for the culture.”
In four seasons with the Marlins, he posted a .243/.305/.449 slash line with 34 home runs and 37 stolen bases in 205 career games. However, his 2022 season was limited to just 60 games due to a stress fracture in his back and a torn meniscus in his knee. Before the injury, he was hitting .254 with 14 homers, 45 RBI and 12 steals.
Why is Jazz Chisholm changing positions?
Chisholm has been exclusively an infielder during his pro career, playing 164 games at second base and 46 at shortstop. He appeared in 60 games for the Marlins last season, all at second base.
However, with the addition of free agent Jean Segura and the acquisition of Luis Arraez in a trade with the Minnesota Twins, the Marlins now have a surplus of infielders on the major league roster.
Marlins GM Kim Ng said Segura will play third base with Arraez at second. Due to Chisholm’s athleticism, the team believes he can make the transition to center field despite his limited experience there.
Who else has been on the cover of MLB The Show?
Chisholm’s selection continues a trend of talented young stars on the cover of MLB The Show. The most recent selections:
- 2022: Shohei Ohtani, Angels
- 2021: Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres
- 2020: Javier Baez, Cubs
- 2019: Bryce Harper, Phillies
- 2018: Aaron Judge, Yankees
What other Miami athletes have been video game cover subjects?
Shaquille O’Neal has appeared on two main NBA 2K covers for the Heat, joining LeBron James who appeared on one for Miami. O’Neal and Dwyane Wade each appeared on one legend edition cover as well.
Wei-Yin Chen, who pitched for the Marlins from 2016-2019, was The Show’s cover athlete for the Taiwanese version in 2016 and 2017 with the Marlins.
The NHL 97 video game cover featured goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck, who played for the Panthers from 1993-1998.
Contributing: The Associated Press
