MLB The Show Names Shohei Ohtani Their Next Cover Man

San Diego Studios has announced that two-way Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani will be the cover man of MLB The Show 22. A huge yet obvious decision many fans have been waiting for.

So much for not being marketable when you can’t speak English, huh, Stephen A. Smith? This is why you should never take advice from anyone at ESPN.

Congratulations to once-in-a-generation talent Shohei Ohtani on being the cover athlete for MLB The Show 22. Pre-order now at https://t.co/LCivWAsdi4#MLBTheShow #OwnTheShow pic.twitter.com/mmpIFBDrdn

— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) January 31, 2022

Here’s the full reveal:

Putting Shohei Ohtani on the cover was the only correct answer.

Nailed it.#MLBTheShow| #MLB | #Angels pic.twitter.com/czXfSudm3g

— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) January 31, 2022

The 2021 American League MVP is doing everything he can to grow the sport of baseball, which makes this decision ideal. Mike Trout was in a situation to become the face of baseball a few years back, however it seemed like he didn’t want that responsibility. Trout seemed to focus more on performance, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Major League Baseball eventually turned to his teammate, Shohei Ohtani, to pique the interest of the younger generations. Throwing 100 miles an hour and launching balls deep into the seats on national television did the trick. Now MLB The Show is going all-in on the Japanese star — a perfect move that should have baseball fans stoked after the lockout.

Shohei Ohtani just graduated to the face of the sport. Doesn’t mean he’s the best player because that title still sits with Mike Trout, but Ohtani is absolutely the man to grow this game the way it was intended.

End your night with Shohei Ohtani's 5 longest homers of the season. pic.twitter.com/z831eqkrUZ

— MLB (@MLB) November 20, 2021