Elly De La Cruz MLB The Show cover snub should set him up for 2025

If you're a gamer, then you pay close attention this kind of stuff. While the Madden Cover curse appeared to be very real for several years, being front and center on a magazine or video game has always been something that athletes strive for.

MLB The Show has long been the most popular baseball video game available. MLB The Show 24 just put out this year's cover athlete, and it was revealed to be Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The Toronto Blue Jays star slugger is certainly worthy of consideration, but typically younger stars are a bigger part of the marketing campaign. Last year, Jazz Chisholm was on the cover of MLB The Show 23.

Cincinnati Reds' infielder Elly De La Cruz would've been perfect pick to usher in a new era of fans, but he'll just have to use the upcoming season as a springboard to appear on next year's cover.

Elly De La Cruz MLB The Show cover snub should set up the Reds' infielder for 2025

Now it's fair to be critical of De La Cruz's rookie campaign. The 22-year-old shook the baseball world to its very foundation upon his arrival in early-June. The Reds rookie was must-see TV, and seemed as though he was appearing on highlights every single night.

But De La Cruz lost his luster as the 2023 season moved along. The opposition was able to induce swings and misses at an alarming rate, and it appeared as though De La Cruz's struggles at the plate translated to the field as well. De La Cruz's fielding was flawless during the month of June, but he committed 13 miscues from July 1st to the end of the season.

But despite his shortcomings, De La Cruz was in the lineup on a nightly basis, and still possessed the electric ability to change the game in an instant. De La Cruz is lightning quick, has an elite arm, and enough power to hit the ball out of the ballpark. The Reds shortstop has an engaging personality and is exceedingly popular with young fans.

Elly De La Cruz is poised to shoulder the load heading into the 2024 season, along with many other young players who are on the Cincinnati Reds roster. Look for De La Cruz to be the player that Reds Country knows he can be and force his way onto the cover of MLB The Show 25 next year.