Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees outfielder, has been named the cover athlete for MLB The Show 26. The announcement came on Tuesday from San Diego Studio, the game's developer. This marks the second time Judge appears on the cover, a feat shared only with Hall of Famer Joe Mauer. The game comes out on March 17, with early access for some players starting March 13.
Background
Judge first landed on the cover in 2018, right after his breakout rookie season in 2017. That year, he hit 52 home runs and won the American League Rookie of the Year award. The game captured him in his Yankees pinstripes, bat in hand. Now, at age 33, Judge has built an even bigger resume. He has won the AL MVP award three times, including the last two seasons and one earlier. Last year alone, he hit 53 home runs, drove in 114 runs, and led the league with a .331 batting average.
His path started in high school in California, where he worked hard every day to improve. From there, he went to Fresno State before entering the majors. Judge holds the AL record for most home runs in a single season with 62, set back in 2022. He has made seven All-Star teams and earned five Silver Slugger awards for his hitting. This year, he will captain Team USA in the World Baseball Classic in March, his first time playing in that tournament.
Judge grew up playing MLB The Show games. As a kid, he waited each March for the new release and begged his parents to take him to the store. Last Thanksgiving, he found about 50 unopened copies of the 2018 game at his parents' house in California. Seeing himself on the cover still gives him chills.
Key Details
The new cover art shows Judge in his Yankees uniform, with his Team USA jersey in the background. It also nods to his high school days in California and his time at Fresno State. This design tells the story of his full career so far. Judge said the artwork surprised him with how much of his life it includes.
"The cover they have for this year is going to be pretty special," Judge said. "Kind of has a lot of different ties to different parts of my life."
The game focuses on 'The Journey,' much like Judge's own path. Players start from high school and work toward a Hall of Fame career. San Diego Studio picked Judge because his drive matches that theme. He visited the studio in 2018 for motion capture, where they scanned his swing and walk-up. He says the game's version of his swing looks even better than his real one.
Game Release and Features
MLB The Show 26 hits stores on March 17. Those who pre-order the digital deluxe edition get it four days early on March 13. The game will be on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. It includes modes like Diamond Dynasty, where the Team USA uniform might play a role. Developers also announced new apparel with HOMAGE, including a t-shirt featuring Judge. They made sizes for kids too.
Judge has spent all 10 of his MLB seasons with the Yankees. He signed a big contract extension there, keeping him in pinstripes for years. His stats last season included 124 walks, the most in the AL, and a slash line of .331/.457/.688. That performance earned him his third MVP.
"Getting to do it twice is special," Judge said. "I'd love to do it a third time, but I know there's going to be a lot of other guys out there that are going to don that cover."
He keeps unopened copies of the 2018 game at homes in New York, Florida, and California. Every time he sees the cover, he has to remind himself it's real.
What This Means
Judge becoming the second player to appear on the cover twice sets him apart in baseball and gaming history. Joe Mauer did it in 2010 and 2011, but no one else has matched that. It shows how Judge's stardom crosses into pop culture. Fans who don't follow baseball closely will see his face on store shelves and online.
For younger players, Judge on the cover builds a bridge. Kids at his All Rise Foundation camps spot him from the game. They play as him and feel connected, even if they can't attend many real games. This reach helps grow baseball's next generation.
The choice highlights Judge's consistency. Winning MVP three times in four years, plus his home run records, makes him a safe pick. It also ties into the World Baseball Classic hype. As captain, he leads Team USA, and the cover boosts that storyline.
Gamers get a fresh take on career modes that mirror real paths like Judge's. From high school to majors, the game lets players chase similar glory. Judge's return signals MLB The Show's trust in proven stars. He joked he asked his agent to push for a cover spot every year, inspired by Tiger Woods on golf games.
His impact goes beyond stats. With 46 multi-home run games in his career, Judge rewrites records. The cover spot cements his place among all-time greats. For the Yankees, it spotlights their captain heading into another season. Baseball fans and gamers alike will follow how he performs after this honor.
