Marlins' Chisholm named MLB The Show cover athlete

Miami Marlins star Jazz Chisholm Jr. will be on the cover of MLB The Show 23.

"As a kid, I always wanted to be on the cover of MLB the Show," Chisholm told The Associated Press. "So it means almost just like winning the MVP in a sense. You get to live out your childhood dream."

Chisholm, 24, has been a second baseman over his three MLB seasons so far, but is preparing to move to center field for the upcoming campaign after being displaced in the infield by offseason additions Jean Segura and Luis Arraez.

At the time of Arraez's acquisition, Chisholm pledged he would shift to outfield to "play the position and win a Gold Glove." During the cover reveal, he doubled down, suggesting he could become a top-five outfielder in one offseason.

"I had Ken Griffey Jr., who was a real idol to a lot of guys all over," Chisholm said. "Not just to baseball fans. He was an idol to basketball players, football players, guys in every sport, and that's how I want to be too. Not just known as a baseball player but just known as an athlete that everybody can look up to."

An All-Star for the first time last year, Chisholm is one of the most electrifying young stars in the sport. He was having a breakout season before suffering a back injury in late June and missing the remainder. Over 60 games, he hit .254/.325/.535 with 14 homers and 12 steals. For his career, he boasts a .754 OPS with 34 home runs and 37 stolen bases in 205 games over three years.

Last year's cover athlete was 2021 AL MVP and two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani. This past season's AL MVP, Aaron Judge, was the cover athlete for the 2018 edition.