Why MLB The Show '23 selection of Marlins' Jazz Chisholm as cover of video game was met with debate

Not everyone likes Jazz.

On Monday, Marlins infielder (soon to be outfielder) Jazz Chisholm was selected as the next cover athlete for the long-running, critically acclaimed baseball video game series. Chisholm became the 17th player to grace the box art, and the first Miami (or Florida) Marlin to make it to the front:

Let’s get it! My spark can't be contained. ⚡️🤟🏾 #MLBTheShow #OwnTheShow #Ad #MLBTSPartner pic.twitter.com/Ez3ypzgHXr

— Jazz Chisholm Jr (@j_chisholm3) January 30, 2023

Being picked as the cover athlete for a sports game is, unequivocally, one of the coolest honors that can be bestowed upon a pro athlete, whether it's "The Show," "Madden" or otherwise. Consider this a massive win for Chisholm — but some baseball fans weren't too pleased with the coronation.

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Some compared the selection to one-year wonder, Browns running back Peyton Hillis, earning the cover nod for "Madden '12." Others felt that he was the "least deserving" player to land on the cover of a sports game:

I know Jazz Chisolm is a young, up-and-coming star. Still, he is EASILY the most underwhelming cover athlete from an accomplishment standpoint since Peyton Hillis (much respect to him because he is a freakin hero in REAL LIFE), but this is a video game tweet. #MLBTheShow

— Brian Mazique (@UniqueMazique) January 30, 2023

Major Peyton Hillis Madden cover vibes. Dude played 60 games last year LOL https://t.co/zszGayd4Wi

— Jim Russell (@JimRussellSD) January 30, 2023

I’m a fan of Jazz Chisholm… BUT he might be the worst player in all of professional sports to grace the cover of a sports video game https://t.co/p1fZY3KKXR

— Mismatch (@MismatchSports) January 30, 2023

Classic MLB… “let’s go with our 73rd best player for the cover of our video game.” https://t.co/kanijvVyKc

— Joe Osborne (@JTFOz) January 30, 2023

I will always buy the game no matter who's on the cover. With that said, Jazz is the least deserving player to ever grace the cover. Look at his resume. He had a great *60* games in 2022. Nothing great before that. At least have one full, great season. https://t.co/iVQyaw479j

— Brendan Q (@BrendanQ_1999) January 30, 2023

I like Jazz, he's a great player and great for the game... but, seriously? He hasn't been able to stay healthy playing in just 205 games so far. Plus, it's not like Miami is big in the baseball world. Would love to see him dominate this year, but it just seems like an odd choice https://t.co/FqDa1ubFsf

— SoDo Mojo (@SodoMojoFS) January 30, 2023

Needless to say, there are a few issues with the complaints.

Chisholm did play in just 60 games last season, as he was sidelined with a back injury that kept him out the entirety of the second half. Before the injury, though, Chisholm was on pace for a roughly ~6 bWAR season, which would have been his best, most productive year in his young career.

Chisholm belted 14 home runs in 60 games, with his career high 18 over 120 games the season before, along with a 139 OPS+. That mark was also a career high.

That said, Chisholm doesn't have a particularly long track record of success, or the single-season impact that other recent cover stars like Fernando Tatis Jr. (on the cover in 2021) or Shohei Ohtani (2022) which have had. That might be the case, but it's clear that "The Show" people want a player who plays with gusto, flash and showcases personality in a big, big way. In that facet, Chisholm is the right guy — and a perfect face for the franchise and for baseball moving forward.

He might not have the lengthy resume, but the breakout is coming, and the folks over at "MLB: The Show" are calling their shot.

List of 'MLB: The Show' cover athletes

With Chisholm entering the fray, there have been 17 different cover athletes to make it onto the front of the long-running baseball video game series.

Here they are: