Why Juan Soto, Bobby Witt Jr., Tarik Skubal, and Cal Raleigh won’t be on MLB The Show 26 cover?

Juan Soto was one of the first names fans expected to see on the cover of MLB The Show 26. Instead, he became one of the biggest names left out. On Monday, January 2026, San Diego Studio, the developer of the game, announced that MLB The Show 26 will not feature any new cover athlete at all. The update was shared in an official message posted on the studio’s social platforms for fans around the world.The decision shocked baseball fans and gamers because it means stars like Juan Soto, Bobby Witt Jr., Tarik Skubal, and Cal Raleigh will not be on the cover this year, even after huge seasons in 2025. For a series that has shown a new face almost every year since 2006, this change stands out in a big way.In its message to fans, San Diego Studio said, “We wanted to let everyone know that this year, we have decided not to have a new cover athlete. Please stay tuned to all of our social channels for more information to come.” The studio did not name any player or give a full reason. The message made it clear this was a company choice, not a problem with any athlete.This announcement immediately ruled out Juan Soto, even after one of the best seasons of his career with the New York Mets in 2025. Soto played 160 games, hit 43 home runs, and became part of the 30–30 club during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. He also finished the season as the National League stolen base leader with 38 steals. Many fans felt his year made him a strong cover choice. Bobby Witt Jr. also missed out again. The Kansas City Royals star hit his 100th career home run last August against the Texas Rangers. With that swing, he became one of the fastest players in MLB history to reach 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases. He later won the Platinum Glove Award and ended the season with 23 home runs and 38 steals in 157 games. Still, no cover spot came his way.Tarik Skubal was another name many fans believed would be chosen. The Detroit Tigers pitcher was even rumored to be a top cover option. In September 2025, he struck out 14 batters against the Cleveland Guardians in AL Wild Card Game 1. Over the full season, he recorded 241 strikeouts in 195.1 innings, showing why many see him as one of baseball’s best pitchers right now.Then there is Cal Raleigh, the Seattle Mariners catcher, who had a season people will remember for a long time. In a game against the Colorado Rockies last September, Raleigh hit his 60th home run. That made him only the seventh player in MLB history to reach that mark in a single season. He finished 2025 leading the American League with 60 home runs and 125 RBIs.None of these four stars has ever been on the cover of MLB The Show. With the game choosing to go without a new cover athlete in 2026, that wait continues.