Backyard Baseball is finally making a comeback. For kids in the early 2000s, these games were great arcade sports games filled with a brilliant cast of colorful characters and great commentary. While certain characters like Kenny Kawaguchi and Pete Wheeler are great choices for your team, these games also featured real-world big leaguers who joined the game in kid form. None of them may have better stats than Pablo Sanchez, but they have the star power. Here are our choices for the top 10 current MLB players who should be in the new Backyard Baseball.
Top 10 Current MLB Players Who Should Be in Backyard Baseball
1. Shohei Ohtani
There isn’t a bigger name in the game currently than Shohei Ohtani, for good reason. Even in a year where the guy hasn’t thrown a pitch, he is a frontrunner for NL MVP as he chases 50 homeruns and 50 steals, a first in MLB history. He would make a perfect inclusion as a lefty slugger who could also be a hurler on the mound.
2. Bobby Witt Jr.
At just 24 years old, Bobby Witt Jr. is an easy finalist for MVP. If Aaron Judge weren’t close to hitting 60 home runs, he’d be an easy choice for the award. The kid does everything at a top-tier rate. He hits home runs, hits for average, steals bases, and plays a lockdown shortstop. In a league filled with young talent, Witt Jr. might be at the top of the class.
3. Aaron Judge
Aaron Judge has made a name for himself in New York as one of the best sluggers in the game today. He has surpassed 50 home runs in a season three times in his career and with a small home park like Yankee Stadium being where he plays half of his games, there is potential for more. He would be a good choice for max power stats and a cannon in the outfield.
4. Paul Skenes
Paul Skenes is one of the youngest and most promising pitchers in the MLB. He made his debut in May 2024, less than a year after the Pirates drafted him, and just two months later was starting the All-Star Game for the National League. Putting this MLB RHP on your Backyard Baseball team would add a pure bonafide ace starting your games.
5. Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper has had MLB star power since he debuted in the MLB at 19 years old in 2012. This lefty brings intensity to every game he is in, a trait that fans love him for. Even after making the move from the outfield to first base, Harper has shown there’s not much on the field he can’t excel at.
6. Ronald Acuña Jr.
A couple of debilitating leg injuries have taken Ronald Acuña Jr. away from the field for far too long, but he still is one of the most exciting players in the league. Just a year ago, he hit 41 home runs and stole 73 bases on his way to the MVP award. He might have had a rougher start to 2024 before his latest leg injury, but baseball is just better when you can see a talent like him on the field.
7. Mookie Betts
Mookie Betts could excel at anything he puts his mind to. Over his 11 years in the league, he has an almost .900 OPS and has led the majors in runs scored three times. Whether picking ground balls in the infield or running over the outfield, Betts is a tremendous defender. He’s pure talent and definitely belongs in Backyard Baseball.
8. Adley Rutschman
Playing catcher is often a thankless job in baseball. The position is very tough on the player’s body, and they have to put in an unending amount of work with the pitching staff while also maintaining their own offensive and defensive work. There is a short list of catchers who would be great for Backyard Baseball, but we would go with Adley Rutschman. We could hear the argument for J.T. Realmuto, but we would go with the young superstar for the Orioles.
9. Julio Rodriguez
Julio Rodriguez is another example of one of the best young talents in baseball. He’s a very good defensive center fielder and has endless potential when it comes to speed and power offensively. In just his third year in the league at 23 years old, Rodriguez has hit a total of over 70 home runs and stolen 80 bases. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get much help from the rest of the Mariners offensively, but he is sure to be a force in the league for years to come.
10. Juan Soto
Juan Soto isn’t much to marvel at in the field, but he might be the most pure hitter in the majors today. He hits for average and power while also taking his walks. Sota is an on-base machine. Plus, he’s got his iconic “Soto Shuffle” whenever he takes a pitch for a ball. If Backyard Baseball wants to work that into his animations, that would be fun.
