One player from each MLB team for the new Backyard Baseball game
By Asher Fair
American League East
Baltimore Orioles: Gunnar Henderson, SS
Speaking faces of franchises, Gunnar Henderson has been a part of a massive injection of homegrown talent into a Baltimore Orioles team that seemed like a lost cause just two and a half years ago. He has been at the forefront of the Orioles’ resurgence and is a do-it-all type player who would be hard to pass up in a Backyard Baseball game.
Boston Red Sox: Rafael Devers, 3B
Rafael Devers doesn’t get nearly the recognition he should for being one of the best and most consistent hitters in the league for the Boston Red Sox over the past few seasons. An inclusion in Backyard Baseball could help change that.
New York Yankees: Juan Soto, OF
It was Juan Soto vs. Aaron Judge here, and while Judge would have been the easy pick, Soto is the younger option and could very well leave the Bronx after 2024. He also has a World Series ring, and his presence in the Yankees’ 2024 lineup has sparked a significant resurgence after a down year in 2023.
Tampa Bay Rays: Ryan Pepiot, SP
Tampa Bay is another franchise short on true star power, especially after trading away Randy Arozarena, and while that didn’t keep them out of the postseason from 2019 to 2023, it probably will in 2024. So let’s go with a little bit of a dark horse in the reliever-turned-starter who has had an impressive first season with the Rays, Ryan Pepiot.
Toronto Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
There is a significant element of “feeling old” when you’re talking about including the son of another MLB legend you used to play with in some of the old Backyard Baseball games. But Vladdy is writing his own legacy, and that legacy is more than enough to include him as Toronto’s representative in the new game.