The wait is finally over and we officially have the release date for MLB The Show 23. SDS tapped MLB Network host Robert Flores and NBA superstar Donovan Mitchell to put on a pleasantly entertaining announcement livestream that did a great job building hype for the official cover athlete reveal.
We got some teaser art over the last several days to tease the cover athlete. It didn’t take long for the community to pretty much unanimously come to the conclusion that it could be only one player: Marlins sensation Jazz Chisholm Jr.
With Jazz being revealed as the cover athlete, we also learned when we can get our hands on MLB The Show 23.
MLB The Show 23 Release Date
As expected, MLB The Show 23 will be releasing on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox One Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch again this year (there remains no PC version). Back in December I wrote speculating that we might see The Show 23 earlier than we’ve seen the last couple iterations. I predicted a March 14 release date, expecting the game to settle back into the usual March timeframe. I missed the mark but only by a couple weeks.
Both the Standard Edition and Collector’s Edition of MLB The Show 23 will release on March 28, 2023. Last gen’s console version will be priced at $59.99 with current gen pricing at the new norm of $69.99. Pre-orders open on February 6.
Yankees’ icon Derek Jeter is finally back in MLB The Show as the cover athlete for the Collector’s Edition. With original art by artist Sanford Greene, Jeter’s return to the virtual diamond is as majestic as it should be. First revealed during an appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, SDS officially dropped all the details on February 2.
The Digital Deluxe and Captain Editions both retail for $99.99. The Digital Deluxe is loaded with packs, stubs, other in-game goodies, and is the perfect option for DD fanatics who will be looking to crack packs during midnight launch. The Captain Edition features a gorgeous steelbook with the cover art and also comes with a New Era MLB The Show 9FIFTY Limited Edition Cap.
It is worth pointing out, however, that the physical Captain Edition comes with significantly fewer packs and stubs than the Digital Deluxe. Notably, one of the included packs is the Captain’s Choice Pack that will be loaded with team captains. It remains to be seen what that might entail, but it might provide players the option of picking other popular legends to begin their DD team-building process. Of course, it also likely features a Derek Jeter card to begin the Captain’s DD journey in earnest.
Early Access also returns exclusively for those purchasing the Captain or Digital Deluxe Editions and launches on March 24. If you’re looking for an early jump on the competition, Early Access gives you four days before the general public to build up your squad and Stub balance.
MLB The Show 23 featured the traditional Tech Test, which allowed players a chance to try out the game in beta form and provide valuable feedback. The Tech Test ran from February 15 to February 21. I spoke about my time with the Tech Test and the optimism it generated right here.
Game Modes
The Negro Leagues (Storylines)
The Negro Leagues are finally coming to MLB The Show in an historic partnership with The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. MLB The Show 23 will feature a brand new game experience dubbed Storylines and will feature eight of the most prominent Negro League players in Season One. SDS will also donate $1 to the museum for every MLB The Show 23 Collector’s Edition sold in the United States. That includes the Digital Deluxe and Captain Editions.
While we don’t have the full details on what Storylines will be, it’s easy to speculate that this might be similar to player programs from the past. Specially-curated moments detailing a player’s career has been a go-to for SDS and this very well might be what Storylines ends up being. SDS announced that each MLB The Show release will be a “season” and will bring along new legends in each release. It remains to be seen if we get any other Negro League legends in traditional Diamond Dynasty releases this year, but the announced legends are Hilton Smith, Jackie Robinson, Martín Dihigo, Rube Foster, Buck O’Neil, Hank Thompson, Satchel Paige, and John Donaldson.
The importance and impact of this news cannot be understated, not only because we get amazing baseball players to enjoy in our usual ways, but their inclusion is yet another step towards fully integrating the Negro Leagues into MLB history. I’ve longed for a true “historical” mode that uses the lore of MLB with archival footage to showcase the history of the sport. While I can’t say for certain that’s what Storylines will be, what I can say is this news has cranked my hype for MLB The Show 23 into overdrive.
Diamond Dynasty
Captain Cards are another new addition to MLB The Show 23. According to SDS, we can “designate a position player and a pitching captain for our lineup for the first time ever and unlock powerful in-game boosts by meeting criteria unique to these players.” These are still a work-in-progress but will unlock the ability to use various theme teams that are made more powerful by these Captains.
Mini Seasons 2.0 brings a revamped approach to Mini Seasons. We’ll still have the ability to play as we did last year, but we’re also getting theme seasons this year. The example featured in the feature premiere described a “lefties only” style format that will really change up your Mini Seasons run. We’re also getting some cool changes like the CPU teams getting unique stadiums as opposed to recycling previously existing stadiums. We’re also going to see stat tracking and a lot more in Mini Seasons 2.0
Ranked Co-Op takes the traditional Ranked Seasons format and adds up to 5 other players to the mix. After debuting last year, Ranked Co-Op is bringing a divisional rewards ladder with it identical to Solo Ranked Seasons. You’ll be able to queue up with anyone at anytime regardless of your individual skill ratings. You’ll also have the chance to earn 3x the usual World Series rewards as Solo Ranked, Ranked Co-Op and the Ranked Program all pay out the same rewards.
Team Affinity is returning in MLB The Show 23! We don’t have the full details yet, but the return of Team Affinity is sure to be a home run with the Diamond Dynasty community. Stay tuned as we’ll update this post with information as it comes out.
The World Baseball Classic
For the first time ever, the World Baseball Classic will be featured in MLB The Show 23. With the promise of 100+ international players, including MLB players, Diamond Dynasty will be infused with one of the biggest content drops in history.
We know we’re getting a World Baseball Classic Program at launch with uniforms, bat skins, and player items among the grindable goodies. We’ll also have a chance to play with international players like Roki Sasaki that have taken the baseball world by storm. Between the international uniforms, bat skins, and all the flashback cards we’ll have access to, the World Baseball Classic’s addition to MLB The Show 23 is incredible.
Franchise Mode
After disappointing the masses with an incredibly short Road to the Show feature, SDS responded with a nearly two-hour look at franchise mode. Overall, the MLB Draft was completely revamped in franchise mode, including more variety in players as well as all the updated CBA rules. Presentation is also getting some really cool updates including team intros, pregame flyovers, and stadium exterior shots. Presentation being done well adds heavily to the immersion factor, and from what SDS showed off in this premiere, it’s all good stuff.
We got the usual promise of improved CPU and trade logic, but it’s going to take some time after release to really test that claim. Still nothing in the way of an Expansion Mode, online franchise mode returning, or more expansive options in franchise mode in general. But hardcore players should enjoy the updated CBA rules and revamped draft to bring added realism to their franchises.
Road To The Show
To the surprise of no one, Road to the Show returns in MLB The Show 23. Disappointingly, the mode isn’t really getting a lot of love this year. SDS showed off the new Ballplayer Hub, which is basically a redesigned UI for Ballplayer Navigation. Touted as a ripped down and rebuilt interface, the new UI definitely looks sleek and should be easier to navigate.
Perhaps the biggest and only real change to RttS this year is the return of on-the-field training. No longer will we have to sit through strange “phone” related training exercises as on-field training returns with the added promise of zero negative attribute boosts. You can only improve your attributes, which should make the experience more user-friendly but might eliminate some of the challenge for more experienced players.
With a focus on immersion, MLB Network hosts Jake Peavy and Carlos Pena have recorded scenes and dialogue to freshen up the narrative experience in RttS.
New Legends
One of the biggest dopamine hits of each Show release is the crop of new legends who gets introduced. Per details from MLB The Show 23‘s store page, we’ll be getting over 25 new legends this year. We’ll keep a running tally of all confirmed new legends here for quick reference.
- Derek Jeter
- Hilton Smith
- Martín Dihigo
- Rube Foster
- Buck O’Neil
- Hank Thompson
- Satchel Paige
- John Donaldson
- Ian Kinsler
- Mike Lowell
- Greg Vaughn
- Jake Peavy
- Carlos Pena
- Matt Cain
- David Wright
- Chili Davis
- Sammy Sosa
- Mark McGwire
- Ryan Braun
- Kyle Seager
- Alex Gordon
- Raul Ibanez
- Mark Mulder
- Ryan Ludwick
Face Scan
A huge surprise this year is the addition of Face Scan in Road to the Show. Using the MLB The Show Companion App, players can take a single selfie to upload a face scan to their Ballplayer. SDS has stressed that a single photo is all that is needed (and allowed) and will capture as much of your face as possible. You’ll be able to tweak skin tone, hair, facial hair, and other features using your actual face as a base. Unfortunately, this feature doesn’t appear to be available outside RttS.
Feature Premieres
Feature premieres have returned for MLB The Show 23. Every week leading to launch, SDS will drop information in video form on their respective Twitch and YouTube channels. The full schedule can be seen below along with links to each premiere.
- February 9 – Storylines: The Negro Leagues Season 1
- February 14 – Gameplay
- February 23 – Diamond Dynasty
- March 2 – Road to the Show & Face Scan
- March 9 – Franchise, MTO, Presentation & Commentary
- March 15 – Development Team Tournament
- March 23 – Early Access, Live Content
New Stadiums
We rarely get new stadiums in MLB The Show but that’s changing this year. Six new stadiums will be added to the game as part of the Storylines game mode highlighting the Negro Leagues.
- Muehlebach Field (1923-1948)
- Hilldale Park (1929-1932)
- South Side Park (1929-1932)
- Comiskey Park (1911-1951)
- Forbes Field (1922-1939)
- Bush Stadium (1922-1939)
Miscellaneous
You can check out the other information that is currently available, which is mostly from an FAQ posted by SDS. This includes information like cross-progression, cross-play, and cross-saves being available once again. However, year to year saves for rosters and franchise mode remain out. In addition, stadiums will not transfer from one version of the game to the next. Lastly, the PS4 is the only place you can access a full version of Sounds of the Show.
We’ll be updating this post with all relevant new information so be sure to check back over the next several weeks for more on MLB The Show 23.
