For the first time in the history of the "Out of the Park Baseball" sim management video franchise, an edition will be represented by a digital cover. Unlike most sports game covers, it won't just be a single player selected as the face of the product. Instead, a full team consisting of 11 players and a manager will be featured.
Those individuals will be determined through a fan vote, which opened Thursday and runs through March 9. Click here to be taken to the survey to make the selection between two players at each position, and a manager. The winners will be revealed during a live stream March 15.
Catcher : Gary Sanchez (NYY) vs Buster Posey (SF)
First Base : Freddie Freeman (ATL) vs. Paul Goldschmidt (ARI)
Second Base : Jason Kipnis (CLE) vs. Robinson Cano (SEA)
Shortstop : Trea Turner (WSH) vs. Carlos Correa (HOU)
Third Base : Nolan Arenado (COL) vs. Manny Machado (BAL)
Outfield : Yoenis Cespedes (NYM) vs. J.D. Martinez (DET)
Outfield : Starling Marte (PIT) vs. Christian Yelich (MIA)
Outfield : Jose Bautista (TOR) vs. Nomar Mazara (TEX)
Starting Pitcher : Jake Arrieta (CHC) vs. Max Scherzer (WSH)
Starting Pitcher : Clayton Kershaw (LAD) vs. Chris Sale (BOS)
Closer : Zach Britton (BAL) vs. Seung-hwan Oh (STL)
Manager : Joe Maddon (CHC) vs. Bruce Bochy (SF)
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“As a deep strategy game, we feel that nothing better represents what 'Out of the Park Baseball' is about than putting the best possible team on our first-ever digital cover,” said lead developer, lifelong baseball fan and Out of the Park Developments CEO Markus Heinsohn. “Baseball is the ultimate team game, and our fans argue every day about what makes us the best possible lineup. What better way to represent what we are all about than having them vote on the best players and manager to put on the digital diamond?”
"Out of the Park Baseball 18" will introduce a new Challenge Mode and historical Negro Leagues to an already deep set of features and official MLB licensing, which debuted in last year's edition of the series. The follow-up to Metacritic’s 2016 PC Game of the Year is available for pre-order with a 10 percent limited-time discount . The release date is March 24, but those who pre-order get to start playing March 20.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, is co-founder of the sports gaming site HitThePass.com, hosts the "Press Row Podcast" and be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre .