Who Belongs in the Next Backyard Baseball? (Part I: American League)
A current American League MLB player for every team, chosen for maximum cartoon charm, sandlot swagger, and Backyard-ready energy.
Good afternoon, sports fans!
*Author’s note: This is a longer read—about 15 minutes—so grab a coffee and settle in.*
The long‑awaited re‑release of Backyard Baseball ’01 finally arrived last week, complete with Sunny Day’s chipper play‑by‑play and Vinnie the Gooch’s peanut‑gallery snark. The new redux—from franchise stewards Playground Productions—follows last October’s remasters of Backyard Baseball ’97 and Backyard Soccer ’98, and picks up right where my feature‑length Rolling Stone story on the Backyard Sports revival (which included an exclusive sit‑down with CEO Lindsay Barnett) left off. Boot it up and every pixel is exactly where you parked it: Pablo Sanchez’s tucked‑in T‑shirt, Pete Wheeler sprinting in circles, that MIDI‑organ riff looping like an eternal seventh‑inning stretch.
Not everything survived the time warp. Chief Wahoo is gone, the Cleveland Indians are now the Guardians, and—accurately, if a bit sadly—“Oakland” has been lopped off the Athletics. Playground also swapped the MLBPA logo for an MLBPAA stamp (the alumni‑association counterpart) to match new licensing deals. Barnett warned back in February that a true one‑to‑one revival was impossible: every name, image, and likeness had to be renegotiated. Across the wider revival slate, she’s already secured more than sixty athlete agreements for upcoming Baseball, Football, Hockey, Basketball, and Soccer titles.
Even so, three icons didn’t return for this ’01 build: Barry Bonds, Frank Thomas, and Ken Griffey Jr. (Fun fact: Bonds hasn’t appeared as himself in a mainstream non‑mobile game since Backyard Baseball 03.)
Online matchmaking is missing, too. Barnett says the team is “couch‑co‑op first” for now, though it’s hard to imagine multiplayer won’t surface later—perhaps in a future, more modern release.
Which brings us to the fun part. Whether Playground swings for the fences with its next Baseball remake when they bring back ‘03, or hold off for a future new title, it’s hard not to think about what modern names might eventually get “Backyard-ified.” The prominent names—Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Fernando Tatis Jr.—write themselves, but plenty of under-the-radar talents deserve cartoon glory, too.
So here’s Part 1 of my half‑smart, half‑wish list: one current player from every American League team, each chosen for maximum sandlot drama—
no licensing lawyers, no CBAs—just kid‑size versions of today’s best, ready to join Pablo, Keisha, and the rest in the Backyard
American League East:
New York Yankees — Aaron Judge (OF)
There’s not much to debate here. Judge is the centerpiece of the Yankees, the captain of the most recognizable sports franchise in the world, an absolute superstar, and the type of living legend that you can guarantee will be one of the greatest you've ever witnessed. He’s got the size of a cartoon character, the swing of a myth, and the presence of a gentle giant who probably helped set up the backyard field before launching three over the fence.
Honorable mentions: None seriously considered. You don’t overthink, Judge. Gerrit Cole would be the pitcher choice, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. would get consideration if this were a list with more than one name per team... but it’s not. It’s The Captain all the way. ALL RISE!
Boston Red Sox — Garrett Crochet (LHP)
Garrett Crochet was electric before he ever stepped foot in Fenway, but since arriving in Boston — and inking a long-term extension — he’s become one of the most important players the Red Sox have. He’s got ace-level stuff, a delivery that looks like it was built for Backyard Baseball animation, and the kind of presence that makes him feel bigger than the game, even when he barely shows it. And look, while nobody’s building a rotation in Backyard, every team still needs someone who can throw absolute gas and not make a big deal about it.
Honorable Mention: Still, it’s worth noting that a long-term deal doesn’t mean what it used to when it comes to longevity. Rafael Devers signed the biggest contract in club history, and he’s now in San Francisco. That said, Crochet feels like a good bet to stick in Boston — and to dominate in the Backyard.
Toronto Blue Jays — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. brings a near-perfect blend of power, personality, and presence — the kind of star who already feels cartoon-ready. His swing is theatrical, his energy magnetic, and he just signed the biggest contract in Blue Jays history while repping Canada’s team on the cover of MLB The Show 24.
Though he’s settled in at first base, he came up as a third baseman, and that kind of flexibility plays well in Backyard Baseball, where positions are more of a suggestion than a rule. And then there’s the legacy factor: his dad, Vladimir Guerrero Sr., was a playable pro in the original Backyard Baseball series — and returns in the new remaster. That makes Vladdy Jr. a rare second-generation Backyard kid.
Honorable mentions: Bo Bichette has been a foundational piece, and starting pitcher Kevin Gausman has one of the best split-finger fastballs in all of baseball. Still, Vladdy’s the guy who gives this lineup identity, electricity, and just the right dose of controlled chaos.
Tampa Bay Rays — Yandy Díaz (1B/3B/OF)
Yandy Díaz doesn’t always get the national spotlight, but he’s been one of the Rays’ most important players for years. He’s a key holdover from their 2020 World Series run, won the AL batting title in 2023, and plays all over the infield — primarily first base these days, but he’s logged plenty of time at third and in the outfield as well. That kind of flexibility is invaluable in a Backyard Baseball context, where defensive swaps happen on the fly and everyone needs to do a little bit of everything. Plus, his compact, powerful swing feels tailor-made for cartoon doubles off the recycling bins.
Honorable mentions: Brandon Lowe has been a lineup fixture for years and brings some sneaky Backyard upside with lefty power and outfield reps. Shane McClanahan would’ve been the go-to pitcher here if not for the injury timeline. Junior Caminero’s upside is real, and he could play his way into this list before long. But for right now, Yandy gets the nod.
Baltimore Orioles — Adley Rutschman (C)
Adley Rutschman does a little bit of everything, and that’s precisely what makes him such a strong Backyard pick. He’s a switch-hitting catcher who’s already one of the best defenders at his position, and his offensive game continues to develop. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 Draft, and before that, he was a star for the Oregon State Beavers. Not only that, Rutschman even got in some reps on the gridiron at kicker (and tackled then future All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey), which helps explain why he moves and throws like someone built for more than just baseball. If Backyard Baseball let you draw up a complete, playable character, this is the mold.
Honorable mentions: Gunnar Henderson is the reigning 2024 AL Rookie of the Year and one of three MLB The Show 25 cover stars. He could easily be the pick here — and maybe would be, if the game needed a shortstop, but this roster already has plenty. Grayson Rodriguez brings ace potential, but he’s still working through injuries and hasn’t quite put it all together yet. Adley gives you rare value at catcher, hits from both sides, and fits the Backyard format in a way few others do.
American League Central
Detroit Tigers — Tarik Skubal (LHP)
Tarik Skubal isn’t just a frontline guy — he’s the reigning 2024 AL Cy Young winner, the starter for the American League in this year’s All-Star Game, and the current favorite to win it again in 2025. He’s turned into a force on the mound, mixing power, precision, and a delivery that looks built for a Backyard Baseball windup animation. He doesn’t need the spotlight, but he gets results, and in a game where every kid is expected to pitch a few innings and mash in the same lineup, he checks every box.
Honorable mentions: Riley Greene brings athleticism and flair, and Javier Báez — if nothing else — brings pure Backyard chaos. The no-look tags, the exaggerated swings, the chance he tries to steal home just because he feels like it. He also fits all over the diamond, which is a consistent strength in the Backyard format. But when you’ve got the best pitcher in the league — and one who seems to get better by the start — you don’t overthink it. Skubal is the pick.
Cleveland Guardians — José Ramírez (3B)
If you’re building a Backyard Baseball team and you somehow don’t take José Ramírez, you probably forgot to click “Start Game.” He does everything: hits for power, runs the bases like he’s trying to take three every time, plays a sharp third base, and brings a swagger that never feels forced. He’s been the face of the Guardians for nearly a decade, and he still plays with the urgency of someone trying to earn his spot. If Pablo Sanchez had a big-league cousin, it might be José.
Honorable mentions: Steven Kwan brings elite contact skills and outfield defense, and might be the best pure table-setter in the league but Ramírez is just too complete to pass up. He’s the pick.
Kansas City Royals — Bobby Witt Jr. (SS)
There was never another option. Bobby Witt Jr. plays baseball like it was made for the Backyard — explosive speed, highlight-reel defense, and a swing that brings real fireworks. But what seals it? During Players Weekend in 2024, he used a custom bat featuring none other than Pablo Sanchez. When asked about it by the Kansas City Star, Witt said: “I played the game growing up, and ‘Backyard Baseball’ is kind of cool. And that’s how I try to play the game — it’s kind of like I’m having fun like a kid.”
That’s not just a nod — that’s Backyard Baseball canon. His style fits the format already, but the self-awareness and love for the game’s roots make him the most spiritually locked-in pick on this entire list.
Honorable mentions: None come close, even if Jac Caglianone brings possible sneaky two-way prowess and the Pasquatch remains a fan-favorite.
<iframe src="https://streamable.com/m/bobby-witt-jr-s-backyard-baseball-bat?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share" width="560" height="315"></iframe>Chicago White Sox — Luis Robert Jr. (OF)
Picking a White Sox player right now feels a little like trying to choose your favorite dish at a restaurant that’s just been condemned — you’re doing your best with what’s still edible. But even in the middle of a franchise freefall, Luis Robert Jr. remains one of the most talented players in the league. He’s got 30/30 potential, plays elite center field defense, and can crush a baseball when healthy. And in the Backyard format, that’s a massive “when.” You draft him knowing he might hit three home runs, rob a grand slam, and then disappear from the lineup with “mild wrist soreness” in the third inning.
Honorable mentions: Starting pitcher Shane Smith managed to make the All-Star team this year as the White Sox representative and Colson Montgomery is another one to watch — he’s got pop, swagger, and an actual chance to be part of the next good White Sox team — but he’s just getting his feet wet. And yet, even with injuries, Robert is my pick. In the end, Robert’s achievements as both a Gold Glover and a Silver Slugger make him the guy, even if the team around him looks like a backyard that needs to be bulldozed.
Minnesota Twins — Byron Buxton (OF)
There may be no player in baseball more capable of hitting both an inside-the-park home run and an outside-the-park moonshot in the same game than Byron Buxton. When he’s healthy, he plays like a cheat code: gliding through center field like he’s been double-tapped for turbo, swinging with elite bat speed, and scoring from first on a bloop if the wind’s right. In a Backyard context, he’s the kid who outruns the throw, makes a diving catch in the sandbox, and rounds third with his helmet flying off. He’s not just toolsy — he’s explosive, electric, and unpredictable in the most entertaining way.
He’s also now locked in long-term and repping the Twins at the 2025 Home Run Derby in Atlanta. It’s only right he’s the Backyard pick too. — a full-circle moment for a player who’s long had the tools but is finally stringing together the stretch fans have been waiting for.
Honorable mentions: Royce Lewis is incredibly talented and full of star potential, but he’s still working to stay on the field consistently. He was once a No. 1 overall pick and has the kind of confidence that Backyard players are built on, but this is Buxton’s team — and Buxton’s moment.
American League West
Houston Astros — José Altuve (2B/OF)
José Altuve is a future Hall of Famer, full stop. He’s been the beating heart of the Astros for over a decade, through rebuilds, championships, and everything in between. You could argue that no current player has carried a team’s identity through more eras — or more drama—than Altuve. He was there during the 100-loss seasons, at the center of a modern dynasty, and yes, right in the middle of the 2017 sign-stealing scandal. And yet, through it all, he’s remained one of the most consistent and complete players in baseball.
Now mainly playing left field after years as the league’s scrappiest second baseman, Altuve still runs the bases like someone stole his lunch and hits like he’s trying to make the ball disappear. In a Backyard Baseball context, he’s the kid who hits a line drive off the doghouse roof, then somehow shows up catching a pop-up in shallow correct two pitches later. He’s everywhere at once, and he’s always smiling while he does it.
Honorable mentions: Yordan Alvarez brings the thunder, and Framber Valdez has the charisma and lefty stuff to fit a Backyard Ace mold. But Altuve is the most cartoonishly perfect combo of size, speed, swing, and heart — a player who already feels like he was made for this game.
Athletics — Mason Miller (RHP)
Backyard Baseball already has a flamethrower power-up, and Mason Miller has the real-life version in his right arm. He throws 103 with a fastball that leaves vapor trails, a slider that vanishes into another dimension, and a presence on the mound that feels more like a mini-boss than any reliever of yesteryear. He’s the prototypical gas man of the modern era, and he earned his first All-Star nod in 2024. At a time when A’s fans are constantly being fed a web of tough tales, Miller is a genuine bright spot.
He’s also the only full-time reliever on this list, and that’s no accident. His stuff is outrageous, his mound presence is cinematic, and if you’ve got an extra juice box on hand, you might just stretch him into two innings and let him end the game himself. He’s less a closer and more a final boss.
Honorable mentions: Jacob Wilson is a rising star with All-Star polish and a steady glove at short — an excellent pick in most years. But Miller has the motion right now.
Seattle Mariners — Cal Raleigh (C)
With an American League-record 38 home runs in the first half, Cal Raleigh isn’t just having a breakout year — he’s rewriting what a catcher can do. He won the 2025 Home Run Derby, and he’ll bat cleanup for the AL in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game, a spot earned not just by power, but by presence. A switch-hitting slugger with legit defense and a nickname built for playground legend status, Big Dumper feels like he was coded directly into the Backyard Baseball universe.
He’s also headed to the 2026 World Baseball Classic as Team USA’s catcher, which makes sense — there might not be a more complete backstop in the sport right now. He’s burly, balanced, and walks like someone who knows the ball is going over the fence before he even swings.
Honorable mentions: Julio Rodríguez might’ve been the face of the franchise a year ago, and George Kirby brings ace-level control, but this is Cal’s team now. He’s earned the cleanup slot — in the All-Star lineup, and in the Backyard one too.
Texas Rangers — Jacob deGrom (RHP)
Even in a year when injuries are still part of the equation, Jacob deGrom remains one of the most mythical arms in the game. His fastball still touches triple digits, his slider still buckles knees, and his presence still shifts the energy in the building when he takes the mound. In a Backyard Baseball world, he’s the stone-faced ace who doesn’t need to talk — just give him the ball and watch the other team start adjusting their swings before the first pitch.
He’s also got that “is he real?” energy that makes him feel larger than life — even post-surgery. His mechanics look like cheat-code animation, and when healthy, he’s the closest thing this game has to invincibility. Every Backyard team needs a stopper, and this one has Jacob deGrom.
Honorable mentions: Wyatt Langford has future cover-star energy. Corey Seager remains one of the purest hitters in the league and was a driving force in Texas’ 2023 World Series title run. Adolis García was the breakout star of that postseason — power, flair, and a cannon for an arm. But none of them shift the atmosphere quite like deGrom does when he’s on. He’s still the scariest player in the room.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — Mike Trout (OF)
It’s easy to forget just how absurdly good Mike Trout has been — and still is. He’s been one of the best players in baseball for over a decade, racking up MVPs, WAR totals that belong in Cooperstown, and more highlight-reel plays than some franchises have in their entire history. Even as the Angels have cycled through managers, heartbreak, and high-profile flameouts, Trout has remained the anchor.
In a Backyard Baseball context, he’s the kid who does everything right. He’ll hit it over the tree, track down a gapper in center, and fire a strike home without making a fuss. He plays all three outfield spots — and came up as a shortstop in high school — which means he could slot in anywhere on the field and still dominate. His game isn’t loud, but it’s relentless. He’s the one everyone wants, and for good reason.
Honorable mentions: Zach Neto brings real flash and athleticism, and Reid Detmers has the makings of a future ace if he can put it all together. But no one on the roster comes close to Trout in terms of skill, pedigree, or presence. He’s still the face of the franchise — in real life, and in pixel form.
Wrapping Up the AL
The players in this lineup aren’t just stars — they feel like they belong on that field. Not just for their stats, but for their style. Their energy. The way they move through the game like it’s a little more fun when they’re in it.
Fifteen down. Fifteen to go.
The National League drops on Thursday.