Blue Jays’ Lourdes Gurriel Jr. talks ‘MLB The Show,’ love for Toronto

Article content

Early in his career, Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. figured out a way to put his lifelong love of video games to work by using early versions of MLB The Show to scout opposing pitchers.

Article content

“My first season, I didn’t have a lot of experience in the video room and finding information about upcoming pitchers,” Gurriel says through a translator on a video call during the team’s recent extended homestand. “But I told my teammates that I knew what pitches certain pitchers would throw and they would ask me how I knew and it was from watching them on (MLB The Show).”

Article content

Gurriel, 28, is the team’s biggest gamer and since the release of MLB The Show 22 last month, the batter has been getting his reps in playing the baseball simulation on PlayStation 5 (it is also available on Xbox and Nintendo Switch). Since its launch in 2006, The Show has become the gold standard in baseball video game excellence.

So far, he’s enjoyed getting the chance to launch bombs as Jays phenom Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and has been trying — unsuccessfully — to get hits off of one of the team’s aces, Jose Berrios.

Article content

“They’re all hard,” Gurriel says of the crew’s pitching staff, “but Berrios has a lot of good stuff. He’s the hardest.”

The young Cuban player also marvelled at little details the game has managed to nail down, including his own spiky hairstyle that has been likened to a pineapple.

“They paid close attention to detail — especially on my headband,” Gurriel says grinning. “But it’s a dream come true to see myself in the game.”

There aren’t many surprises in the game’s player rankings (Vlad Jr. comes out on top). But if you are looking for underrated gems, Gurriel encourages gamers to look at submarine side-armer Adam Cimber.

“He had a pretty good season last year,” Gurriel says. “I actually think he’s underrated in the game.”

New features for this year’s edition, which boasts American League MVP slugger/pitcher Shohei Ohtani on the cover, include difficulty modes tailored to gamers with different skill levels, new gameplay mechanics, enhanced pinpoint pitching accuracy and new commentators.

Jumping off from last year, gamers can continue as two-way players in the “Road to the Show” mode, following in the footsteps of Ohtani, create their own stadiums and play in old ballparks.

Article content

So far, Gurriel has preferred to play The Show within the confines of Yankee Stadium in New York.

“In the game, it’s easier to hit homers there,” he says.

Fans can also participate in a “Battle Royale” mode doing head-to-head against other gamers.

Like past editions, MLB The Show 22 is introducing new legends giving fans a chance to suit up as retired baseball players. This year’s additions include Red Sox slugger Mike Napoli, Yankees hurler Randy Johnson and former Jays outfielder Curtis Granderson.

Gurriel namechecks the Twins’ Justin Morneau and Minnesota’s old Metrodome as two of his favourite throwback experiences when plugging into The Show.

The simulation has a lot of similarities to the experiences the squad has on the field, including the AL East rivalries the team has with other clubs.

Article content

After taking three of four against the Red Sox last week, Gurriel says wins against Boston and New York are especially sweet.

“It’s always great to win, but the fact that we have a rivalry with the Red Sox and Yankees make those the most enjoyable wins.”

With his brother Yuli in town last weekend with the Houston Astros, Gurriel got an up-close experience with the only other team he likes to tinker with in the game.

“I’ve tried to see what I would look like playing alongside my brother in Houston, so I made myself play with the Astros,” he admits with a sheepish grin. “We did look good, that’s for sure.”

But perhaps the best part of the game — both on the field and in the digital world — is how it faithfully recreates Rogers Centre, a ballpark Gurriel says is his favourite to play in.

Article content

Last season, the Jays split time between Dunedin and Buffalo before making their way back to Toronto at the end of July. In 2020, the team spent a COVID-shortened season entirely in Buffalo.

“But I like playing here,” Gurriel says. “It’s really very exciting to be back, to feel the warmth of the crowd and the excitement at the ballpark.”

As the Jays set their sights on meaningful post-season October games, that home-field advantage will make all the difference, he says.

“That’s something that’s going to really help us this season.”

MLB The Show 22 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch.

[email protected]