Longoria on deck for MLB 2K10

With the San Francisco Giants' ace pitcher Tim Lincecum on the cover of Major League Baseball 2K9, it was only fitting that the baseball sim struck out with reviewers. For the series' next cover athlete, 2K Sports is adjusting accordingly.

The publisher has announced that its Major League Baseball 2K10 cover star will be Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, winner of the Silver Slugger award, given each year to the best offensive players at each position. Last year's American League rookie of the year, Longoria improved every offensive aspect of his game in 2009, putting up 33 home runs and 113 RBIs with a .281 batting average. He's no slouch on the other side of the ball, either, taking home the 2009 AL third baseman Gold Glove award for individual defensive excellence.

Beyond labeling Longoria as this year's face of the franchise, 2K Sports detailed some of its launch plans for the game. Major League Baseball 2K10 will arrive next spring for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PSP, and PC, and gamers who pick up specially marked console versions of the game will be able to send in for a free Fathead Jr. wall cling.

While a DS edition wasn't explicitly announced, the publisher includes the system's logo on the game's official site. That same site is holding a fan vote to select this year's cover for the game from three different pictures with either red or white background colors.