MLB 2k12: Players We're Dying to Control in New Baseball Simulation

Well, baseball season is just around the corner and you know what that means.

That's right, baseball video games are just around the corner!

Major League Baseball 2K12 is set to launch on March 6th, complete with Prince Fielder and Justin Verlander as Detroit Tigers teammates and Albert Pujols in a Los Angeles Angels jersey.

Verlander is the cover athlete this year.

Here's a look at five stars we can't wait to dominate with in 2012.

5. Yu Darvish, SP, Texas Rangers

The Japanese phenom has made it to the States, signing with the Rangers for six years and $60 million after posting a 1.99 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 164 starts with the Nippon Ham Fighters.

Darvish has a whopping six-plus pitches to choose from, including a four-seam and two-seam fastball, a slurve, a cutter, a curveball and a splitter.

Mix those pitches up well and your opponent will be utterly hopeless.

4. Justin Verlander, SP, Detroit Tigers

How can you not play with the cover athlete?

Verlander has established himself as one of the premier arms in baseball throughout the years. He's a four-time All-Star who won the American League MVP last season.

Verlander has a four-seam and two-seam fastball, a 12-to-6 curveball, a circle changeup and a slider. By the way, Verlander's fastball can reach 100 miles per hour and he pitches in the 90s late into the game.

Last season, Verlander went 24-5, posting a 2.40 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 250 strikeouts in 251 innings.

3. Prince Fielder, 1B, Detroit Tigers

It's safe to say I'll be trying out the Tigers on numerous occasions this season. With the combo of Verlander and Fielder, you can do some serious damage.

Fielder was one of the most prized free agents in the offseason, second only to Pujols. He's a three-time All-Star and was a force last season paired with Ryan Braun.

Fielder's power will be fun to play with as he hit .299 with 38 home runs, 120 RBI and 95 runs last season. He's also never had fewer than 28 home runs in a full season.

2. Albert Pujols, 1B, Los Angeles Angels

He's the best hitter in the game.

That's really all you have to say.

But let me back that up. The 11-year veteran has never hit fewer than 32 home runs in a season or collected fewer than 99 RBI, and he has a career batting average of .328. He's also a nine-time All-Star, three-time MVP and two-time champion.

You can hit four home runs with Pujols in a single game in MLB 2K12 and still call it realistic.

1. Matt Kemp, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Matt Kemp is the guy I thought would grab the cover for at least one baseball video game this year.

He rivaled Braun for the National League MVP last season and he appears to have become a better teammate, as well.

Last season, Kemp was flat-out dominant. He hit .324 with 39 home runs, 126 RBI, 115 runs and 40 stolen bases.

His added bonus of speed on the basepaths distances him from the other candidates. He's a five-tool player, and I plan to use all five tools.

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