Tampa Bay Rays All-Star third baseman Evan Longoria is already one of the faces of their franchise, and one of the brightest young stars in Major League Baseball.

Now, Longoria will have a different honor, as he will be the face (the cover athlete and spokesman) for a video game, Major League Baseball 2K10.  Online voting is now open at www.2Ksports.com/vote, and fans can select from a gallery of different cover art designs featuring Longoria and help determine which one will adorn the cover of the game.

“It’s been a milestone year for me, from winning a Gold Glove and the Silver Slugger Award, to now being selected as the cover athlete for Major League Baseball 2K10 – this has been a truly humbling experience,” Longoria said in a statement. “Since 2K Sports is letting fans decide on the final box cover art, I’m going to have to rally my Rays teammates to ensure that my favorite takes the lead.”

Longoria, 24, already has two All-Star appearances, a Gold Glove Award and a Silver Slugger Award in two big league seasons.

“When it comes to selecting cover athletes for our games, we look for players who are more than just a fancy resume,” said Greg Thomas, senior vice president of sports development for 2K. “With Evan, he is one of the most fun and exciting players in the game, which helps complement the vibe we are striving for with Major League Baseball 2K10.”

- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com