As MLB teams ramp up for Opening Day, the second Spring Breakout series provides a first look at the game’s next generation of stars. Designed to spotlight each organization’s top prospects, these games allow young talent to test their skills against their peers before the minor league season begins.
From electric pitching to offensive showcases, Friday’s matchups delivered everything from high-stakes moments to raw, untapped potential. With Opening Day fast approaching, these prospects aren’t just playing for attention—some are making their case for a big-league call-up.
Be sure to head over to the Pitcher List Dynasty page for plenty more content from the team.
Spring Training Breakout Games Day 2
St. Louis Cardinals @ Miami Marlins
What We Saw From The Top Prospects From Each Team:
Marlins top prospect Thomas White took the mound on Friday and did not disappoint. The lefty ace-in-the-making kept traffic minimal, allowing just one hit with no walks over two scoreless innings while striking out three. His fastball peaked at 99 mph, and his secondary pitches were electric, generating whiffs from St. Louis sluggers like Jimmy Crooks III on sliders in the opposite batter’s box while also freezing hitters with high-zone sinkers. White’s ceiling is that of a true ace, and he looked the part in his Spring Breakout debut.
For the Cardinals, top prospect JJ Wetherholt had a quiet day at the plate, going hitless but making hard contact on a first-inning lineout and reaching base on a hit-by-pitch. Defensively, he looked polished, but his arm strength remains a question mark. After earning a non-roster invite to big league camp, Wetherholt is expected to start 2025 in Double-A, where his elite hit tool will be on full display.
Connor Hjerpe, another St. Louis lefty, started strong, striking out the first two batters he faced. He ran into some traffic with two walks, but a quick groundout ended the inning unscathed. In his second inning of work, he finished with back-to-back swinging strikeouts, capping off a poised, efficient outing. Hjerpe’s deceptive arm angle and fastball-changeup combo continue to make him one of the most intriguing arms in St. Louis’ system.
For Miami, righty Noble Meyer had some close calls that nearly ended the team’s shutout bid. His fastball and slider helped him limit damage, but his changeup and curveball lacked sharpness. It wasn’t a disastrous outing, but it also wasn’t his sharpest.
Which Prospects Struggled:
Thomas Saggese got the start at third base as he searches for a long-term home away from shortstop. His chase issues from 2024 carried over, as he struck out twice and had just one hit. It was a disappointing follow-up to his Arizona Fall League breakout (where he slashed .391/.481/.636 in 18 games).
Cade Winquest had a rough fourth inning, allowing several free passes that opened the scoring for Miami. After inducing a hard lineout from Deyvison De Los Santos, he walked the next batter, who stole second and later scored on a wild pitch. Another run followed after a single from Andres Valor, and Winquest left the game with the bases loaded after recording just one out.
Marlins middle infielders Starlyn Caba and Andrew Salas are still years away from the majors but saw some late-game action. Both struck out in their first at-bats, and Salas’ errant throw on a routine grounder allowed St. Louis to tie the game late. Salas nearly redeemed himself in the bottom of the ninth, but a late batted ball died on the warning track.
It was also a mixed day for Marlins utilityman Javier Sanoja. Normally a contact-first hitter, he had an uncharacteristic two-strikeout game but did manage to draw a walk, stealing both second and third base in the seventh inning. Miami likely has big-league plans for Sanoja in 2025, but this wasn’t his best showing.
Which Prospects Stood Out the Most:
Marlins right-hander Karson Milbrandt entered in the third inning, touching 99 mph while mixing in a cutter and occasional slider. The 2022 third-round pick led High-A Beloit in starts (22), innings pitched (97.2), and strikeouts (91) last season, and he showed why Miami is high on him. His sinker was particularly sharp, getting Wetherholt to ground out to end the third inning.
Cardinals outfielder Nathan Church (MLB Pipeline’s No. 21 St. Louis prospect) made his presence felt in the field, flashing elite defensive tools. Named Baseball America’s “Best Defensive Outfielder” in the Cardinals’ system, he took efficient routes all afternoon, including a laser throw home for an outfield assist in the bottom of the second inning. He didn’t make much noise at the plate, but his plus defense was on full display.
César Prieto was an unexpected force at the plate, accounting for two of St. Louis’ three hits through six innings. The Cuba native has been a hit machine since 2022, ranking third in total minor-league hits (428)—most of which came while he was in Baltimore’s system. Given his experience in the Cuban National Series (247 games), Prieto looked far more polished than many of his Spring Breakout peers.
Miami also saw a strong late-game performance from 18-year-old lefty Keyner Benitez, one of their top signings from the 2023 international class. Benitez retired the side in order, showcasing all four of his pitches in a clean 1-2-3 inning. With just 11 professional starts under his belt, he remains raw, but his 3.12 ERA and 1.20 WHIP for Jupiter in 2024 show promise. If he can refine his fastball command, he could be an intriguing long-term arm in Miami’s system.
Pittsburgh Pirates @ Philadelphia Phillies
By: Matt Heckman
What We Saw From The Top Prospects From Each Team:
With Andrew Painter still working his way back to game action, Aidan Miller was the headline prospect for the Phillies. Miller did not do much offensively in Friday’s game but did look strong defensively at short. He started at shortstop before shifting to third base later in the game. The original belief post-draft was that Miller would eventually shift to third base long-term, but he made a fantastic play at short in Friday’s Spring Breakout game and has looked strong there early in his professional career. He went 0/4 at the plate with two strikeouts. The Phils’ other top prospect, Justin Crawford, played well and hit a triple off the wall. If he can get the ball in the air with more consistency, his dynasty stock will take off.
Bubba Chandler was on another level on Friday. The Pirates’ top prospect showed that he has nothing left to prove at the minor league level. Going up against some talented minor league batters in Aidan Miller, Justin Crawford, and others, Chandler made it look easy. He threw two shutout innings without allowing a hit. Chandler struck out four. What was even more impressive was his success while not having a feel for his breaking pitches. Chandler seldom used his slider and curveball, and neither looked particularly “on”. Even without those, Chandler blew his high-90s fastball right by batters. He used his sinker as a secondary to lefties while mixing in his cutter to righties. Both looked like plus offerings and like effective pitches to keep hitters off of his four-seamer. Chandler is going to form a formidable 1-2 punch with Paul Skenes in Pittsburgh. He is the real deal, and somebody dynasty managers should be all in on.
Which Prospects Struggled:
The Spring Breakout game was a tale of two innings for Anthony Solometo. Solometo has spent time toward the top of Pirates’ prospect lists for parts of the last few years. He came on to pitch the third inning and got only one out while surrendering two earned runs and leaving with runners on second and third. Solometo struggled to find a feel for his stuff. Then, he came back out for the fourth inning and struck out the side. Solometo’s arm angle makes him a difficult at-bat for lefties, but inconsistency has become a theme throughout his professional career. Righties slashed .286/.399/.451 off of him compared to .198/.298/.321 that lefties hit off of him. Despite shining in his second inning of work, Solometo’s performance highlights the risk for dynasty managers in his profile. There is plenty of relief risk, and major league hitters may easily exploit his inconsistent location.
Speaking of inconsistency, Griff McGarry’s downward trend continued on Friday. McGarry’s high-octane stuff caught the eye of dynasty managers and major league teams in 2022. McGarry has continued to post high strikeout rates but has been plagued by incredibly high walk rates. The move to the bullpen did not solve those issues last year, and McGarry’s struggles have rolled over into spring training. In Friday’s Spring Breakout game, McGarry faced five batters and did not record an out. He walked two while also giving up a 108.6 mph double to Omar Alfonzo. McGarry’s potential may never be unlocked, and there is no fantasy relevance in his profile anymore.
Which Prospects Stood Out the Most:
Injuries have limited Alex McFarlane to just 58.1 professional innings so far. The 2022 fourth-round pick missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John Surgery, and Friday marked his first return to game action on a professional mound. The stuff looked electric. He needed just 10 pitches to make it through a shutout inning. His sinker sat in the upper 90s, touching as high as 99.4 mph on the gun. His slider was getting over 40 inches of drop with -5 inches of induced vertical break (iVB). These are elite metrics on this pitch. McFarlane also threw a cutter and four-seam fastball, helping add some depth to his repertoire. He is 23 years old and has yet to pitch above Low-A, but the stuff was impressive. He could be a fast riser in 2025, either as a starter or a high-leverage reliever.
Devin Saltiban also hit a double at 98.1 mph and should have had another line drive single if not for a great play by Pirates’ pitcher Hunter Barco. Saltiban is on the smaller side but controls the barrel well. He has a good feel for his pull side and is an under-the-radar prospect for dynasty managers to keep an eye on. One final note on Phillies’ prospects: get in on Carson DeMartini. His sweet left-handed swing could turn into an impactful dynasty third baseman.
Omar Alfonzo is one catching prospect flying under the radar. Alfonzo’s minor league numbers have been mediocre, but he stood out in last year’s Spring Breakout game, and he stood out again on Friday. In three plate appearances, Alfonzo posted exit velocities of 104.2, 106.5, and 108.6 mph. The 108.6 mph finally resulted in a hit as Alfonzo deposited a double into the gap. Any catching prospect hitting the ball that hard with consistency deserves recognition in the dynasty community. Alfonzo also stood out defensively, challenging two close pitches with both going his way. Defense is always important to get catching prospects up to the Major Leagues
Washington Nationals @ Houston Astros
What We Saw From The Top Prospects From Each Team:
Astros third baseman Cam Smith entered Spring Breakout in a unique spot—one of the few prospects with a legitimate shot at both an Opening Day roster spot and a starting role. While the box score may not fully reflect it, Smith had strong moments both at the plate and in the field, reinforcing why Houston is high on him. If Statcast had tracked this game, the data likely would have backed up the eye test—Smith consistently barreled up the ball and showed his advanced approach at the plate. But at this point, isn’t that just expected from him? The Astros’ newest third base prospect continues to prove he’s ready for the next step.
Washington’s top pitching prospect, Jarlin Susana, struggled in Friday’s high-energy opener, failing to harness his elite fastball. The former San Diego Padres prospect boasts one of the most electric heaters in baseball, sitting between 98-101 mph—but that velocity means little without command. The Astros took full advantage, as Susana walked five batters and allowed four hits over just 1⅔ innings, recording only one strikeout. Susana’s issues extended beyond his fastball, as he failed to locate both his slider and changeup, leading to frustration on the mound. At just 20 years old, he remains a high-upside but unfinished prospect, though Nationals fans were surely hoping for a stronger showing in this Spring Breakout appearance.
Astros top pitching prospect Miguel Ullola had a rough outing against Washington, struggling with command in his 1⅓ innings of work. The hard-throwing righty allowed four earned runs and issued three walks, with control issues ultimately proving costly. His big fastball wasn’t enough to bail him out, as he walked in runs and surrendered a solo homer to outfielder Andrew Pinckney. Add that he exited shortly afterwards with discomfort in his throwing shoulder, there are some concerns.
Shortstop Seaver King had a great game for a prospective leadoff man at the major-league level. He reached base three times, with a walk, hit, and hit by pitch. King isn’t devoid of power, but the hit tool has come around quickly for the 10th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. He had 10 stolen bases in his first 20 professional games last season and swiped a bag against the Astros as well. Not a sexy player from a fantasy standpoint but can certainly help the Nationals in 2027.
Which Prospects Struggled:
Astros right-hander Anderson Brito started off with a clean inning, allowing just one walk while recording a strikeout. His repeatable delivery stood out, helping him mix his fastball and slider effectively to keep hitters off balance. Then, a walk and hit batter with no outs in the fifth inning soured the outing a bit. Overall, 1⅓ hitless innings with two walks and two strikeouts aren’t terrible, but despite having just 15 professional games under his belt, Brito looked far more polished than most prospects at his experience level, showing poise and command in his brief outing.
If there were concerns about Yohandy Morales‘ 2024 struggles carrying into 2025, his Spring Breakout performance did little to ease them. The Nationals’ infield prospect struck out three times, managing just one hit and a walk, further highlighting the strikeout issues that plagued him last season. While a thumb injury in 2024 likely hindered his power and contact ability, Morales still didn’t look like his best self on Friday. There’s still time for adjustments, but this outing reinforced the question marks surrounding his approach at the plate as he looks to rebound in 2025.
Brady House needs to take another step forward in 2025, but so far, he still looks like the same player from 2023. The swing is sweet, and the power remains undeniable, but his swing decisions continue to hold him back. For House to fully unlock his offensive potential, he’ll need to refine his approach and show better plate discipline. The tools are there, but without improved pitch recognition and decision-making, his ceiling remains capped.
Which Prospects Stood Out the Most:
Elijah Green has lost some of his shine since the Nationals drafted him fifth overall in 2022, but Friday’s performance was a reminder of the elite tools that still make him an exciting—albeit flawed—prospect. The IMG Academy product kicked things off with a sharp double, then crushed a mammoth two-run homer in the third inning to put Washington back on top. His plate discipline remains a major concern, but his ability to square up pitches early in the game was a promising sign. At just 21 years old, there’s still hope within the organization that he can refine his approach and improve on his minor-league-worst 44% strikeout rate from last season. He’s far from “fixed,” but at least he showed progress—drawing a walk as well.
The Astros’ farm system isn’t what it once was, but there are still a few players who make you think, “Yup, we’ll see that guy in The Show next year.” That was my gut reaction watching right-hander Ethan Pecko’s seventh inning. The Towson product doesn’t overwhelm with velocity, but his legit five-pitch mix, enticing pitch shapes, and efficient mechanics make him a moldable arm with real upside. If everything clicks, Houston seems like the type of organization that could fast-track him to the majors sooner rather than later.
Athletics @ San Diego Padres
What We Saw From The Top Prospects From Each Team:
With shortstop Jacob Wilson focusing on big-league camp, the Athletics’ top prospect in Spring Breakout was first baseman Nick Kurtz. The 2024 fourth overall pick is already a highly coveted dynasty target at a position lacking star power, but his performance showed both promise and room for growth. His 110.9 mph double to dead center showcased the elite power scouts rave about, but two strikeouts highlighted areas he still needs to refine. After reaching Double-A in his brief pro debut, he’ll likely start 2025 in either Double- or Triple-A. Kurtz has a star-level ceiling, but his Spring Breakout showing didn’t quite scream “future superstar” just yet.
The Athletics look like early draft-day winners, with third baseman Tommy White quickly proving his doubters wrong after falling to the 40th overall pick last summer. The LSU slugger delivered one of the game’s biggest swings, launching a 368-foot home run to right field at 104 mph. There’s no denying White’s pull-side power, and this was another glimpse of why Oakland is so high on him.
For the Padres, catcher Ethan Salas remains one of the game’s most fascinating prospects. Just two years removed from being baseball’s top international signee, he made headlines as an 18-year-old reaching Double-A last season. While his offensive upside is still in question, his defensive skills were on full display. Salas threw out two would-be base stealers, allowing just one successful attempt, and his pop time already looks elite. At the plate, he eventually notched a hit in the seventh, but it came on a wild, high-fastball swing decision, reinforcing concerns about his approach against advanced pitching.
Which Prospects Struggled:
I was excited to see Isaiah Lowe face off against the Athletics, especially after a fully healthy 2024 season, but his outing fell flat. He loaded the bases with two walks and a hit in his lone inning, escaping only because of a lucky double play and a routine flyout. The box score won’t show an earned run, but he definitely should have had one.
The first six innings were forgettable for every single Padres batter—Oakland’s arms completely silenced their offense. San Diego sent out some of their top young talent, including Leodalis De Vries and Cobb Hightower, but the lineup looked overmatched against more seasoned arms. It wasn’t until Jack Costello broke up the no-hitter in the seventh that they finally showed signs of life. While it’s easy to be critical of their struggles, it’s also a reminder that even top Low-A talents often struggle against high-minors competition.
Which Prospects Stood Out the Most:
Right-hander Gunnar Hoglund is on the doorstep of the majors, and he proved why. Pitching the third and fourth innings for Oakland, he racked up a team-high four strikeouts while not allowing a single hit. The Athletics have several experienced arms—including Mason Barnett and Jack Perkins—but Hoglund’s calling card is elite control, and that was on full display. While his arsenal isn’t overwhelming, he confidently mixed in four pitches and looked major-league ready.
Denzel Clarke did a little bit of everything, making an impact in every phase of the game. He got the scoring started with an RBI infield single in the first, using his plus speed to leg out the hit. In the bottom half of the inning, he made a sliding catch in center field to rob De Vries of extra bases. To cap it all off, he stole the only base of the game—even with Salas behind the plate. While his performance wasn’t jaw-dropping, it was exactly the type of all-around game that raises a prospect’s stock.
On the San Diego side, lefty Jagger Haynes might not be a household name, but he impressed in a key sequence against Nick Kurtz. He battled through a seven-pitch at-bat, ultimately striking out the slugger on a nasty slider before ending the inning with a quick pickoff at first. It was one of those pure baseball moments you love to see—a pitcher winning a hard-fought duel and showing off his instincts on the mound.
Seattle Mariners @ Cleveland Guardians
What We Saw From The Top Prospects From Each Team:
Even though the Mariners boast baseball’s top farm system (per The Athletic’s Keith Law), all eyes were on last year’s top overall pick, Travis Bazzana. The Oregon State product is known for elite bat-to-ball skills, giving him one of the highest ceilings in the Guardians’ system. Bazzana didn’t see much action, but he still flashed his polish at the plate—ripping a 98 mph flyout to left field, drawing a walk, and scoring one of Cleveland’s four third-inning runs. He wasn’t a game-changer, but he certainly looked the part of a future big-league contributor.
Catcher Harry Ford can get lost in Seattle’s deep system, but the on-base machine showcased his patience and ability to work an at-bat. Super athletic for a catcher, Ford slashed .249/.377/.367 in Double-A last season, steadily progressing since being drafted by Seattle. He hasn’t made dramatic leaps, but he remains a reliable, well-rounded prospect in the Mariners’ system.
One of Seattle’s top infield prospects, Cole Young, had an uncharacteristically rough day at the plate. Known for his advanced hit tool, he failed to lift the ball, with all of his batted balls posting negative launch angles—resulting in a pair of groundouts and one hit. Young remains a solid future MLB piece, but his fantasy upside appears limited.
His fellow infield prospect, Colt Emerson, also fell victim to low launch angles, but his hard contact stood out—crushing a 107 mph single in the fifth inning. However, for a player with such a polished hit tool, his multiple in-zone whiffs were surprising. Still, finishing 1-for-3 isn’t anything to worry about.
On the Guardians’ side, outfielder Jaison Chourio continues to look more and more like his brother. His multi-hit performance led to two runs scored, despite not even attempting to flash his elite speed—which resulted in 78 stolen bases across his first 186 pro games (82.1% success rate). His high-energy style and all-out effort make him a potentially underrated prospect, even in a deep Cleveland system.
Which Prospects Struggled:
The script flipped quickly for Mariners right-hander Logan Evans on Friday. Through two innings, he was pounding the zone and delivering a performance most teams would take from a starter. Then came the Cleveland offensive barrage, and Evans managed to record only one out in the inning before exiting. By the end of his outing, he was tagged for six hits, one walk, four earned runs, and just one strikeout. While Evans isn’t known for overpowering stuff, he also rarely had blowup performances like this in the minors. It wasn’t his best showing, but given his track record of steady production, this might just be an outlier rather than a trend.
Jurrangelo Cijntje’s ability to switch pitch will draw plenty of attention this year, but curiosity will only last if the Florida State product delivers results. His Spring Breakout outing was far from pristine, as last year’s 15th overall pick issued two walks and allowed two hits over two innings. Cijntje looked like two different pitchers during his outing. In the fifth inning, he struggled with command, walking two batters. But by the sixth, he was far more composed, striking out two Guardians, including Travis Bazzana. His fastball-heavy approach hasn’t changed since the pre-draft process, though he flashed an intriguing cutter, along with a sinker and slider. It wasn’t a great day, but his stuff remains intriguing—he just needs to find more consistency on the mound.
Which Prospects Stood Out the Most:
Mariners outfielder Jared Sundstrom may have only had one hit on the day, but he made it count in a big way. He crushed a two-run home run to deep left field, sending it 108 mph off the bat—a no-doubter from the moment it left his bat. While Sundstrom isn’t projected to be an average-first hitter, he’s done his best to challenge that narrative, posting a .259/.370/.439 slash line across his first two pro seasons. His 13-homer, 26-steal campaign last year further highlights his potential, and if he hits the ground running in Double-A, he could be in line for a big jump up prospect rankings.
Tai Peete was unquestionably the Mariners’ hitter of the day. The 19-year-old shortstop racked up three hits, the most of any Seattle prospect, including a two-run home run in the sixth inning. Peete’s calling card has always been his untapped power, but his 45 stolen bases in his first full professional season make him even more intriguing as a potential power-speed threat. His strong Spring Breakout performance was no surprise—after all, he also delivered a double in last year’s inaugural event.
Kansas City Royals @ Arizona Diamondbacks
What We Saw From The Top Prospects From Each Team:
After an electric spring training with the big-league club, all eyes were on Jac Caglianone in Friday’s Spring Breakout matchup. The Royals’ top prospect crushed three home runs this spring, flashing the elite power that has fans dreaming of his MLB arrival. He had a chance for a Hollywood moment in the seventh, stepping up with the bases loaded and his team trailing, but his hard lineout to left ended the threat. Ultimately, Caglianone went 1-for-4, played all eight defensive innings at first base, and even made an impressive running grab in the outfield—perhaps a byproduct of the extra outfield reps he’s been getting on the backfields.
For Arizona, infielder Demetrio Crisantes lived up to his contact-first reputation, showing off his bat-to-ball skills and baserunning instincts. The 2022 seventh-round pick reached base twice via walks, scored two runs, and did exactly what you’d expect from one of the most consistent hitters in the minors. Last season, Crisantes led all teenage minor leaguers (min. 400 PA) in batting average (.341) and on-base percentage (.429) while ranking third in wRC+ (143).
Royals catcher Carter Jensen had a quiet but solid day, going 1-for-3 with his trademark plate discipline on display, even if his untapped power didn’t make an appearance.
Arizona’s top outfield prospect, Slade Caldwell, had few opportunities to showcase his talent, striking out in his lone plate appearance while playing three innings in center field. The 29th overall pick in 2023 remains one of the most exciting young bats in Arizona’s system, but Friday wasn’t his night.
Kansas City lefty Noah Cameron got the start but had a game to forget. He struggled to locate his offspeed pitches, allowing six hits and three walks over three innings. His lower-velocity fastball didn’t generate many whiffs, and Arizona hitters took advantage. Despite a strong spring training and solid Triple-A debut in 2024, this rough outing reinforced some of the concerns scouts have about his long-term upside.
Which Prospects Struggled:
Like Cameron, Royals right-hander Luinder Avila had some buzz coming into the game, after a strong Arizona Fall League stint and impressive spring training numbers. His overhead arm slot typically sets up his changeup and curveball well, but his fastball-slider combo wasn’t working. He allowed three earned runs on three hits in three innings, putting Kansas City in a deeper hole. The four strikeouts were a positive, but Avila still has work to do before pushing for a bigger role.
Arizona DH JD Dix had a rough day at the plate, striking out in both of his plate appearances—each time on three pitches. While his defense and speed remain his calling cards, seeing him struggle that much against pro pitching was disappointing.
Royals fans have been waiting for Gavin Cross to emerge, but his development continues to stall. The former first-rounder out of Virginia Tech struck out in both of his plate appearances, though he flashed his arm strength with an impressive outfield assist, nailing a runner at third base. Whether he repeats Double-A or gets a shot at Triple-A, Cross still has a lot to prove in 2025.
Which Prospects Stood Out the Most:
Right-hander Dylan Ray started for Arizona and looked sharp in two scoreless innings, striking out two batters. The Alabama alum’s stuff wasn’t overpowering, but he mixed his slider well, making Royals shortstop Daniel Vazquez look silly in the first inning while also freezing Cross for another K. Ray needs a bounce-back 2025 after a tough season with Amarillo, but Friday’s outing was an encouraging sign.
Arizona’s LuJames Groover put together one of the night’s best performances, tallying two extra-base hits and scoring twice. His gap-to-gap approach was on full display, and while he’s not known for speed, he stretched a hit into a triple, showcasing what a leaner, more athletic version of Groover can bring to the table in 2025.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons | By Carlos Leano