After debuting last spring, MLB’s Spring Breakout Games will continue this season, with 16 contests being played from March 13th to 16th. The premise is to showcase the organization’s top prospects across the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues.
Last year, 71 of the Top-100 prospects per MLB Pipeline were on the rosters league-wide. The Phillies matchup will be against the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 14 at 1:05 p.m. in Clearwater, Florida at BayCare Ballpark. The Phillies announced on Thursday that 22 of their top 30 prospects per MLB Pipeline will be on the roster.
Pitchers
The following pitchers were selected for the Spring Breakout roster.
| Player | Ranking (Phillies System) |
| Andrew Painter | #1 |
| Moises Chace | #5 |
| Mick Abel | #8 |
| Jean Cabrera | #11 |
| Mavis Graves | #17 |
| Alex McFarlane | #18 |
| Micah Ottenbreit | #27 |
| Griff McGarry | #30 |
While Painter is on the roster, he will not be participating in the game itself. He is under a strict rehab phase as he continues to recover from the Tommy John Surgery that cost him the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Mick Abel has not yet pitched in a Spring game.
Catchers
| Player | Ranking (Phillies System) |
| Eduardo Tait | #4 |
| Alirio Ferrebus | #25 |
| Caleb Ricketts | #28 |
Eduardo Tait has yet to put on the red pinstripes in Spring Training, but the Phillies’ top catching prospect is full of potential. Tait is 18-years old but the 93rd ranked prospect by MLB.com will be a player to watch in this matchup.
Infielders
| Player | Ranking (Phillies System) |
| Aidan Miller | #2 |
| Devin Saltiban | #9 |
| Aroon Escobar | #13 |
| Bryan Rincon | #14 |
| Carson DeMartini | #15 |
| Otto Kemp | #23 |
Aidan Miller, Carson DeMartini, and Otto Kemp all got a chance to shine in big league camp this Spring. While Miller is the top position player in the club’s system, it did not take away from the other’s shine. DeMartini, the Phillies 4th round pick last season, really made the most of his chances.
On Friday, Otto Kemp continued to roll, recording an RBI double against the Pirates.
Outfielders
| Player | Ranking (Phillies System) |
| Justin Crawford | #3 |
| Dante Nori | #6 |
| Griffin Burkholder | #7 |
| Gabriel Rincones Jr | #10 |
| Hendry Mendez | #24 |
The combination of Crawford and Rincones Jr has been excited to watch in Spring Training. Between Rincoines Jr’s power and Crawford’s speed, both players are no strangers to a highlight reel.
Phillies-Pirates
The Phillies and Pirates will be the second of six games played on Friday, March 14th. Fans can watch the game either on NBCSP+ or nationally on MLB Network.
You can find more information and other matchups for Spring Breakout Games here.
Photo by Alec Kostival
