December 13, 2023
December is here, but we’re already looking forward to spring!
At MLB Pipeline, anticipation is growing after Wednesday’s announcement of the inaugural Spring Breakout – a series of 16 exhibition games across Arizona and Florida from March 14-17 that will showcase each farm system’s top prospects in Major League Spring Training facilities.
To pique your appetite even more, here are five of the most exciting matchups from the 2024 Spring Breakout schedule.
1. Orioles @ Pirates, March 14, 7:05 p.m. ET/4:05 p.m. PT
The first matchup on the Spring Breakout schedule promises to be its most loaded. As things stand, this Orioles-Pirates exhibition could feature as many as 10 of MLB Pipeline’s current Top 100 prospects – six from Baltimore, four from Pittsburgh.
While pitching matchups are far from being determined, just the thought of pitting 2023 No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes against 2022 No. 1 overall pick Jackson Holliday would make this a must-watch baseball game. With plenty of future slugging stars like Samuel Basallo and Coby Mayo backing Holliday up in the lineup, the O’s are sure to have a strong lineup, while the Bucs might keep them at bay with an array of arms including Jared Jones and Anthony Solometo alongside Skenes. Truly a battle of power vs power.
2. Rays @ Twins, March 16, 4:05 p.m. ET/1:05 p.m. PT
Anything can happen in a one-game baseball exhibition, but the Spring Breakout provides prospects the opportunity to solidify their potential stardom. You can bet that top Tampa Bay talent Junior Caminero, fresh off his MLB debut, will be eager to display his plus-plus raw power against other top prospects. The Rays could potentially have a whole infield of Top 100 names, with Carson Williams at shortstop, Curtis Mead at second base, and Xavier Isaac at first base.
Twins fans will be eagerly looking forward to watching 2023 top pick Walker Jenkins share an outfield with No. 3 prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez and getting a closer look at shortstop Brooks Lee ahead of a potential MLB debut early in ’24.
3. Reds @ Rangers, March 14, 6:05 p.m. ET/3:05 p.m. PT
The defending World Series champs used Evan Carter to great effect last fall. How quickly could Wyatt Langford join him in Arlington? Manager Bruce Bochy says that the 2023 No. 4 overall pick will get an extended look in the spring, and a strong Breakout performance would certainly bolster his case. On the Cincinnati front, first-rounder Rhett Lowder has yet to pitch in pro ball,
