2026 Spring Breakout Guide: Players and Matchups To Watch

It’s March Madness and this isn’t about the NCAA Tournament with teams aiming to cut down nets and go on championship runs. There won’t be any brackets busting or bubbles bursting. It’s prospect madness.

Over the next four days, MLB presents the third edition of Spring Breakout. This event typically brings a close to the Spring Training marathon, giving fans a unique opportunity to focus on their teams’ farm systems before most of the prospects head for minor league organizations. While prospects are typically visible throughout regular Spring Training on both back field games and the big league games, they are often overshadowed by the organization’s conventional stars taking the diamond. This three-day showcase is all about the prospects: showcasing the stars of tomorrow. If you are still on the fence about tuning in to this future star extravaganza, here is one must-watch name for each Breakout game.

Note: Spring Breakout rosters and lineups are subject to change. Managers may choose to keep prospects in big league camp as the final cuts near.

THURSDAY 3/19

Astros vs. Marlins (12:05 pm EST)

Player to watch: Brice Matthews, SS (Houston)

Houston’s Matthews is a Tier 2 prospect in a thin farm system, but he is expected to take on a role in the major leagues immediately in 2026. Matthews is currently slated to make the Astros’ Opening Day roster as a utility man, but any injuries to Houston’s older infield would thrust him into a starting role in a team with playoff aspirations. His power and athleticism makes him a fun watch, but Astros fans should focus in on how Matthews performs against the Marlins’ top arms. He is hitting .214 over 12 Spring Training games.

Phillies vs. Twins (1:05 pm)

Player to watch: Andrew Painter, RHP (Philadelphia)

MLB-rostered arm Painter takes the mound in Spring Breakout; with top-end starter Zack Wheeler’s status still up in the air for Opening Day, the 23-year-old will play a crucial role in Philadelphia’s rotation that faces a tough NL East. The Phillies are in win-now mode, but that depends on Painter’s ability to move through the major league learning curve quickly and become a reliable starter. The stuff is clearly there. His main concern comes down to fastball accuracy and velocity. He has an opportunity to test his heater against the Twins bats and cut down on his solid 3.52 ERA from Spring Training.

Angels vs. Guardians (2:00 pm)

Player to watch: Chase DeLauter, OF (Cleveland)

Cleveland’s October call-up is at the forefront of the conversation for the American League Rookie of the Year award. He is slashing an outstanding .400 over nine games in Spring Training and is making a serious push to join the Guardians’ Opening Day outfield with cornerstone Steven Kwan. DeLauter will matchup against Angels top prospect pitcher and 2025’s 2nd overall draft pick Tyler Bremner.

Chase DeLauter in Spring Training:

?.538 AVG
?.923 OPS
?95.4 average EV (107.2 max)

We’re in store for a huge rookie season #GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/AM6gXGneq3

— SleeperGuardians (@SleeperGuards) March 12, 2026

Nationals vs. Guardians (4:10 pm)

Player to watch: Liam Doyle, LHP (St. Louis)

St. Louis has undoubtedly been desperate for a star arm. Pitching was a major aspect to the Cardinals’ playoff runs in the 2010s and their recent Sonny Gray is just another example of pitchers who couldn’t become “The Guy” at Busch Stadium. Doyle is going to be special for St. Louis. He ended 2025 in Double-A after being drafted just two months earlier. His Spring Breakout innings and outings in 2026 could contribute towards a MLB call up at the end of this season.

Mets vs. Rays (7:10 pm)

Player to watch: Brendan Summerhill, OF (Tampa Bay)

Summerhill slipped into the early second round of last June’s MLB Draft after being a consensus mid first rounder. Tampa capitalized on the value, and that value showed through his 10 games in A-ball with a .333 batting average. Summerhill is listed as a Tier 3 prospect but is poised to display his offensive prowess against a big market Mets team.

Giants vs. Reds (9:05 pm)

Player to watch: Josuar Gonzalez, SS (San Francisco)

One of 2025’s top international youngsters, Tier 3 prospect Gonzalez, aims to make his mark with 2026 being his first year in the USA. He has looked strong in limited Spring Training appearances, but Spring Breakout provides San Francisco fans with their first real look at their shortstop of the future. His bat is a work in progress as all 18-year-olds are, but his athletic tools on defense and on the basepath should make Buster Posey & company excited.

FRIDAY 3/20

Rangers vs. Royals (4:00 pm)

Player to watch: Carter Jensen, C (Kansas City)

Jensen has been THE story of Cactus League Spring Training. He made his MLB debut on September 2nd, but has elevated preseason hype with three home runs (one of those going 438 feet) and a solid .267 batting average. Jensen is currently in a battle to make Kansas City’s Opening Day roster, but as longtime backstop Salvador Perez continues to age he will get opportunities with the Royals very soon.

Brewers vs. Mariners (5:10 pm)

Player to watch: Kade Anderson, LHP (Seattle)

Seattle’s Anderson has given up five earned runs over seven Spring Training innings, but the LSU product can still climb up to the major leagues by the end of the season to join a playoff run. Anderson has a strong pitch mix which results in those highlight “fools” of batters. Mariners fans, get ready for those from the Breakout game. He faces MLB’s consensus farm system in Brewers.

“The mentality standpoint, it’s half the battle, so I’m really just trying to work on that.”

Kade Anderson (MLB’s No. 21 prospect) worked through a tough inning for the @Mariners in his latest start, going on to retire 8 of his last 10 batters: https://t.co/12sFgpFp2o pic.twitter.com/ybwMyv9TFw

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 14, 2026

Orioles vs. Red Sox (6:05 pm)

Player to watch: Franklin Arias, SS (Boston)

Last year’s Spring Breakout game saw Boston’s “Big Three” prospect trio of Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Kristian Campbell all hit home runs. Campbell used the Breakout game and a strong Spring Training to earn a spot on the Red Sox’s Opening Day roster. While Arias isn’t pushing for an MLB spot, a strong performance could see a placement in Triple-A to begin 2026. Arias’ task is simple: perform and wait out for a roster change in Boston, injury or trade, for a roster spot to come open.

Pirates vs. Tigers (7:35 pm)

Players to watch: Konnor Griffin, SS (Pittsburgh) and Kevin McGonigle, SS (Detroit)

This is the must-see event of Spring Breakout. Detroit hosts projected MLBer McGonigle, Pittsburgh hosts Griffin, who has been arguably, the most hyped prospect in the last five years. Both teams have strong pitching to create competitive at bats throughout the evening. These two organizations have been in the dumps for the last 10 years, now they both have positivity in the minor and major leagues. The Tigers aim to use McGonigle and their crop of youngsters to retool a playoff roster. The Pirates aim to come out of the rebuild phrase led by Griffin.

This Kevin McGonigle swing 😍 pic.twitter.com/S2BEeYglgb

— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) March 3, 2026

SATURDAY 3/21

Phillies vs. Blue Jays (1:05 pm)

Player to watch: Arjun Nimmala, SS (Toronto)

Nimmala was recently cut from Toronto’s big league camp on March 16, lasting through previous cut rounds at just 20 years old. He is a highly skilled infielder; his offseason bulk up has only grown his defensive ability with long throws. Jays fans hope for an efficient day at the plate against a Philadelphia prospect group that has just two pitchers in tiers 1-3.

Dodgers vs. White Sox (5:30 pm)

Player to watch: Noah Schultz, LHP (Chicago)

Schultz gives off the feel of a big-time pitcher; his large height and size combination in tandem with his heater/slider duo. He excites fans with his swing-and-miss potential but could run into issues against the 2nd ranked farm system in the Dodgers. How will Josue De Paula, Eduardo Quintero, and Zyhir Hope fare against Chicago’s future ace?

Yankees vs. Braves

Player to watch: George Lombard Jr. SS (New York)

Lombard has made headlines for his heroic multi-hit games or mammoth home runs but also has been the subject of criticism for struggles with getting on base throughout the minor leagues. The 20-year-old reached Double-A last season but faces an uphill battle with a loaded Yankees lineup. If he performs well in this televised outing, New York fans will restart the Lombard hype train with the season upcoming.

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies (8:00 pm)

Player to watch: Charlie Condon, OF (Colorado)

He was one of the hottest names in the 2024 MLB Draft after tearing through SEC pitching. Condon is knocking on the door of Colorado’s roster after reaching Double-A in 2025. He has had a fantastic Spring Training (.371 BA in 18 games) and has shown he is comfortable at first base and in the outfield. The Rockies are in need of hitters to compliment Brenton Doyle and are desperate for a budding young star to become franchise cornerstone.

Cubs vs. Padres (9:05 pm)

Player to watch: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP (San Diego)

Schoolcraft is a lesser-known prospect, as most high schoolers are, but has a chance to become a real blue-chip arm with the Spring Breakout and with this upcoming season overall. He faces a star-studded Chicago prospect lineup with multiple players who have spent time in the major leagues. This showcase could be his “Breakout” moment as a future ace in San Diego.

SUNDAY 3/22

Athletics vs. Brewers (4:05 pm)

Player to watch: Leo De Vries, SS (Athletics)

De Vries won’t start in the major leagues to begin the season, but the 19-year-old will likely be one of the first prospects in baseball to receive the call-up. He hit over .400 this spring and has continued to produce highlight defensive plays. The question remains can this Spring Breakout turn the De Vries call up from a “knocking on the door” scenario to a “breaking down the door” situation. The Athletics’ brass could use a victory with the payoff of the Mason Miller trade.

Spring Breakout is moving towards a tournament next season. This will only grow the hype and competition between organizations and the pride within farm systems. More importantly, a playoff format with a champion shows that Rob Manfred and Major League Baseball have seen the  attendance and TV viewership success of the Breakout event and want to expand it. After all, who wouldn’t want to catch a prospect pool showdown?