8 of the best team matchups in Spring Breakout

After Spring Breakout's dynamic debut last year, the prospect showcase event returns in full force for 2025.

All 30 Major League teams will field squads of top prospects to face off in 16 games from March 13-16 -- the Cubs and Nationals will play twice since there's an odd number of teams in the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues. Each game has the potential for featuring multiple Top 100 prospects, although, of course, some matchups stand out more than others.

While rosters won't be finalized until March 6, expect to see tons of tantalizing young talent -- last year, 71 of the Top 100 and nearly two-thirds of the 900 players on Pipeline's organization Top 30 Prospects lists participated. Here's a look at the eight most exciting team matchups.

1. Red Sox @ Rays, March 13, 7:05 p.m. ET
Buy tickets ?

Just like last year, Spring Breakout begins with the best matchup of the weekend. This showdown of future AL East rivals could include four of the best 12 prospects in baseball, all of whom are knocking on the door of the Majors: outfielder Roman Anthony (No. 2), second baseman Kristian Campbell (No. 7) and shortstop Marcelo Mayer (No. 12) for Boston and shortstop Carson Williams (No. 9) for Tampa Bay. Chances are this could be a high-scoring affair too, as all nine of the Top 100 prospects on these two teams are hitters.

The Rays have one of the deepest farm systems as well. Outfielders Chandler Simpson and Aidan Smith just missed the Top 100, and right-handers Gary Gill Hill and Trevor Harrison aren't far behind either. Boston is also quite deep in young up-the-middle talent, with the excellent defense of shortstop Franklin Arias (No. 76), the advanced hitting of shortstop Yoelin Cespedes and the multitool potential of center fielder Miguel Bleis.

2. Cubs @ Dodgers, March 13, 9:05 p.m. ET
Buy tickets ?

Another huge matchup on the first day of Spring Breakout, this game theoretically could feature 13 Top 100 prospects, the most of any over the weekend. Roki Sasaki, the top prospect in baseball, may be unlikely to play with Los Angeles readying for the Japan Series. But either way, the Dodgers could face a challenging lineup full of Top 100 prospects who ended last season at Triple-A in infielder Matt Shaw (No. 19), outfielder Owen Caissie (No. 54), catcher Moises Ballesteros (No. 69), second baseman James Triantos (No. 73) and outfielder Kevin Alc¨¢ntara (No. 90).

Oddly enough, two of the top Dodgers prospects were drafted by the Cubs. Southpaw Jackson Ferris (No. 71) and outfielder Zyhir Hope (No. 75) broke out last year after arriving in the Michael Busch trade and could join powerful Dalton Rushing (No. 30) and Josue De Paula (No. 40) in a loaded Dodgers Breakout lineup. Keep an eye on teenage infield prospects Joendry Vargas, Emil Morales and Kellon Lindsey, who are among the most highly anticipated prospects to be making their full-season debuts this year.

3. Mariners @ Guardians, March 14, 8:05 p.m. ET
Buy tickets ?

Expect another high-scoring contest as these two teams combine for 13 prospects on the Top 100 -- all of whom are hitters. And none is a bigger name than Travis Bazzana, the top pick in last July's Draft and MLB's No. 10 prospect. He is poised to bring some thump to a powerful Cleveland lineup that could feature outfielder Chase DeLauter (No. 36) and Top 10 first-base prospects Ralphy Velazquez (No. 8) and C.J. Kayfus (No. 9) as well.

Seattle, meanwhile, has an abundance of talented shortstops in Colt Emerson (No. 20), Cole Young (No. 49), Felnin Celesten (No. 74) and Michael Arroyo (No. 98) to go with hulking slugger Lazaro Montes (No. 42) and athletic catcher Harry Ford (No. 65). Mariners fans will also hope to see their top two Draft picks from 2024 who did not play last season: switch-pitching Jurrangelo Cijntje and prep righty Ryan Sloan (who just missed the Top 100).

4. Pirates @ Phillies, March 14, 1:05 p.m. ET
Buy tickets ?

This battle between Pennsylvania brethren stands out for what could be the best pitching matchup of Spring Breakout: Andrew Painter (MLB No. 8) against Bubba Chandler (No. 15). And even beyond them, these clubs have plenty of pitching depth from the upper Minors, with Thomas Harrington (No. 80), Braxton Ashcraft, Anthony Solometo and Hunter Barco on the Bucs and fireballer Mois¨¦s Chace and 2020 first-rounder Mick Abel on the Phils.

Pirates 2024 first-rounder Konnor Griffin (No. 43) is one of the most exciting prospects to watch this spring since he didn't have a chance to show off his five-tool potential after signing last year. The Phillies' lineup should be plenty tooled up too, with one of the fastest player in the Minors in Justin Crawford (No. 64) as well as notable sluggers Aidan Miller (No. 27) and Eduardo Tait (No. 93).

5. Rockies @ White Sox, March 16, 5:05 p.m. ET
Buy tickets ?

Yes, the White Sox have a 6-2 advantage in Top 100 prospects, but don't sleep on the Rockies' farm system. Chase Dollander (No. 25) is one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, and Charlie Condon (No. 29) was nearly the top pick in last year's Draft. Second baseman Adael Amador and outfielders Yanquiel Fernandez and Zac Veen were on the Top 100 last year, and athletic Cole Carrigg, a switch-hitter who can play essentially any position defensively, is a good bet to leap into that tier later this season.

Chicago's deep farm system brings the potential of the two best left-handed pitchers in the Minors -- Noah Schultz (MLB No. 16) and Hagen Smith (No. 34) -- and a pair of elite catching prospects -- Kyle Teel (No. 32) and Edgar Quero (No. 66). The White Sox bring plenty of firepower from the right side too, with Grant Taylor and Jairo Iriarte both touching triple digits. Switch-hitting outfielder Braden Montgomery (No. 55) will be especially worth watching since he did not play last year after getting drafted 12th overall.

• Subscribe to the MLB Pipeline Newsletter

6. Reds @ Brewers, March 16, 7:40 p.m. ET
Buy tickets ?

NL Central fans should be excited for this matchup because it could mark the first major professional stage for a pair of potential future All-Stars. Reds right-hander Chase Burns (No. 26) rested after a long college season that culminated in him getting drafted second overall in 2024 out of Wake Forest. Meanwhile, Brewers shortstop Jesus Made (No. 56) translated his impressive toolset into eye-popping numbers at the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League and is poised for a big season at Single-A Carolina.

Beyond those two, Brewers catcher Jeferson Quero (No. 47) is making his triumphant return this year after playing just one game before a season-ending injury in 2024. Milwaukee's Jacob Misiorowski (No. 100) may have the best stuff in the Minors, while Cincinnati's Rhett Lowder (No. 35) may have the best command. Plus there's a bevy of interesting infield prospects between Cooper Pratt (No. 57), Mike Boeve, Tyler Black and Eric Bitonti on the Brewers and Sal Stewart (No. 84), Cam Collier (No. 91), Edwin Arroyo (No. 92), Sammy Stafura and Tyson Lewis on the Reds.

7. Tigers @ Braves, March 16, 4:05 p.m. ET
Buy tickets ?

Detroit's farm system has one of the best crops of hitters around. Its top two picks from 2023, center fielder Max Clark (MLB No. 6) and middle infielder Kevin McGonigle (No. 28), have exceeded their quite high expectations, while top 2025 pick Bryce Rainer (No. 53) has the makings of a franchise shortstop. Slugging catcher/first-base prospects Thayron Liranzo (No. 82) and Josue Brice?o (No. 95) were major standouts at the Arizona Fall League, and Hao-Yu Lee could quickly become one of the best second-base prospects if he can stay healthy.

Atlanta can counter with a deep group of arms. Southpaw Cam Caminiti (No. 89), a 2024 first-rounder, is the lone Top 100 prospect, but AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep have previously made that cut, and Drue Hackenberg and Owen Murphy have strong pedigrees after earning bonuses of at least $2 million in the Draft. The Tigers have plenty of pitching too, led by Jackson Jobe (No. 5) and Jaden Hamm, both of whom impart excellent rise on their fastballs.

8. Yankees @ Orioles, March 15, 6:05 p.m. ET
Buy tickets ?

For a game with only three potential Top 100 prospects, these teams make them count. Orioles corner infielder Coby Mayo (No. 14) and Yankees outfielder Jasson Dom¨ªnguez (No. 21) are two of the front-runners to win AL Rookie of the Year, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Orioles catcher/first baseman Samuel Basallo (No. 13) at Camden Yards at some point this season as well. This could be an early preview of players who become key contributors in a tight AL East race.

Recent high Draft picks for each teams also stand out as key prospects to watch. Former Vanderbilt teammates Enrique Bradfield Jr. (Baltimore) and Spencer Jones (New York) bring elite speed and power, respectively, to the outfield. Yankees middle infield prospect George Lombard Jr. (a former Commodore commit) has average-or-better tools across the board with a high baseball IQ. Orioles 2024 first-rounder Vance Honeycutt, meanwhile, has an impressive power-speed combination despite questions about his ability to hit for average.