LIVE: D-backs-Rockies Spring Breakout

On Saturday, March 16, the Diamondbacks and Rockies will meet at the facility the teams share in Scottsdale, Ariz., in Spring Breakout, a first-of-its-kind exhibition featuring the top prospects in each farm system.

The D-backs rode a wave of young talent last year to a surprising berth in the World Series, and the Rockies are hoping that their recent drafts and youth movement can eventually follow suit.

Here’s everything to know about that game and this exciting new event.

What is Spring Breakout?
MLB Spring Breakout is a four-day event showcasing baseball’s future: the current stars of Minor League Baseball. The inaugural edition will be held from March 14-17 at Grapefruit and Cactus League stadiums during Spring Training. A series of 16 exhibition games will be played between teams comprised of each MLB organization’s top prospects, creating a new touchpoint on the baseball calendar that celebrates our sport’s budding talent.

• Complete Spring Breakout coverage

What time is the D-backs-Rockies game?
The Spring Breakout game will start at 4:10 p.m. MST at Salt River Fields, which is the spring home stadium for both clubs. The D-backs will play a regular Cactus League game against the Rangers in Surprise at 1:05 p.m. MST that day, while the Rockies play the A’s in a regular Cactus League game beginning at 1:10 p.m. MST/2:10 p.m. MDT also at Salt River Fields.

How can I tune in?
MLB Network, MLB Digital (MLB.TV, MLB.com, MLB App), Rockies.TV, ESPN+, Gameday

Which position player prospects are expected to play?

D-BACKS
The D-backs will have each of their Top 16 prospects to the game, including each of their last four No. 1 picks -- shortstop Jordan Lawlar (their No. 1 prospect), outfielder Druw Jones (No. 3), right-hander Landon Sims (No. 23) and shortstop Tommy Troy (No. 2). Third baseman Gino Groover, Arizona’s No. 5 prospect, has generated a lot of buzz in the organization, and outfielder Kristian Robinson (No. 16), who had an outstanding big league camp, are another couple of names to watch.

ROCKIES
The Rockies have sent all of their Top 10 MLB Pipeline prospects. As of the weekend, only two Top 10 members, catcher Drew Romo (No. 9) and outfielder Jordan Beck (No. 4), were still in Major League camp -- a fact that shows the youth of the talent in the system, as well as how seriously the Rockies are taking the event. Top Rockies prospect Adael Amador, a switch-hitting infielder, and outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez (No. 3) are key prospects listed.

Which pitching prospects are expected to play?

D-BACKS
A lot of who pitches will depend on how the schedule shakes out in the week ahead of the game, but there are plenty of interesting arms the D-backs could use in the game, starting with No. 4 prospect Yu-Min Lin, who was in big league camp earlier this month. Full roster can be found here.

ROCKIES
Ninth overall 2023 pick Chase Dollander (No. 2), a right-hander from the University of Tennessee, has not appeared in a professional regular-season game. Lefty Sean Sullivan (No. 14), a lefty from Wake Forest and last year's second-rounder, had a brief and stimulating pro debut last summer and will now have a chance in front of a wider audience. Lefty starters Joe Rock (No. 15) and Carson Palmquist (No. 16) were in big league camp. An interesting name on the roster is righty reliever Jaden Hill (No. 28) -- a second-round pick in ‘21. He had Tommy John right elbow surgery before the Draft and battled a shoulder issue and other ailments in Class A last year. But he is showing velocity and poise in Major League camp as a reliever. Full roster can be found here.

Why are certain top prospects not listed on the rosters?
The D-backs have every one of their top 16 prospects on the roster, so none of their bigger names have been left off, even Lawlar, who is still in big league camp.

Three Rockies right-handed starting pitchers -- 2022 first-rounder Gabriel Hughes (No. 17), ‘22 second-rounder Jackson Cox (No. 26) and international signee Jordy Vargas (No. 19) -- won't participate, but for good reason. They all had Tommy John surgery last summer and likely won't pitch under game conditions until instructional league this fall.