Here's the Rays' Spring Breakout roster
Adam Berry
@adamdberryPORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- The Rays have arguably the deepest Minor League system in baseball, with talented prospects at all levels from the big leagues down to the Rookie-level complex leagues.
For one night, they¡¯ll get many of those players to share the same field.
Rosters were announced Thursday for the second Spring Breakout showcase, and Tampa Bay¡¯s squad -- for what should be a fascinating matchup against Boston -- is loaded with potential big leaguers. The Rays¡¯ team will be managed by the coaching staff from their High-A Bowling Green affiliate, which won the South Atlantic League title last year.
¡°With the success that we had last year throughout the Minor Leagues, highlighted by a Bowling Green championship, being able to see all those players come together in one place will be pretty special,¡± Rays vice president/assistant GM Kevin Ibach said. ¡°It¡¯s a special night for the players. ¡ This one being prime time, at night, at home -- should be a special night for all parties involved.¡±
What is Spring Breakout?
MLB Spring Breakout is a four-day event showcasing baseball¡¯s future: the current stars of Minor League Baseball. The second edition will be held from March 13-16 at Grapefruit and Cactus League stadiums during Spring Training. Sixteen 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 the sport¡¯s budding talent.
When is the Rays¡¯ game?
The Rays¡¯ Spring Breakout game against the Red Sox will take place on Thursday, March 13, at 7:05 p.m. ET. Tampa Bay will host Boston at Charlotte Sports Park.
How can I tune in?
MLB.TV, MLB.com, MLB App, FDSNSUN App, NESN, MLB Network, WEEI 850AM, RaysBaseball.com, Gameday
Which position players are expected to play?
Pretty much all of the Rays¡¯ top position-player prospects are set to take part in the game, a group highlighted by top prospect Carson Williams, first basemen Xavier Isaac (No. 2) and Tre¡¯ Morgan (No. 4), infielder Brayden Taylor (No. 3) and outfielders Theo Gillen (No. 5), Aidan Smith (No. 6) and Chandler Simpson (No. 7).
This will surely be another showcase for Simpson, the speedy center fielder who started turning heads as soon as Spring Training began. It could be interesting to see him in the same outfield as Smith and Gillen, two younger prospects who are also expected to play center, and potentially slugging outfielder Brailer Guerrero (No. 10) as well.
Which pitching prospects are expected to play?
Four of the Rays¡¯ top five pitching prospects are lined up to pitch in the game, and the right-handers will be built up to potentially pitch two innings each: Santiago Suarez (No. 9), Trevor Harrison (No. 11), Gary Gill Hill (No. 12) and Jackson Baumeister (No. 14).
Suarez, Harrison and Gill Hill finished last season in Single-A Charleston¡¯s postseason rotation, while Baumeister came over from the Orioles in the Zach Eflin trade. The Rays could back up their starters with some electric bullpen arms, including Ben Peoples and Paul Gervase.
Why are certain top prospects not listed on the roster?
The Rays are running out most of the players from their new Top 30 Prospects list, with a few other highly regarded Minor Leaguers (like catcher Nathan Flewelling and infielder Mac Horvath) behind them. There are a few exceptions, however, mostly on the pitching side.
Top pitching prospect Brody Hopkins (No. 8) is on turn to pitch another day, so he is unavailable. Lefty reliever Mason Montgomery (No. 16), right-hander Yoniel Curet (No. 15) and lefty starters Ian Seymour (No. 20) and Joe Rock (No. 22) have been in big league camp. Additionally, catcher Dominic Keegan (No. 13) is nursing a sore throwing shoulder and shortstop Gregory Barrios (No. 18) has been limited in camp by a right elbow issue.
What is the full roster?
INFIELDERS
Carson Williams, SS, No. 1 (MLB No. 9)
Xavier Isaac, 1B, No. 2 (MLB No. 50)
Brayden Taylor, INF, No. 3 (MLB No. 66)
Tre' Morgan, 1B/OF, No. 4 (MLB No. 93)
Adrian Santana, SS, No. 19
Emilien Pitre, 2B, No. 23
Cooper Kinney, 2B/3B, No. 24
Will Simpson, 1B, No. 30
Mac Horvath, 3B, NR