Here's the Astros' Spring Breakout roster
Brian McTaggart
@brianmctaggartWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Just because the Astros don¡¯t have any players on MLB Pipeline¡¯s Top 100 list doesn¡¯t mean the organization won¡¯t have some top-notch talent on display in MLB¡¯s inaugural Spring Breakout, a showcase of the game¡¯s best young talent that will be held in Florida and Arizona from March 14-17.
The Astros will have 22 of their top 30 prospects as ranked by MLB Pipeline, including each of their top nine prospects, on the roster for their March 17 game against top prospects from the Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla. The list includes No. 1 prospect Jacob Melton, an outfielder who was recently reassigned to Minor League camp, top pitching prospect Spencer Arrighetti and shortstop Brice Matthews, the team¡¯s first-round draft pick last year.
Arrighetti was named the Astros¡¯ Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2023 after going 9-7 with a 4.40 ERA in 28 games, including 21 starts between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land. He¡¯s competing for a spot in Houston¡¯s rotation to start the season.
¡°It would be a fantastic experience to pitch on that stage,¡± Arrighetti said. ¡°I know obviously it¡¯s been made to be a very big deal this year. It¡¯s very new. I¡¯m sure guys are excited. It¡¯s a great atmosphere when you get that many great players in the same space, especially ones that are hungry to make a name for themselves still.¡±
Joey Loperfido was the team¡¯s Minor League Player of the Year last season after hitting .278 with 79 runs, 27 doubles, three triples, 25 home runs, 78 RBIs, 65 walks, 27 stolen bases and a .880 OPS in 124 games between High-A Asheville, Corpus Christi and Sugar Land.
¡°I definitely felt like I played with a lot of these guys coming up through the system, but to kind of get everybody in once place on the same day for a game like that should be really exciting,¡± Loperfido said. ¡°I think when you look at our system, it may not be the highest ranked, but I think everybody in this building knows how talented that group is and that there¡¯s a lot of good to come up through the system through every level, from Triple-A all the way down through the complex. It should be fun.¡±
Of MLB Pipeline¡¯s Top 100 players, 72 are committed to play in the Spring Breakout. The top three overall prospects -- Orioles shortstop Jackson Holliday, Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio and Pirates right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes -- are slated to participate, as are 15 of the top 20 prospects.
The Cubs and Padres have the most Top 100 prospects participating, with five each. The D-backs have their top 16 prospects playing, while the Padres have their top 14 prospects committed. The Royals and Brewers have the most Top 30 prospects slated to participate, with 24 each.
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.
Here's the Astros' Spring Breakout roster with MLB Pipeline's rankings:
*Removed from roster