Here's the Red Sox's Spring Breakout roster
Ian Browne
@IanMBrowneFORT MYERS, Fla. ¨C Not since the days of Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rafael Devers have the Red Sox had so much excitement surrounding their farm system. With MLB¡¯s second annual Spring Breakout event on tap next week, 20 of Boston¡¯s Top 30 prospects will have a chance to put their skills on display.
Even the veterans have taken notice of what is in the Pipeline.
¡°They¡¯re gamers. They want to play,¡± Red Sox infielder Alex Bregman said. ¡°They love the game. It's been really fun to see. I have a lot of respect for all of them.¡±
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 game?
The Red Sox will send their top Minor Leaguers to Port Charlotte to face the Rays, who always seem to have a loaded farm system. The game will take place on March 13 at 7:05 p.m. The next day, though it¡¯s not classified as a Spring Breakout game, a split squad of Red Sox big leaguers will face the club¡¯s top prospects in a home game at JetBlue Park. That game is being dubbed as the Futures at Fenway South.
How can I tune in?
Which position players are expected to play?
Anthony, an outfielder with a sweet swing and power, has rocketed through the farm system since Boston selected him out of high school in the 2022 MLB Draft. Infielder/outfielder Campbell, known as a freak athlete who can play every position but catcher and first base, is known for his bat speed and his swing decisions. Shortstop Mayer, the fourth overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, moves gracefully on defense and has hits to all fields from the left side.
Which pitching prospects are expected to play?
Righty David Sandlin has perhaps the best velocity of any starting pitcher in Boston¡¯s system. The team¡¯s No. 9 prospect was acquired from the Royals last season for reliever John Schreiber. He hit 100 mph on the radar gun during an offseason workout.
Connolly Early, a promising lefty, threw up to 96 mph at times last year. The club¡¯s No. 10 prospect is known for his location and pitchability. Righty Hunter Dobbins (No. 13) has impressed Red Sox manager Alex Cora with some solid outings recently in the Grapefruit League.
Why are certain top prospects not listed on the roster?
Righty Luis Perales, who ranks No. 5 in the system, is recovering from Tommy John surgery. No. 8 prospect Dorian Soto is the only other member of the team¡¯s Top 10 not in the Spring Breakout roster, and that¡¯s because the 17-year-old was just signed as an international free agent in January.
What is the full roster?
PITCHERS
David Sandlin, RHP, No. 9
Connelly Early, LHP, No. 10
Hunter Dobbins, RHP, No. 13
Payton Tolle, LHP, No. 16
Juan Valera, RHP, No. 18
Jedixson Paez, RHP, No. 20
Yordanny Monegro, RHP, No. 23
Blake Wehunt, RHP, No. 27
Jojo Ingrassia, LHP, No. 28
Brandon Clarke, LHP, No. 29
Cooper Adams, RHP, NR
Reidis Sena, RHP, NR
Adam Smith, RHP, NR
INFIELDERS
Kristian Campbell, 2B/SS/OF, No. 2 (MLB No. 7)
Marcelo Mayer, SS, No. 3 (MLB No. 12)
Franklin Arias, SS/2B, No. 4 (MLB No. 75)
Yoeilin Cespedes, SS/2B, No. 7
Mikey Romero, SS/2B, No. 11
Blaze Jordan, 1B, NR