Here are the prospects with the best tools in Spring Breakout
The inaugural edition of Spring Breakout was a rousing success last year. Sixteen games showcased not only many of baseball's best prospects but also some of the most jaw-dropping tools in the Minors. Of the 10 best individual attributes we highlighted a year ago, nine belonged to players who reached
The inaugural edition of Spring Breakout was a rousing success last year. Sixteen games showcased not only many of baseball's best prospects but also some of the most jaw-dropping tools in the Minors.
Of the 10 best individual attributes we highlighted a year ago, nine belonged to players who reached the Majors later in 2024. National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes (fastball, slider) made the biggest impact at that level, while others such as Pete-Crow Armstrong (defense), Rhett Lowder (control), Masyn Winn (arm) and James Wood (power) also stood out.
This year should feature more of the same, with 73 Top 100 prospects scheduled to participate. Below, we break down the best tools that will be seen on Grapefruit and Cactus league diamonds, as well as on MLB's streaming platforms (MLB.com, MLB.TV and the MLB app, all games live and blackout-free) and eight live broadcasts on MLB Network.
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Numbers in parentheses indicate grades on the 20-80 scouting scale, with 50 representing big league average.
Best hitter: Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians (70)
Bazzana went No. 1 overall in the 2024 Draft because he was the best hitter available. He won the Cape Cod League batting title (.375) in 2023 before slashing .407/.568/.911 with an Oregon State-record 28 homers last spring. He has no obvious weakness at the plate, employing a compact left-handed stroke with plenty of bat speed, making smart swing decisions and producing a lot of hard contact.
Also in the running: Colt Emerson, SS/3B, Mariners; Chandler Simpson, OF, Rays; James Triantos, 2B/OF, Cubs; JJ Wetherholt, SS, Cardinals
Best power: Jac Caglianone, 1B, Royals (70)
The No. 6 overall choice in the 2024 Draft, Caglianone has more usable power than anyone in the Minors. He's both physical and athletic at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, and he hits balls harder and farther than most big leagues can. He led NCAA Division I with 33 homers in 2023 before setting Florida records for round-trippers in a single season (35, second in D-I) and career (75) last spring. He has gone deep three times in 11 Cactus League at-bats, including a 444-foot jack on Sunday.
Also in the running: Charlie Condon, OF/3B, Rockies; Bryce Eldridge, 1B, Giants; Xavier Isaac, 1B, Rays; Sebastian Walcott, SS/3B, Rangers
Best speed: Chandler Simpson, OF, Rays (80)
Scouts joke about Simpson possessing 90 speed on the 20-80 scale, but it really may be closer to 100. He can fly from the left side of the plate to first base in less than 3.8 seconds and topped the Minors with 94 steals in his first full pro season and 104 in his second. An excellent contact hitter who also led MiLB with a .355 average and 3 percent swinging strike rate, he's hard to keep off base and prevent from running wild once he reaches.
Also in the running: Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF, Orioles; Dasan Brown, OF, Blue Jays; Kendall George, OF, Dodgers; Kellon Lindsey, SS, Dodgers
Best defender: Carson Williams, SS, Rays (70)
A Minor League Gold Glove winner in 2022, Williams has all the tools to earn similar accolades in the big leagues. He has slick actions, range to both sides, quick hands and one of the strongest arms in the Minors (more on that below). Not only can he execute spectacular plays, but he also consistently makes the routine ones, committing just nine errors in 113 games last year.
Also in the running: Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF, Orioles; Starlyn Caba, SS, Marlins; Tre’ Morgan, 1B/OF, Rays; Ethan Salas, C, Padres
Best arm: Carson Williams, SS, Rays (70)
When Williams was a California high schooler, some scouts liked him more as a right-handed pitcher than a shortstop after watching him run his fastball up to 95 mph and back it up with a tight slider. His arm stands out not only for its strength but also for its impressive accuracy.
Also in the running: Cole Carrigg, OF/SS/C, Rockies; Blake Mitchell, C, Royals; Braden Montgomery, OF, White Sox; Sebastian Walcott, SS/3B, Rangers
Best fastball: Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers (80)
There are so many reasons to love Misiorowski's fastball. It parks at 97-98 mph and peaks at 101. It comes with plenty of carry and armside run. His 6-foot-7 frame and low arm slot provide a wider angle and more extension than most pitchers can create. His heater generated a 31 percent swing-and-miss rate between Double-A and Triple-A last year, a figure that would have ranked fifth in the Majors.
Also in the running: Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates; George Klassen, RHP, Angels; Jarlin Susana, RHP, Nationals; Reynaldo Yean, RHP, Dodgers
Best curveball: Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers (70)
Misiorowski's curveball also devastates hitters, who went just 1-for-40 with a .025/.133/.025 slash line against it in 2024. His bender has more power than most, sitting in the mid-80s and topping out at 89 mph, and features huge downer break. His sharp low-90s slider isn't bad either.
Also in the running: Mason Adams, RHP, White Sox; Eric Cerantola, RHP, Royals; Dax Fulton, LHP, Marlins; Ben Hess, RHP, Yankees
Best slider: Noah Schultz, LHP, White Sox (70)
Thanks to his 6-foot-9 frame and low three-quarters arm slot, Schultz creates stunning horizontal movement on his dastardly slider. It has depth to it as well and continues to gain velocity, climbing as high as 88 mph. He can throw his slide piece for strikes or get hitters to fish for it off the plate, and it eats up lefties and righties alike.
Also in the running: Brody Brecht, RHP, Rockies; Chase Burns, RHP, Reds; Cade Horton, RHP, Cubs; Emiliano Teodo, RHP, Rangers
Best changeup: Carson Whisenhunt, LHP, Giants (70)
Whisenhunt ranked second in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League with 135 strikeouts last year, 71 of which came on changeups. He sells his tumbling 78-81 mph cambio with fastball arm speed and shows the feel for manipulating its shape and depth. His Triple-A chase (49 percent) and swing-and-miss rates (47 percent) were outlandish and both would have ranked second in the big leagues.
Also in the running: Luis Gastelum, RHP, Cardinals; Marquis Grissom Jr., RHP, Nationals; Bradgley Rodriguez, RHP, Padres; Craig Yoho, RHP, Brewers
Best control: Jedixson Paez, RHP, Red Sox (70)
Since signing for $450,000 out of Venezuela in 2021, Paez has posted a 3.25 ERA and 4 percent walk rate while succeeding at four different levels. He's coming off his best season yet, ranking second in the Minors in K/BB ratio (9.5) and third in walk rate (3 percent) among pitchers with 90 or more innings in 2024. He works from a low three-quarters slot with a flat approach angle, addling life and deception to his pitches without compromising his control.
Also in the running: Ryan Johnson, RHP, Angels; Adam Mazur, RHP, Marlins; Austin Peterson, RHP, Guardians; Steven Zobac, RHP, Royals
Jim Callis is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him @jimcallisMLB and @jimcallis.bsky.social. Listen to him on the weekly MLB Pipeline Podcast.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Welcome New Owner, Diamond Baseball Holdings
Front Office Staff Remains in Place Under Existing Club Leadership RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIF. (December 12, 2024) – The owners of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes announced today they have entered into an agreement to sell the team to Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), an organization that owns and operates select minor league
Quakes Finish 2024 Season with Loss to Rawhide
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The 2024 came to an end on Sunday afternoon, as the playoff-bound Visalia Rawhide defeated the Quakes at LoanMart Field by a final of 6-2. Visalia jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning against Rancho starter Eriq Swan (0-1) and cruised to the
Gutierrez, Decker Dazzle in Rancho Win
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – One night after being eliminated from playoff contention, the Quakes staged a late rally and beat the Visalia Rawhide, winning on Saturday night by a final of 6-4 at LoanMart Field. Cameron Decker blasted a three-run homer (12) in the first, then broke a 4-4 tie
Quakes Eliminated by Rawhide
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Visalia Rawhide eliminated the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes from playoff contention on Friday night at LoanMart Field, taking a convincing 7-0 victory. The win for the Rawhide secures the final playoff spot, as they’ll be the #2 seed and host the Lake Elsinore Storm next Tuesday
Decker Keeps Quakes Alive with Walk-Off
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – Cameron Decker’s walk-off blast in the ninth made Friday’s game meaningful, as the Quakes outlasted the Visalia Rawhide on Thursday night by a final of 8-6 at LoanMart Field. After blowing a three-run lead in the ninth, Rancho, which didn’t have a hit since the third,
Quakes Fall, Now in Must-Win Mode
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Visalia Rawhide have pushed the Quakes to elimination, after Wednesday’s 5-1 loss at LoanMart Field. Now with four games to play in the regular season, the Quakes must beat the Rawhide in all four remaining games in order to qualify for the playoffs. A four-run
Quakes Very Much Alive After Shutout of Visalia
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes strengthened their playoff hopes on Tuesday night, as they shut out the Visalia Rawhide by a final of 2-0 at LoanMart Field. Needing five of six in the series in order to gain a playoff berth, the Quakes pitched one of their
Quakes Fall Sunday, Need Five of Six Next Week
San Jose, CA – The San Jose Giants took the final game of the six-game series on Sunday afternoon, grabbing a 5-2 win over the Quakes at Excite Ballpark. Cesar Quintas, who made a pair of diving catches in center field, had two hits, including a two-run homer (12) as
Quakes Smash Two Bombs for Third Straight "W"!
San Jose, CA – Zyhir Hope and Cameron Decker both slugged home runs and the Quakes won their third straight game over the Giants, taking a 6-4 victory at Excite Ballpark on Saturday evening. Hope’s two-run homer (9) put Rancho up early in the first, while Decker’s three-run shot gave
Quakes Win Second Straight in San Jose
San Jose, CA – The Quakes scored three runs in the ninth and held on for an exciting 6-4 win over the San Jose Giants on Friday night at Excite Ballpark. Cameron Decker’s RBI single tied the game and Samuel Munoz capped the inning with an RBI single to give
Quakes Explode for Big Win In San Jose
San Jose, CA – A seven-run explosion in the sixth inning helped Rancho end a five-game losing streak, as the Quakes pummeled the San Jose Giants on Thursday night by a final of 9-1 at Excite Ballpark. Elijah Hainline had two hits and two RBIs and Cameron Decker hit a
Giants Drop Quakes on Wednesday
San Jose, CA – The Quakes dropped their fifth straight on Wednesday afternoon, as the Giants took a 9-5 win at Excite Ballpark. A five-run sixth put San Jose ahead for good, as the Quakes dropped their second straight to open the six-game series and their tenth in their last
Late Loss for Rancho on Tuesday
San Jose, CA – Ty Hanchey’s tie-breaking homer in the eighth sent the San Jose Giants to the lead for good, as they defeated the Quakes on Tuesday night at Excite Ballpark by a final of 7-5. After the Quakes tied the game at 5-5 with Carlos Rojas’ second two-run
Storm Prevail on Sunday Over Quakes
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Lake Elsinore Storm concluded a successful trip to LoanMart Field with an 8-3 win over the Quakes on Sunday evening, giving the first-place Storm five of six in the series. Rancho, which has lost eight of nine overall, is still just two games out of
Quakes Drop Series to Storm
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Lake Elsinore Storm got out to a big lead, then held on for an 8-5 win over the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on Saturday night at LoanMart Field. The loss leaves the Quakes two games back of the Storm, but just one out of a playoff
Rancho Gets Blanked on Friday
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Quakes dropped a heart-breaker on Friday night in front of more than 3,500 fans at LoanMart Field, as the Lake Elsinore Storm took game four of the series with a 1-0 win. A first-inning run for the Storm was all of the scoring on Friday
Quakes Back in Gear, Blow Out Storm
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Quakes ended their five-game losing streak on Thursday night, using a six-run seventh to fuel a 9-2 win over the Lake Elsinore Storm at LoanMart Field. Zyhir Hope went 3-for-3 and reached base five times, capping his night with an eighth-inning homer to help halt
Storm Rally Late to Drop Quakes
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Lake Elsinore Storm rallied from three different deficits, scoring twice in the ninth inning to take a 7-5 win over the Quakes on Wednesday night at LoanMart Field. A two-run ninth against reliever Noah Ruen (3-2) gave the Storm their first lead of the game,
Rancho Drops Fourth Straight
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – Despite battling back from a five-run deficit, the Quakes dropped a 7-6 decision to the Lake Elsinore Storm in 11 innings on Tuesday night at LoanMart Field. Rancho’s fourth straight loss overall forces a three-way tie at the top of the South Division standings between the
Tie at the Top, as Quakes Fall on Sunday
Visalia, CA – The Quakes dropped their third straight game on Sunday afternoon, as the Visalia Rawhide pulled into a first-place tie with an 8-1 win at Valley Strong Ballpark. A six-run seventh broke open a one-run game, giving Visalia their third straight win over Rancho and four of six
Lead Trimmed to One After Loss
Visalia, CA – A ninth-inning rally fell short on Saturday night, as the Quakes dropped a 4-3 decision to the Visalia Rawhide at Valley Strong Ballpark. The win for Visalia gives the Rawhide two straight and three of five in the series, as they’ve trimmed Rancho’s lead in the second-half
Quakes Fall on Friday to Rawhide
Visalia, CA – The Visalia Rawhide broke a seventh-inning tie, scoring three times to take the lead for good in a 6-3 win over the Quakes on Friday night at Valley Strong Ballpark. Four walks and a two-run double off the bat of Angel Ortiz was the difference in the
Quakes Hang On for Win Over 'Hide
Visalia, CA – The Quakes held on for a 6-3 win on Thursday night at Valley Strong Ballpark, beating the Visalia Rawhide to take a three-game lead in the South Division with just 21 games to play. Samuel Munoz had a three-run homer (4) and Jose Meza had a two-run
Rawhide Down Quakes on Wednesday
Visalia, CA – The Quakes had a tough night on Wednesday, enduring a 9-3 loss to the Rawhide at Valley Strong Ballpark. Rancho committed a season-worst five errors and trailed throughout, as the Rawhide pulled to within two games with 22 to play in the second half. Quakes’ reliever Pedro
Quakes Drop Three Bombs in Visalia!
Visalia, CA – The Quakes slugged three homers and held on for a 5-2 win over the Visalia Rawhide, as they opened a critical six-game series at Valley Strong Ballpark on Tuesday night. Zyhir Hope (7), Cameron Decker (7) and Jose Meza (7) all went yard, helping the Quakes extend