From Spring Breakout to MLB? Here are nine players who could soon be in The Show
The inaugural Spring Breakout in 2024 provided a platform for fans to meet many of baseball's top prospects before they began standing out in the Majors shortly thereafter. Paul Skenes striking out Jackson Holliday. Jackson Chourio reaching twice and scoring a run. Jace Jung hitting a pair of homers.
The inaugural Spring Breakout in 2024 provided a platform for fans to meet many of baseball's top prospects before they began standing out in the Majors shortly thereafter.
Paul Skenes striking out Jackson Holliday. Jackson Chourio reaching twice and scoring a run. Jace Jung hitting a pair of homers.
The second annual prospect showcase will bring another set of young stars to center stage, many of whom will make the Majors early in 2025.
There are 22 players on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list who have a 2025 ETA and are set to play in Spring Breakout, and none of them have reached the Majors yet. As for when they might make their big league debut? Let's take a closer look at nine players who merit close watching at Spring Breakout:
Roman Anthony, OF, Red Sox (MLB No. 2)
ETA: June
Anthony is the top hitting prospect in baseball and reached Triple-A last August as the youngest player on the circuit. The Red Sox don't have to hurry him to the Majors, though, with three excellent outfield defenders in Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu, plus Masataka Yoshida. Anthony is talented enough to force his way into the lineup this summer, though. His 45.1 percent hard-hit rate in 30 games with Worcester last year was among the best at the level, and he walked as much as he struck out.
Kristian Campbell, 2B/SS/OF, Red Sox (MLB No. 7)
ETA: May
Campbell was an early favorite to make Boston's Opening Day roster, but between the Red Sox signing All-Star infielder Alex Bregman and Campbell's struggles in Spring Training, that's looking less likely. The 2023 fourth-rounder still should be up soon, though. He provides positional versatility, and Boston could use another quality right-handed bat in its lineup. Campbell should be able to quickly knock off the spring rust at Triple-A and make his way to Fenway Park.
Carson Williams, SS, Rays (MLB No. 9)
ETA: July
Williams doesn't have any Triple-A experience -- save a brief cameo in 2023 because of injuries in the organization -- so beginning the year in Durham will be a big leap for him. The 2021 first-rounder may be the best defensive shortstop in the Minors, but the bigger question for him relates to his bat. He struck out at a 28.5 percent clip in 2024 (including 31.5 percent over the final two months of the season) but has the power to make up for it if he can keep the whiffs in check. No one in the Majors should be a significant roadblock if and when he solves that.
Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians (MLB No. 10)
ETA: August
Bazzana is unlikely to make the big leagues as quickly as the No. 1 Draft pick before him (Skenes was up in May), but the Guardians' offseason trade of Andrés Giménez makes it clear that they think he'll be ready sooner rather than later. Bazzana has the elite bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline to hit atop a lineup and could provide a significant boost to Cleveland's playoff chances over the summer. The Australia native didn't get to much of the raw power that he showed off at Oregon State last year, but if he unlocks that part of his offense, he could be up quickly.
Marcelo Mayer, SS, Red Sox (MLB No. 12)
ETA: August
Some expected Mayer to make his MLB debut in 2024, but a lumbar strain ended his season in August before he could play at Triple-A. Now healthy, the 2021 first-rounder has a chance to pick up where he left off after a tremendous .307/.370/.480 showing with Double-A Portland. Mayer could slide over to third base if needed, but Rafael Devers and Bregman have that position locked down, so his path to the Majors ironically may depend on the health of the incumbent starting shortstop, Trevor Story.
Samuel Basallo, C/1B, Orioles (MLB No. 13)
ETA: June
There's little question about Basallo's bat. While his numbers in 21 Triple-A games last season (.284 wOBA) weren't great, it's worth keeping in mind that he was just 19, the youngest player at the level. He'll have plenty of time to hone his approach and flex his tremendous raw power. More pressing is his work behind the plate, as the hulking Basallo still needs to improve his receiving and blocking. Because of the presence of Adley Rutschman at catcher in the Majors, Basallo is sure to play a mix of first base and DH no matter what to get in the lineup, so it's likely that his bat will be his ticket to Camden Yards.
Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates (MLB No. 15)
ETA: May
Chandler seemingly had a decent chance to make the Opening Day rotation until the Pirates signed veteran southpaw Andrew Heaney. Since health is no given for any pitcher and because of the way Chandler handled Triple-A to end 2024, he'll likely force Pittsburgh's hand sooner rather than later. His ERA (1.83), strikeout rate (34.0 percent), ground-ball rate (42.5 percent) and average-against (.183) all improved from Double-A to Triple-A. Chandler's fastball was already up to 99.6 mph in Spring Training, and his multisport athleticism is helping him develop into one of the best pitching prospects in the game.
Noah Schultz, LHP, White Sox (MLB No. 16)
ETA: August
Given how early the South Siders are in their rebuild, there shouldn't be a rush to get Schultz, the best left-handed pitching prospect in baseball, to the Majors. However, he's just so good that he may not leave them another choice. Schultz thoroughly dominated Double-A last year with a 1.48 ERA and 4.8 K/BB rate, but playing for Triple-A Charlotte, which has one of the most hitter-friendly stadiums in the Minors, will provide a big test. Perhaps the biggest impediment to him reaching the Majors will be an innings limit -- his 88 1/3 innings in 2024 were a career high and he could hit that mark by the All-Star break.
Chase Dollander, RHP, Rockies (MLB No. 25)
ETA: April
With four above average-or-better pitches led by a 65-grade fastball, Dollander has the high-octane stuff that could make him a frontline starter. As he's shown so far in Spring Training, though, he'll need more pinpoint command and consistency from his secondary pitches to succeed against Major League hitting. Still, there's a reason Rockies manager Bud Black has kept him in the mix for an Opening Day rotation spot despite an up-and-down spring. Expect to see the ninth overall pick from 2023 up soon, especially if there are any injuries to Colorado's veteran pitching staff.
Others to watch
Chase Burns, RHP, Reds (MLB No. 26) ETA: July
Kyle Teel, C, White Sox (MLB No. 32) ETA: May
Colson Montgomery, SS, White Sox (MLB No. 39) ETA: Opening Day
Quinn Mathews, LHP, Cardinals (MLB No. 45) ETA: May
Cole Young, SS/2B, Mariners (MLB No. 49) ETA: June
Cade Horton, RHP, Cubs (MLB No. 51) ETA: August
Ben Weinrib is a contributor for MiLB.com.
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