Here are the 10 best potential prospect matchups at Spring Breakout
Spring Breakout will soon offer the opportunity for the majority of baseball's top prospects to face off against each other for the second straight year. Fearsome sluggers against hard-throwing pitchers. Speedy baserunners against cannon-armed catchers. Well-rounded shortstops battling to prove who should be ranked higher. Full rosters for all 30
Spring Breakout will soon offer the opportunity for the majority of baseball's top prospects to face off against each other for the second straight year. Fearsome sluggers against hard-throwing pitchers. Speedy baserunners against cannon-armed catchers. Well-rounded shortstops battling to prove who should be ranked higher.
Full rosters for all 30 teams won't be finalized until March 6, but we can still dream upon the best matchups that we may be seeing March 13-16.
We're excluding a handful of top prospects for this exercise. While 71 of the Top 100 prospects in 2024 participated in Spring Breakout, ones projected to begin the season in the big leagues were less likely to play. For that reason, we'll leave off MLB's top prospect Roki Sasaki, who will likely be pitching for the Dodgers in the Japan Series, and Dylan Crews (MLB No. 4), who is sure to be Washington's starting right fielder.
It's all projection until the rosters are finalized, but here's a look at the 10 best player matchups at this year's rendition of Spring Breakout, in order of occurrence.
Marcelo Mayer, SS, Red Sox (MLB No. 12) vs. Carson Williams, SS, Rays (MLB No. 9)
March 13, 7:05 p.m. ET
Two of the best shortstop prospects in baseball will face off -- just like they soon may be doing for many years in the AL East. The 2021 first-rounders are on the same timeline and expected to begin the year at Triple-A, but their profiles are quite different. Mayer receives above-average grades for his bat and power from the left side and makes up for his 40-grade speed with good defensive instincts, while righty-swinging Williams displays plus power with a below-average hit tool and is one of the best defenders in the Minors.
Cade Horton, RHP, Cubs (MLB No. 54) vs. Dalton Rushing, C/OF, Dodgers (MLB No. 30)
March 13, 9:05 p.m. ET
Horton was one of the best pitchers in the Minors in 2023 with almost equal split rates (.531 OPS vs. RHP, .535 vs. LHP). That was not the case during a 2024 campaign (.690 vs. RHP, .827 vs. LHP) cut short by a shoulder injury. Healthy again, Horton will have a chance to show off his premium stuff against a lineup with potentially four lefty-swinging Top 100 prospects, the most notable of whom is Rushing. A patient hitter whose bat may quickly take him to Dodger Stadium, Rushing translated his big exit velocity numbers into consistent over-the-fence power in 2024.
JJ Wetherholt, SS, Cardinals (MLB No. 23) vs. Thomas White, LHP, Marlins (MLB No. 41)
March 14, 12:10 p.m. ET
These two teams share a Spring Training and Single-A home: Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. And the best matchup from this game features recent first-rounders who starred on this field in the Florida State League in 2024. Wetherholt was a Statcast standout after the Cards selected him seventh overall in July and actually showed more power against fellow lefties than righties in tiny sample sizes. He'll face the third-best southpaw prospect in the game in White, who features unusual polish for a 20-year-old and a pair of plus-or-better offerings that have devastated lefties across A-ball.
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates (MLB No. 15) vs. Aidan Miller, SS, Phillies (MLB No. 27)
March 14, 1:05 p.m. ET
A potential marquee matchup between Andrew Painter and Chandler looked to be a possible duel between two of the best pitching prospects in the game. Unfortunately for fans, it won't come to fruition during Spring Breakout as Painter is not expected to pitch competitively this spring. However, another intriguing clash between these two intrastate rivals is almost as appetizing. Miller worked his way up to Double-A during his first full pro season in 2024, finishing the year with an .811 OPS and a 133 wRC+ in 102 games. Chandler dominated from start to finish across two Minor League levels, holding opponents to a .189 average while posting a 148/41 K/BB ratio.
Colt Emerson, SS/3B, Mariners (MLB No. 20) vs. Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians (MLB No. 10)
March 14, 8:05 p.m. ET
There's no shortage of quality hitting prospects to compare -- the Mariners and Guardians combine for 11 on this year's recently released Top 100 Prospects list -- but their top-ranked youngsters stack up quite nicely. Only six players on the Top 100 earned a hitting grade of 65 or higher, and two are in this game. Emerson and Bazzana are a pair of lefty-swinging middle infielders who could each make the case for being baseball's best pure-hitting prospect. Bazzana, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick, has a bit more power and speed presently, while Emerson, taken 22nd overall in 2023, has been one of the best in the Minors at avoiding strikeouts.
Jasson Domínguez, OF, Yankees (MLB No. 21) vs. Coby Mayo, 3B/1B, Orioles (MLB No. 14)
March 15, 6:05 p.m. ET
Look no further if you want to watch two hitters with AL Rookie of the Year aspirations. Domínguez and Mayo figure to earn roles for their respective AL East teams sooner rather than later after making cameos at the end of 2024. Mayo has top-end power and a tremendous arm at third base if he sticks at the hot corner. Domínguez may be listed as 9 inches shorter than Mayo, but he also features impressive raw power thanks to tremendous bat speed and strength.
Sebastian Walcott, SS/3B, Rangers (MLB No. 17) vs. Bryce Eldridge, 1B, Giants (MLB No. 24)
March 15, 8:05 p.m. ET
No matchup at Spring Breakout may have the potential for more power than this one: Walcott and Eldridge are two of the eight on the Top 100 to flex 65-grade-or-better power. After reaching the upper Minors last season as teenagers, they'll both have a chance to show off again against older competition. Walcott leverages his 6-foot-4 frame and elite bat speed well and features a quite aggressive approach at the plate. Eldridge (6-foot-7) is one of the few players he looks small next to, and the 2023 first-rounder uses a quick stroke to produce top-of-the-line exit velocities.
Max Clark, OF, Tigers (MLB No. 6) vs. Cam Caminiti, LHP, Braves (MLB No. 89)
March 16, 4:05 p.m. ET
Caminiti was the highest-ranked and highest-selected prep pitcher in the 2024 Draft and made a brief cameo at Single-A in late August: three scoreless innings with four strikeouts. This would mark a major jump in stage for the 18-year-old, who would face a lineup that potentially includes five Top 100 prospects. The good news for him is that four of the five may be fellow lefties -- Thayron Liranzo (No. 82) is a switch-hitter. The best of that group of Detroit prospects is Clark, a potential five-tool stud who actually crushed lefties (.324/.465/.524) last season and figures to be one of the biggest stars of Spring Breakout.
Chase Dollander, RHP, Rockies (MLB No. 25) vs. Noah Schultz, LHP, White Sox (MLB No. 16)
March 16, 5:05 p.m. ET
Both of these starters routinely hit 99 mph with their fastballs, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see triple-digit heat in a short stint. Their secondary pitches are pretty nasty too. After his dominant rising fastball, Dollander's best pitch is a hard, tight slider, and he gets lefties and righties out effectively with a slower curve and a deceptive changeup. Schultz has perhaps the best lefty slider in the Minors, made even more effective by the extension he gets on his 6-foot-9 frame and low release point.
Chase Burns, RHP, Reds (MLB No. 26) vs. Jesus Made, SS, Brewers (MLB No. 56)
March 16, 7:40 p.m. ET
Only a handful of prospects recently have received as much buzz before reaching full-season ball as Made, a top signee in the 2024 international class who tore up the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League with exceptional batted-ball data and plate discipline. One of the pitchers he's likely to face in Spring Breakout? Another prospect who's set to make his much-anticipated full-season debut this year: Chase Burns. The second overall pick in 2024, Burns has the potential for four plus pitches, led by a fastball up to 102 mph and a power slider that generated whiffs on nearly two-thirds of swings at Wake Forest last year.
Ben Weinrib is a contributor for MiLB.com.
RoughRiders, Donatos sign storefront deal at Riders Field
FRISCO, Texas (April 11, 2025) – The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, have announced a partnership deal with Donatos Pizza. As part of the partnership, Donatos will have its own concession stand on the first base side of Riders Field! “We are incredibly proud to partner with
RoughRiders, Baseballism ink storefront deal at Riders Field
FRISCO, Texas (April 7, 2025) – The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, have announced a partnership deal with Baseballism. During the 2025 season, fans can find the baseball-themed apparel company in the former WFAA studio space next to the home plate gate, featuring a pop-up shop with
Riders welcome Diamondbacks-affiliated Sod Poodles for second homestand of the year
FRISCO, Texas (April 11, 2025) – The Frisco RoughRiders open their second homestand of the season with a loaded slate of promotions spanning from Tuesday, April 15th to Sunday, April 20th against the Diamondbacks-affiliated Amarillo Sod Poodles. Buy Tickets Here Check out the ticket specials here, including discounted Lazy River
Johnson has big game, Frisco comes back in win
SPRINGDALE, Arkansas (April 10, 2025) - Cooper Johnson helped pilot the Frisco RoughRiders over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 9-4 on Thursday night from Arvest Ballpark. Box Score The RoughRiders (4-2) fell behind early in the first inning as the Naturals (4-2) struck first with an RBI fielder's choice against Ben
Osuna's long ball pushes homer-happy Riders over Naturals in wild game
SPRINGDALE, Arkansas (April 9, 2025) -- The Frisco RoughRiders came from behind twice to topple the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 12-9 on Wednesday night from Arvest Ballpark. Box Score After coming back from down five runs to take the lead earlier in the game, Frisco (3-2) trailed 9-8 in the ninth
Frisco drops opener in Northwest Arkansas
SPRINGDALE, Arkansas (April 8, 2025) -- The Frisco RoughRiders fell in the series' opening game to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 7-3 on Tuesday night from Arvest Ballpark. Box Score The Naturals (4-0) jumped on RoughRiders (2-2) starter Kohl Drake (0-1) early when Peyton Wilson appeared to hit a two-run home
Riders outduel Hooks 2-0
FRISCO, Texas (April 6, 2025) -- The Frisco RoughRiders secured an opening series win with a 2-0 victory over the Corpus Christi Hooks on Sunday evening from Riders Field. Box Score RoughRiders starter Trey Supak (1-0) earned the win with five shutout innings and four strikeouts, throwing 38 of 57
Riders beat Hooks 5-2 for first win of the season
FRISCO, Texas (April 5, 2025) – The Frisco RoughRiders earned their first win of the 2025 season with a 5-2 win over the Corpus Christi Hooks on Saturday night from Riders Field. Box Score The Riders (1-1) scored four runs in the bottom of the second inning off Hooks (1-1)
Riders fall to Corpus on Opening Day
FRISCO, Texas (April 4, 2025) – The Frisco RoughRiders fell on Opening Day 7-5 to the Corpus Christi Hooks from Riders Field. Box Score The Riders (0-1) took the lead early on a two-run home run from Cooper Johnson in the second inning before the Hooks (1-0) countered with two
What's new at Riders Field in 2025
FRISCO, Texas (March 26, 2025) – The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, have made many additions to Riders Field and the overall fan experience, helping to propel 2025 to the best season yet for the franchise. Buy tickets here. Check out the ticket specials here. Make sure
Former RoughRider Liam Hicks makes MLB debut
FRISCO, Texas (March 31, 2025) – Former RoughRiders catcher Liam Hicks made his MLB debut with the Miami Marlins on Friday, March 28 in their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hicks is the first player in 2025 whose name will be featured on the reimagined Road to the Show Wall
Rangers announce 2025 RoughRiders Break Camp roster
FRISCO, Texas (March 26, 2025) – In conjunction with the Texas Rangers, the Frisco RoughRiders are thrilled to announce their 2025 Break Camp Roster, headlined by nine Rangers top 30 prospects according to MLB Pipeline. For a PDF version of the Break Camp Roster, click here. Rangers top prospect, shortstop
Frisco releases most exciting, fan-friendly promotional schedule in 22 years as a franchise
FRISCO, Texas (February 3, 2025) – Mark your calendars! The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, have announced their 2025 Promotional Schedule. The RoughRiders 69 home games will feature some of the most incredible theme nights in franchise history, 18 fireworks shows, 14 nights of giveaways, multiple guest
Riders prepare for massive month of April at home
FRISCO, Texas (March 11, 2025) – The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, are almost ready for an exciting month of April jam-packed with baseball! Single-game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here! Before the RoughRiders season opens, catch college baseball at Riders
Cacique Foods, LLC., RoughRiders team up for donation to North Texas Food Bank
FRISCO, Texas (March 18, 2025) – In partnership with Cacique Foods, LLC., the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, are excited to announce their 2024 donation to the North Texas Food Bank and their affinity group SinHambre as a result of the 2024 doubles program. Coupled with
MLB announces 2025 Rangers Spring Breakout Games roster
FRISCO, Texas (March 6, 2025) – Major League Baseball has announced the projected rosters for the second-annual “Spring Breakout” Prospect Games. The Texas Rangers roster includes 10 former RoughRiders players. As part of MLB Spring Training, the “Spring Breakout” Games will showcase baseball’s future stars. All games will be available
RoughRiders return March Gladness Clothing Drive presented by CoServ
FRISCO, Texas (March 4, 2025) - In conjunction with the RoughRiders Foundation, the Frisco RoughRiders will host the March Gladness Clothing Drive presented by CoServ at Riders Field from March 4th through April 8th, benefitting Frisco Family Services. There will be donation bins in the lobby of the RoughRiders administrative
First week of April brings baseball back with a bang at Riders Field
FRISCO, Texas (March 4, 2025) – As March has arrived, the Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, are preparing for an exciting week packed with baseball from April 1st through 6th! Single-game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here! Before the RoughRiders season
RoughRiders sign sponsorship deal with Avondale Dealerships
FRISCO, Texas (January 23, 2025) - The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, have announced a partnership deal with Avondale Dealerships. “Avondale is honored to make a positive impact on our community by partnering with the Frisco RoughRiders. Sports have a unique ability to bring families and neighbors
Rangers announce 2025 RoughRiders Field Staff
FRISCO, Texas (January 6, 2025) - The Frisco RoughRiders, in conjunction with the Texas Rangers, have announced Carlos Cardoza will return to manage the RoughRiders for the 2025 season. Cardoza, in his third year, will be joined by returners Ryan Tuntland (hitting coach), Tyler Wolfe (hitting coach), Kawika Emsley-Pai (bench
2025 CoServ Teacher of the Month nominations now open
FRISCO, Texas (December 9, 2024) – The Frisco RoughRiders have opened nominations for their 2025 CoServ Teacher of the Month program. School staff, parents and community members in the Metroplex can nominate deserving educators who stand out for their excellence in the classroom, school and community. To nominate a teacher,
RoughRiders release 2025 game times
FRISCO, Texas (October 10, 2024) – Mark your calendars! The Frisco RoughRiders have released their game times for the 2025 season, beginning with their home opener on Friday, April 4th at 7:05 p.m. against the Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston Astros affiliate). To purchase tickets, click here. For those who purchased
2025 RoughRiders single-game tickets now on sale
FRISCO, Texas (September 30, 2024) – The Frisco RoughRiders are thrilled to announce that single-game tickets for the 2025 season are now available for purchase. Opening Day is on Friday, April 4th against the Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston Astros affiliate). Individual game tickets may be purchased online HERE or by
Banana Ball World Tour to stop in Frisco in 2025
FRISCO, Texas (October 3, 2024) – The Frisco RoughRiders are thrilled to announce the Banana Ball World Tour will be in Frisco, Texas on September 5th and 6th, 2025! Fans can catch the Party Animals against the all-new Texas Tailgaters at Riders Field. Fans interested in tickets must enter the
RoughRiders release 2025 schedule
FRISCO, Texas (August 12, 2024) – The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the World Series champion Texas Rangers, have released their 2025 game schedule. For those who purchased with the RoughRiders in 2024, hospitality reservations are now available by contacting your Account Representative. If you are interested in reserving a