Trending Now - Mlb's Bright Future: Top 2026 Prospects and Position Rankings
WHO:
Major League Baseball (MLB)
Jonathan Mayo, reporter for MLBPipeline.com
Max Clark, Tigers outfield prospect, No. 10 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects list
Eli Willits, MLB's No. 13 prospect, No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 Draft by the Nationals
Preston Mattingly, Phillies general manager
Konnor Griffin, Pirates No. 1 prospect
Kevin McGonigle, Tigers No. 2 prospect
Leo De Vries, A's infielder
JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals prospect
Tommy Hutton, longtime Marlins broadcaster
Willson and William Contreras, brothers representing Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic
Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers superstar
Yusei Kikuchi, Angels pitcher
Cody Freeman, Rangers infielder
Daniel Espino, Guardians pitcher
Lazaro Montes, Mariners prospect
Pedro Ramirez, Cubs prospect
Nolan McLean, Mets prospect
Andrew Painter, Phillies prospect
Alex Bregman, Cubs third baseman
Reiver Sanmartin, Giants pitcher
WHAT:
MLB introduced Spring Breakout in 2024, expanding it into a tournament format starting in 2027.
The tournament will crown champions in both the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues.
210 players from the first two iterations of Spring Breakout have gone on to play in MLB.
This year’s Spring Breakout will take place from March 19-22.
Tommy Hutton announced his retirement after the 2026 season.
Willson and William Contreras will represent Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.
Shohei Ohtani will not pitch in the 2026 WBC but will play for Team Japan.
Yusei Kikuchi will pitch for Team Japan in the WBC.
Cody Freeman has a stress reaction in his lower back, sidelining him for at least four to six weeks.
Daniel Espino made his Spring Training debut after multiple injuries and personal loss.
Lazaro Montes is MLB Pipeline’s No. 43 overall prospect.
Pedro Ramirez won a MiLB Gold Glove Award at third base.
Andrew Painter pitched two perfect innings in his second Grapefruit League start.
Alex Bregman hit his first home run with the Cubs in Spring Training.
WHERE:
Spring Breakout games will take place in Florida and Arizona.
The Grapefruit League and Cactus League are the two leagues involved in the tournament.
Hutton has been broadcasting from Miami, Florida.
The Contreras brothers will play in Miami for the World Baseball Classic.
Team Japan will play in Tokyo for the WBC.
The Rangers' Spring Training camp is located in Surprise, Arizona.
The Guardians' Spring Training is at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
The Mariners' Spring Training is in Peoria, Arizona.
The Cubs' Spring Training is in Mesa, Arizona.
WHEN:
Spring Breakout tournament format will start in 2027.
This year’s Spring Breakout will occur from March 19-22, 2026.
Tommy Hutton will retire after the 2026 season.
The World Baseball Classic will begin on March 10, 2026.
Cody Freeman was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his lower back last week.
Daniel Espino made his Spring Training debut on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
The Contreras brothers will play in the WBC starting March 10, 2026.
Alex Bregman hit his first home run with the Cubs on March 1, 2026.
WHY:
The expansion of Spring Breakout into a tournament format aims to enhance competitiveness and showcase Minor League prospects.
Tommy Hutton stated it was "just time" for him to retire.
Willson Contreras wanted to represent Venezuela in the WBC to honor his family and culture.
Shohei Ohtani aims to play for Team Japan to defend their championship title.
HOW:
The tournament format will be single-elimination.
MLB will produce and distribute local broadcasts for teams, including the Rays.
Players are encouraged to represent their countries in the World Baseball Classic, as supported by their teams' management.
Major League Baseball is gearing up for this year’s Spring Breakout, which will take place from March 19 to 22, showcasing the best of Minor League talent in Florida and Arizona. The tournament format, set to expand in 2027, will crown champions in both the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues, with 210 players from previous iterations having already made it to the majors. In other news, longtime Marlins broadcaster Tommy Hutton announced his retirement after the 2026 season, while the Contreras brothers, Willson and William, will represent Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, starting March 10. Shohei Ohtani will play for Team Japan but will not pitch in the tournament, while Yusei Kikuchi will take the mound for Japan. Additionally, Cody Freeman is sidelined for at least four to six weeks due to a stress reaction in his lower back, and Daniel Espino made his Spring Training debut on Sunday after overcoming significant challenges.