For the second consecutive season, Major League Baseball is hosting a multi-day prospect showcase during spring training. The 2025 Spring Breakout will feature over half of MLB Pipeline's top 100 prospects, playing all-prospect games in Florida and Arizona.
Beginning with two games on March 13, all 30 teams have one game scheduled with an entire roster of minor leaguers. There are 16 matchups (the Chicago Cubs will play two games) set to be played through March 16.
The first Spring Breakout contest between two American League teams will see the Tampa Bay Rays host the Boston Red Sox. Both teams have standout rosters, but the AL overall is stacked with must-see prospects scratching at the major league surface.
Christian Moore, 2B - Los Angeles Angels
Taken eighth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Christian Moore is trying to become the latest Angels prospect to reach the big leagues within a year of turning professional. The University of Tennessee product is making a strong case to break camp with the AL West club thanks to solid play this spring.
Moore has seen ample playing time at second base and showed flashes of his speed and hitting ability that made him a top-10 pick last July. However, he has yet to exhibit his power stroke on the heels of a 34-homer season in college. Despite that, Moore is hitting .281 across 16 spring training games and is a candidate to make the Opening Day roster as a bench piece.
With Luis Rengifo's status in doubt for the start of the regular season, Moore might find his way into the starting lineup for Game 1. The only way to solidify that is to continue playing well, including in the Spring Breakout game. Eyes should be on Moore when the Angels play the Cubs on March 15.
Noah Schultz, LHP - Chicago White Sox
Much of the thinking for the White Sox this year is about the future. Chicago hopes several of their top prospects are significant pieces for the franchise moving forward. Among them is southpaw Noah Schultz, the top left-handed pitching prospect in baseball.
Few minor league pitchers are as polished as Schultz, especially considering his age (he turns 22 in August). Following an abbreviated 2023 season, Schultz was one of the best pitchers in the minors last year. He earned Southern League Pitcher of the Year honors with only 16 Double-A starts, posting a 1.48 ERA with 73 strikeouts in 61 innings.
He's impressed in camp and did not allow a run in two appearances with the White Sox. Schultz gets hitters with a fastball that flirts with triple digits and a devastating slider that has only gotten better since he reached the pros. He could put his pitching prowess to the test opposite top Colorado Rockies prospect Chase Dollander when the two teams meet on March 16.
Chandler Simpson, OF - Tampa Bay Rays
If you want electricity on the diamond, look no further than Chandler Simpson. The self-proclaimed fastest player in baseball, Simpson is racing his way to the big leagues and should find a spot on the Rays roster before too long.
Chandler Simpson. Fast. pic.twitter.com/nCgxAQ3hzB
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) March 7, 2025
The 24-year-old stole 104 bases in 110 minor-league games last season. He had to be on base a lot to do that, and that he was thanks to a .355 batting average. Simpson doesn’t offer much in the power department, as only 16 of his 160 hits went for extra bases. Still, he's a threat to score every time he gets on base.
Not every prospect fits the "must-watch" bill. Simpson is one of the exceptions. His speed and improved defense in the outfield might get him to the MLB this year. The Rays could have a gem in the middle-infielder turned center fielder.
Jake Bloss - Toronto Blue Jays RHP
Among the trio acquired by the Blue Jays from the Houston Astros for Yusei Kikuchi last July, Jake Bloss is forefront in the conversation to crack Toronto's starting rotation out of spring training. It's taken him time to adjust to new surroundings, but Bloss is a player the Blue Jays want to count on in 2025.
The righty's first taste of the Show did not go well. Bloss failed to pitch past the fourth inning in three starts for the Astros, posting a 6.94 ERA with five home runs allowed in 11 2/3 innings. He had similar numbers in eight starts with Triple-A Buffalo after the trade but overall held his own with a 3.18 ERA in 21 minor-league starts.
The Blue Jays would love to see those numbers translate to the bigs. Bloss could be a swing man for Toronto unless he establishes himself as a starter. A good outing against the top Minnesota Twins prospects should boost his confidence.
Luke Keaschall - Minnesota Twins 2B
Speaking of those Twins, Luke Keaschall is a player who might step into the box against Bloss and the Blue Jays on March 15. Minnesota's No. 3 prospect and the 60th ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Keaschall earned a non-roster invitation to Twins camp and drove in a pair of runs in his debut.
Keaschall is arguably the best second baseman in the minors but has been limited to designated hitting duties following Tommy John surgery last August. While his defense might need some catching up, he's on the cusp of contributing to an MLB lineup.
The 22-year-old has shown versatility that could help him get to the bigs sooner. After posting a .901 OPS and 37 extra-base hits in 2024, Keaschall is knocking on the door of his MLB debut.