2024 Draft class gets early chance to take center stage at Spring Breakout
When players are taken in the early rounds of the MLB Draft, it’s easy to dream about seeing them under the bright lights of the big leagues, but a common refrain has been that fans don't get to see those players for years after they're selected. Thanks to Spring Breakout,
When players are taken in the early rounds of the MLB Draft, it’s easy to dream about seeing them under the bright lights of the big leagues, but a common refrain has been that fans don't get to see those players for years after they're selected.
Thanks to Spring Breakout, we don’t have to wait to see the most recent top Draft picks under a big spotlight.
This week, all 30 teams will put the best their farm systems have to offer on display and provide an early introduction to just what their scouting departments brought in last July. Of the top 36 picks from last year’s Draft, 34 are on Spring Breakout rosters and should get the chance to show what they can do on a bigger professional stage. Of the 65 players taken through the end of the second round last year, 59 of those will be on hand, 26 of whom have yet to make their professional debut.
It is one of the more exciting aspects of Spring Breakout, which is now in its second year. In last year’s inaugural edition, 54 of the top 66 players taken prior to the third round in 2023 -- and 32 of the top 36 -- were on rosters. The first pick of 26 teams played last year and it’s looking like there should be a repeat in 2025, with 28 of 30 teams sending their first selection from the 2024 Draft to their Spring Breakout games.
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
At last year’s Spring Breakout, No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes’ start was the talk of the event, facing off against former top pick Jackson Holliday. This year, Travis Bazzana has the 1-1 banner in Spring Breakout and he’ll get to face a very good Mariners squad and perhaps their 2024 first-rounder, switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje.
In addition to Cijntje being the first switch-pitcher to go to a Spring Breakout game, he’s also one of the many 2024 draftees who have yet to officially play a professional game. He’s one of nine first-round picks who haven’t made their pro debuts yet:
2. Chase Burns, RHP, Reds (No. 1/MLB No. 26)
9. Konnor Griffin, SS/OF, Pirates (No. 2/MLB No. 43)
11. Bryce Rainer, SS, Tigers (No. 4/MLB No. 52)
12. Braden Montgomery, OF, White Sox (No. 5/MLB No. 54)
15. Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP/LHP, Mariners (No. 9)
23. Kellon Lindsey, SS, Dodgers (No. 8)
25. Kash Mayfield, LHP, Padres (No. 3)
26. Ben Hess, RHP, Yankees (No. 4)
29. Slade Caldwell, OF, D-backs (No. 3)
Skenes may have been a bit of an outlier as someone who “debuted” in Spring Breakout and then was in the big leagues by May, but there are a number of the top picks above who could be on a fast track and make it to the Major Leagues at some point in 2025. And then there are the college bats like Bazzana (MLB No. 10), Nick Kurtz (No. 38), Jac Caglianone (No. 22), JJ Wetherholt (No. 23) and Christian Moore (No. 67), all of whom got their feet wet in the Minors last summer and could be facing Major League pitching before too long.
Last year, 15 of the first-round picks on Spring Breakout rosters were on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list. That number has been replicated on this year’s list. Six of them are currently the No. 1 prospects for their organizations, including Cam Smith (MLB No. 58), who sits atop a different system’s list than the one who drafted him after heading to the Astros from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade. Braden Montgomery is the other 2024 first-rounder going to the showcase who has already changed teams after heading to the White Sox via the Garrett Crochet deal with Boston.
Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLBPipeline.com. Follow him on Facebook and @JonathanMayo, and listen to him on the weekly MLB Pipeline Podcast.
Hunter Barco Named Eastern League Pitcher of the Month
Curve left-hander Hunter Barco has been named April’s Eastern League Pitcher of the Month on Monday afternoon. Barco has set the franchise record for the longest scoreless inning with 25.2 innings to begin the season after throwing five scoreless innings on Saturday, May 3 against the Akron RubberDucks. Previously, he
Dotel Dispatches Ten ‘Ducks in 3-2 Win
CURVE, PA – Wilber Dotel matched his career-high with ten strikeouts in six innings of one-run ball, and Mitch Jebb singled home the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth to finish off a 3-2 win for the Curve over the Akron RubberDucks on Sunday afternoon at Peoples Natural
Barco Sets Franchise Record for Longest Scoreless Streak in 5-3 Loss to Akron
CURVE, PA – Hunter Barco fired five scoreless innings, setting the franchise record with 26.1 scoreless innings thrown to begin the season, but the Curve fell 5-3 to the Akron RubberDucks on Saturday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Barco allowed just two hits and walked three in his scoreless
Jebb Drives in Two in Rain-Shortened Win
CURVE, PA – Alessando Ercolani tossed four innings of one-run ball, and the Curve offense scored six times on eight hits before the rains chased the teams from the field after the sixth inning on Friday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The rain-shortened win, 6-2, for the Curve over
Brannigan Homers in Thursday Loss
CURVE, PA – Jack Brannigan knocked his 2nd homer of the season, but the Curve offense fell short of the RubberDucks in a 4-2 loss on Thursday afternoon at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Pirates rehabber Spencer Horwitz went 0-for-4 and played eight innings in the field in Thursday’s loss. Altoona
Bats Held Quiet on Wednesday Night
CURVE, PA – Altoona’s offense was held to three hits in a 6-0 shutout loss to the Akron RubberDucks on Wednesday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Jarod Bayless started a bullpen day for the Curve, allowing three runs in 2.2 innings pitched. Bayless struck out three and did not
Pitchers Dominate Despite Rain in 10-2 Win
CURVE, PA – After a 1:48 rain delay in the second inning that knocked both starting pitchers from the game, the Curve bullpen picked up 13 strikeouts in a 10-2 win over the Akron RubberDucks. The Curve offense banged out ten runs on 12 hits and drew six walks in
Hunter Barco Named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week
CURVE, PA – Curve left-hander Hunter Barco has been named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for the week of April 21-27 after a strong week against the Chesapeake Baysox. Barco made two starts last week and stretched his scoreless inning streak to 20.2 innings to begin the season,
Barco Extends Scoreless Streak in Sunday Afternoon Win
BOWIE, MD – Curve starter Hunter Barco struck out eight batters in three scoreless innings and the Curve cruised to a 4-1 win over Chesapeake on Sunday afternoon at Prince George’s Stadium. Barco has now thrown 20.2 consecutive scoreless innings to begin the season and stands five innings shy of
Pirates Acquisition Spencer Horwitz to Rehab with Curve
CURVE, PA – Pirates infielder Spencer Horwitz is scheduled to rehab with the Altoona Curve and make his organizational debut on Sunday, April 27 at Chesapeake. Horwitz is in the Curve starting lineup for Sunday’s game, batting leadoff and playing first base. Horwitz was acquired by the Pirates in a
Curve Bullpen Tosses Seven Scoreless in Extra Inning Defeat
BOWIE, MD – Four Curve relievers combined to throw seven scoreless innings after starter Alessandro Ercolani lasted four innings, but the Chesapeake Baysox outlasted the Curve, 4-3, in 12 innings on Saturday night at Prince George’s Stadium. Altoona’s offense had several opportunities for big innings, particularly in the tenth inning,
Johnson Homers in 3-2 Defeat
BOWIE, MD – Termarr Johnson smashed his third home run of the season, an opposite field game-tying shot in the eighth inning, but Altoona saw their five-game win streak halted in a 3-2 loss to the Chesapeake Baysox on Friday night at Prince George’s Stadium. Johnson’s home run gave him
Curve Offense Sprints to Fifth Straight Win
BOWIE, MD – Cam Sanders slammed the door on the Chesapeake Baysox on Thursday night to earn his sixth save in seven appearances as the Curve won their fifth-straight game, 8-5, at Prince Georges Stadium. Sanders, who leads all Minor League pitchers in saves, has maintained a 0.00 ERA with
Altoona Fights for Fourth Straight Win
BOWIE, MD – Kervin Pichardo slugged a long, two-run home run in his first game back from injury as Altoona earned its fourth straight win, 3-2, over the Chesapeake Baysox at Prince Georges Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Pichardo, who had missed Altoona’s last 16 games due to a thumb injury,
Barco & Bullpen Blank Baysox
BOWIE, MD – Hunter Barco extended his scoreless innings streak to 17.2 innings to begin the season, combining with Valentin Linarez, Wilken Ramos, and Cam Sanders to shutout the Chesapeake Baysox, 2-0, on Tuesday night at Prince Georges Stadium. Barco struck out eight batters and allowed just two over 4.2
Nine Run Seventh Clinches Series For Curve
CURVE, PA – The Curve scored nine times on eight hits in the bottom of the seventh inning, turning a 2-0 deficit into a 9-2 lead and eventual 9-3 win over the Somerset Patriots on Sunday afternoon at Peoples Natural Gas Field. With the win, Altoona earned a series win
Captain Jack Breaks Late Tie in 2-1 Win
CURVE, PA – Jack Brannigan drove in both of Altoona’s runs, including a go-ahead single in the eighth inning, to secure a 2-1 win over the Somerset Patriots in front of 4,198 fans at Peoples Natural Gas Field on Saturday evening. With the game tied at one in the eighth,
Tres Gonzalez Holds ERA at 0.00
CURVE, PA – Altoona’s offense was held to just three hits and two walks in a 12-1 loss to the Somerset Patriots on Friday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Somerset plated five runs across their first three at-bats and added seven more across the fifth to seventh inning. Derek
SportsNet Pittsburgh To Air 20 Curve Games at PNG Field During 2025 Campaign
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are pleased to announce that 20 home games during the 2025 season will air on SportsNet Pittsburgh. “We are so really looking forward to expanding our partnership with SportsNet Pittsburgh to air more Altoona Curve games this season,” said Curve General Manager Nate Bowen.
Rail Kings Strike Out 14 in 6-4 Win
CURVE, PA – Playing as the Altoona Rail Kings, the Curve picked up a 6-4 win over the Somerset Patriots on Thursday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The Curve took advantage of three early Somerset errors to score five runs across their first two at-bats. Sammy Siani slammed a
Brannigan, Bowen Bash Patriots in 10-1 Win
CURVE, PA – Curve starter Hunter Barco continued his brilliant start to begin the season and got plenty of run support in a 10-1 win for the Curve over the Somerset Patriots on Wednesday afternoon at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Barco permitted just one walk and one hit in his
Patriots Take Series Opener From Curve
CURVE, PA – Altoona was held without a hit into the seventh inning by Somerset pitching, as the Curve dropped their series opener to the Patriots, 6-1, on Tuesday night at PNG Field. Alessandro Ercolani and Nick Dombkowski combined for six innings of two run ball, allowing just two solo
Curve Drop Series Finale in Akron
CURVE, PA – Altoona took a 13-1 loss in their series finale at Akron on Sunday afternoon at Canal Park. With the loss, Altoona’s record drops to 3-6. Termarr Johnson picked up two infield singles and a walk in five plate appearances as part of a six-hit day for the
RubberDucks Quack Curve Bullpen in Saturday Defeat
CURVE, PA – Anthony Solometo struck out five batters over five one-run innings in his second start of the season, but the Akron RubberDucks scored three runs off the Curve bullpen to hand Altoona a 4-3 loss on Saturday night at Canal Park. Solometo left the game after allowing just
Bowen Bashes Three Hits in 8-1 Win
CURVE, PA – The Curve offense banged out ten hits and drew eight walks to push Altoona to an 8-1 win over the Akron RubberDucks on Friday night at Canal Park. Trailing 1-0 in the sixth inning, Altoona used a bases loaded walk from Shawn Ross and a wild pitch