Takeaways from Rays Spring Breakout Win Against Red Sox
The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Boston Red Sox 7-5 in Thursday evening's Spring Breakout contest, a showcase of each team's top talented minor leaguers working their way up towards the Big Leagues. The matchup featured top of the top farm systems in the game, with the Rays currently ranked
Day 1 of #SpringBreakout is in the books!
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 14, 2025
Check out a recap of the action and how to watch the remaining 14 games this weekend: https://t.co/RisKZeaiuD pic.twitter.com/tNxQ432mzF
The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Boston Red Sox 7-5 in Thursday evening's Spring Breakout contest, a showcase of each team's top talented minor leaguers working their way up towards the Big Leagues. The matchup featured top of the top farm systems in the game, with the Rays currently ranked as having the second-best crop of prospects, while the Red Sox are rated third. This game also gave Bulls fans a glimpse of what they might see come Opening Night at the DBAP on Tuesday, April 1 and beyond for the 2025 season. Below are several takeaways from Thursday night's game.
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The Durham Bulls could be another fun watch this season
Though the initial Durham Bulls roster won't be officially known for another couple of weeks, several players who could very well be in the Bull City at some point this year showed out on Thursday night, with top prospects Carson Williams, Brayden Taylor, and Chandler Simpson among those Bulls fans may see soon.
Okay Carson, we 👀 you! pic.twitter.com/ySrYx9ossm
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 14, 2025
Carson Williams crushes baseballs
The Rays' top prospect and ninth-best overall prospect per MLB.com crushed two hits, including a mammoth 413-foot homer in the eighth inning. The 21-year-old could just be the latest number one Rays prospect to play in Durham, following Junior Caminero last season. Williams is expected by many to start the year in Durham after playing the entire 2024 campaign with Double-A Montgomery.
Nothing bunt perfection from Chandler 🌬️ pic.twitter.com/lXmrORkAnl
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 14, 2025
Chandler Simpson is fast
80-grade speed is not something that is handed out lightly, however Simpson showed he is worthy of that grade after reaching first without a throw on a bunt single, and then stealing second. The 24-year-old stole 104 bases last season, more than any other player in professional baseball. After spending the majority of the 2024 season in Montgomery, Simpson could also very well start the season in Durham and put International League fielders to the test.
Brayden Taylor delivers pic.twitter.com/iov4uLTYas
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 14, 2025
Brayden Taylor can hit and field
The third-best Rays prospect and 66th-best overall prospect according to MLB.com had a strong showing both offensively and defensively, which including an RBI single in the fourth inning. The 22-year-old infielder will likely begin the season with Double-A Montgomery after beginning the year with High-A Bowling Green and then moving to the Biscuits for the final 30 games of the 2024 campaign, but could very well be in Durham at some point in 2025.
Tampa Bay Rays Major League Camp continues on this month, with the final Spring Training game slated for Tuesday, March 25. The Durham Bulls' roster will very likely not be known until after that date.
After beginning the 2025 campaign with a three-game road series in Norfolk, the Bulls open their home slate at the DBAP on Tuesday, April 1 with a six-game homestand against the defending Triple-A National Champion Sugar Land Space Cowboys, the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35pm.
Tickets for that game and all 75 home games are now available and can be purchased by clicking here.