Here are the prospects with the best tools in Spring Breakout
The inaugural edition of Spring Breakout was a rousing success last year. Sixteen games showcased not only many of baseball's best prospects but also some of the most jaw-dropping tools in the Minors. Of the 10 best individual attributes we highlighted a year ago, nine belonged to players who reached
The inaugural edition of Spring Breakout was a rousing success last year. Sixteen games showcased not only many of baseball's best prospects but also some of the most jaw-dropping tools in the Minors.
Of the 10 best individual attributes we highlighted a year ago, nine belonged to players who reached the Majors later in 2024. National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes (fastball, slider) made the biggest impact at that level, while others such as Pete-Crow Armstrong (defense), Rhett Lowder (control), Masyn Winn (arm) and James Wood (power) also stood out.
This year should feature more of the same, with 73 Top 100 prospects scheduled to participate. Below, we break down the best tools that will be seen on Grapefruit and Cactus league diamonds, as well as on MLB's streaming platforms (MLB.com, MLB.TV and the MLB app, all games live and blackout-free) and eight live broadcasts on MLB Network.
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Numbers in parentheses indicate grades on the 20-80 scouting scale, with 50 representing big league average.
Best hitter: Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians (70)
Bazzana went No. 1 overall in the 2024 Draft because he was the best hitter available. He won the Cape Cod League batting title (.375) in 2023 before slashing .407/.568/.911 with an Oregon State-record 28 homers last spring. He has no obvious weakness at the plate, employing a compact left-handed stroke with plenty of bat speed, making smart swing decisions and producing a lot of hard contact.
Also in the running: Colt Emerson, SS/3B, Mariners; Chandler Simpson, OF, Rays; James Triantos, 2B/OF, Cubs; JJ Wetherholt, SS, Cardinals
Best power: Jac Caglianone, 1B, Royals (70)
The No. 6 overall choice in the 2024 Draft, Caglianone has more usable power than anyone in the Minors. He's both physical and athletic at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, and he hits balls harder and farther than most big leagues can. He led NCAA Division I with 33 homers in 2023 before setting Florida records for round-trippers in a single season (35, second in D-I) and career (75) last spring. He has gone deep three times in 11 Cactus League at-bats, including a 444-foot jack on Sunday.
Also in the running: Charlie Condon, OF/3B, Rockies; Bryce Eldridge, 1B, Giants; Xavier Isaac, 1B, Rays; Sebastian Walcott, SS/3B, Rangers
Best speed: Chandler Simpson, OF, Rays (80)
Scouts joke about Simpson possessing 90 speed on the 20-80 scale, but it really may be closer to 100. He can fly from the left side of the plate to first base in less than 3.8 seconds and topped the Minors with 94 steals in his first full pro season and 104 in his second. An excellent contact hitter who also led MiLB with a .355 average and 3 percent swinging strike rate, he's hard to keep off base and prevent from running wild once he reaches.
Also in the running: Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF, Orioles; Dasan Brown, OF, Blue Jays; Kendall George, OF, Dodgers; Kellon Lindsey, SS, Dodgers
Best defender: Carson Williams, SS, Rays (70)
A Minor League Gold Glove winner in 2022, Williams has all the tools to earn similar accolades in the big leagues. He has slick actions, range to both sides, quick hands and one of the strongest arms in the Minors (more on that below). Not only can he execute spectacular plays, but he also consistently makes the routine ones, committing just nine errors in 113 games last year.
Also in the running: Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF, Orioles; Starlyn Caba, SS, Marlins; Tre’ Morgan, 1B/OF, Rays; Ethan Salas, C, Padres
Best arm: Carson Williams, SS, Rays (70)
When Williams was a California high schooler, some scouts liked him more as a right-handed pitcher than a shortstop after watching him run his fastball up to 95 mph and back it up with a tight slider. His arm stands out not only for its strength but also for its impressive accuracy.
Also in the running: Cole Carrigg, OF/SS/C, Rockies; Blake Mitchell, C, Royals; Braden Montgomery, OF, White Sox; Sebastian Walcott, SS/3B, Rangers
Best fastball: Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers (80)
There are so many reasons to love Misiorowski's fastball. It parks at 97-98 mph and peaks at 101. It comes with plenty of carry and armside run. His 6-foot-7 frame and low arm slot provide a wider angle and more extension than most pitchers can create. His heater generated a 31 percent swing-and-miss rate between Double-A and Triple-A last year, a figure that would have ranked fifth in the Majors.
Also in the running: Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates; George Klassen, RHP, Angels; Jarlin Susana, RHP, Nationals; Reynaldo Yean, RHP, Dodgers
Best curveball: Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers (70)
Misiorowski's curveball also devastates hitters, who went just 1-for-40 with a .025/.133/.025 slash line against it in 2024. His bender has more power than most, sitting in the mid-80s and topping out at 89 mph, and features huge downer break. His sharp low-90s slider isn't bad either.
Also in the running: Mason Adams, RHP, White Sox; Eric Cerantola, RHP, Royals; Dax Fulton, LHP, Marlins; Ben Hess, RHP, Yankees
Best slider: Noah Schultz, LHP, White Sox (70)
Thanks to his 6-foot-9 frame and low three-quarters arm slot, Schultz creates stunning horizontal movement on his dastardly slider. It has depth to it as well and continues to gain velocity, climbing as high as 88 mph. He can throw his slide piece for strikes or get hitters to fish for it off the plate, and it eats up lefties and righties alike.
Also in the running: Brody Brecht, RHP, Rockies; Chase Burns, RHP, Reds; Cade Horton, RHP, Cubs; Emiliano Teodo, RHP, Rangers
Best changeup: Carson Whisenhunt, LHP, Giants (70)
Whisenhunt ranked second in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League with 135 strikeouts last year, 71 of which came on changeups. He sells his tumbling 78-81 mph cambio with fastball arm speed and shows the feel for manipulating its shape and depth. His Triple-A chase (49 percent) and swing-and-miss rates (47 percent) were outlandish and both would have ranked second in the big leagues.
Also in the running: Luis Gastelum, RHP, Cardinals; Marquis Grissom Jr., RHP, Nationals; Bradgley Rodriguez, RHP, Padres; Craig Yoho, RHP, Brewers
Best control: Jedixson Paez, RHP, Red Sox (70)
Since signing for $450,000 out of Venezuela in 2021, Paez has posted a 3.25 ERA and 4 percent walk rate while succeeding at four different levels. He's coming off his best season yet, ranking second in the Minors in K/BB ratio (9.5) and third in walk rate (3 percent) among pitchers with 90 or more innings in 2024. He works from a low three-quarters slot with a flat approach angle, addling life and deception to his pitches without compromising his control.
Also in the running: Ryan Johnson, RHP, Angels; Adam Mazur, RHP, Marlins; Austin Peterson, RHP, Guardians; Steven Zobac, RHP, Royals
Jim Callis is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him @jimcallisMLB and @jimcallis.bsky.social. Listen to him on the weekly MLB Pipeline Podcast.
Hoss and Trashman: Family Bonded by Baseball
Around the world, it is estimated that over two million children play little league, many with the idea to one day become a Major League Baseball player. A fraction of that number moves onto high school ball, and even less grace a professional baseball field of any level, let alone
Cats Ride Three Straight Multi-Run Frames to Victory
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Trailing by a run as the game moved into the middle frames, the Sacramento River Cats unleashed three straight multi-run frames that powered Sacramento to an 8-1 victory over the El Paso Chihuahuas on Saturday. Two pitches into the game and the Chihuahuas (28-28) snatched the
Sacramento Stops Slide with Close 5-3 Victory Over El Paso
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – For a second straight game the Sacramento River Cats took a lead with a three-run frame, this time dropping a trio of runs in the fourth and making the lead last over the final four frames for a 5-3 win over the El Paso Chihuahuas on
Johnson Blast Gives Sacramento Early Lead They Cannot Hold
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A no-doubt three-run homer from Daniel Johnson put the Sacramento River Cats out in front of the El Paso Chihuahuas early in game three of their series, but an El Paso grand slam shifted the momentum and gave Sacramento an 8-5 defeat on Thursday. The Chihuahuas
Lamb RBI Single Lone Tally for Cats in 3-1 Loss to Chihuahuas
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A Jake Lamb knock in the bottom of the seventh scored Daniel Johnson and knotted the contest at 1-1 between the Sacramento River Cats and El Paso Chihuahuas, but a pair of run in the top of the ninth meant a 3-1 defeat for Sacramento on
Three Runs in Ninth Not Enough for Sacramento Against El Paso
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Fighting until the final out and trailing by seven runs, the Sacramento River Cats plated one in the seventh and three in the home half of the ninth but still came up short against the El Paso Chihuahuas on Tuesday, 9-5. After a pair of Chihuahuas
Fifth Inning the Undoing of Cats on Sunday Against Comets
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Three straight run-scoring innings were not enough for the Sacramento River Cats to counter a seven-run fifth by the Oklahoma City Comets, giving Sacramento a 9-6 defeat in the series finale on Sunday. Both teams went quietly in the first before the River Cats (25-26) notched
Cats Cruise Behind Whisenhunt and Two Luciano Blasts
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Sacramento River Cats offense continued its breakout and piled on 11 runs in their Saturday contest with the Oklahoma City Comets, four of which came from the bat of Marco Luciano as his two homers and four RBI spurred Sacramento to an 11-4 victory. Six
Lamb Slam Leads River Cats to Victory over Comets
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – A first inning grand slam set the tone for the Sacramento River Cats, who rode that momentum and outlasted the Oklahoma City Comets for an 8-6 win on Friday night. A pair of walks opened the game for the River Cats (24-25) while the bases were
Knizner Debuts with Five RBI, Cats Win Third Straight
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Scoring early and often was the key to success in a second straight game for the Sacramento River Cats, plating seven runs by through the top of the third inning en route to an 8-1 victory over the Oklahoma City Comets on Wednesday. It was an
Sacramento Starts Series with Secure 11-5 Victory
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Continuing the momentum from their Sunday victory, the Sacramento River Cats scored early and rode solid pitching to an 11-5 victory over the Oklahoma City Comets in their series opener on Tuesday. Both teams went quietly in the first, but the River Cats (22-24) exploded in
Whisenhunt Dominates Bees, Earns PCL Pitcher of the Week Honor
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A pair of strong outings in which he punched out a combined 14 batters while not allowing an earned run has earned left-hander Carson Whisenhunt his second Pacific Coast League weekly honor of the season, as he was named the PCL Pitcher of the Week for
Cats Close Series with Dominant 7-1 Win Over Bees
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Another Carson Whisenhunt start, another Whisenhunt gem as the southpaw breezed through seven strong frames while Max Stassi provided a bang in his return from the injured list to power the Sacramento River Cats to a 7-1 win over the Salt Lake Bees. After missing 19
Johnson’s Blast Lone Tally in Cats’ 6-1 Loss
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacramento River Cats trailed in Saturday night’s contest the entire way after a Salt Lake Bees homer to start the game, mustering only one run in a 6-1 loss at Sutter Health Park. A solo blast from Daniel Johnson in the third inning represented the
Cats Avoid Shutout but Fall 9-2 to Bees
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Two runs in the final at-bats of the game helped the Sacramento River Cats avoid a second consecutive shutout at the hands of the Salt Lake Bees, but still the offense was too little, too late with Salt Lake capturing game four of the series by
Sacramento Shut Out by Salt Lake on Thursday
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Five hits were all the Sacramento River Cats could muster in game three of their series with the Salt Lake Bees on Thursday, none of which could produce a run as Salt Lake snagged a 6-0 victory over Sacramento at Sutter Health Park. River Cats (20-22)
Cats Capitalize in Seventh, Snag 6-2 Win over Bees
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – While the Salt Lake Bees wiped away an early lead by the Sacramento River Cats, the Cats scored three in the seventh and one in the eight as they swiped game two of the series with Salt Lake by a 5-3 final. For the sixth straight
Four-Run First Sets Sacramento on Route to Victory, 5-3
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A four-run first inning and a dominant start from southpaw Carson Whisenhunt were the recipe for success for the Sacramento River Cats on Tuesday, as they topped the Salt Lake Bees in their series opener by a 5-3 final. The River Cats (19-21) were ready to
Sacramento Lead Slips Late Against Tacoma, Cats Drop Series
TACOMA, Wash. – Aiming to avoid a series loss, the Sacramento River Cats reached the scoreboard first and enjoyed a comfortable lead for most of the game, but the Tacoma Rainiers staged a late comeback to steal the series finale on Sunday, 12-7. For a second straight game it was
Luciano Slam Lifts Sacramento Over Tacoma, 7-5
TACOMA, Wash. – Marco Luciano delivered one of the most clutch hits of the young season for the Sacramento River Cats, unloading the bases with one swing that lifted Sacramento to a 7-5 win over the Tacoma Rainiers in game five of their set. An early 3-0 River Cats (18-20)
Cats Shutout by Rainiers on Wednesday, 3-0
TACOMA, Wash. – Despite pounding out six hits, the Sacramento River Cats were shutout for the second time this season as the Tacoma Rainiers tallied a trio of runs for a 3-0 victory in game two of their series on Wednesday. River Cats (17-18) starter Carson Whisenhunt (2-3) worked around
Four Extra-Base Hits in Sixth Pushes Sacramento to Victory
TACOMA, Wash. – A three-run sixth inning by the Sacramento River Cats broke open a 1-1 tie on Tuesday, using four extra-base hits in the frame to eventually take down the Tacoma Rainiers by a 4-2 final. Jumping out in front first was the Rainiers (11-23), as they turned a
Sacramento Laughs Last in Extras Against Reno
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Grant McCray was the hero on Sunday, as his RBI single down the right-field line in the 10th inning helped the Sacramento River Cats end their fastest extra-innings game since at least 2005 with a 3-2 victory over the Reno Aces. Stepping to the plate hitless
Late Tally Not Enough for Sacramento as Reno Snags Game Five
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A night after logging only two hits and still escaping victorious, the offense remained slow for the Sacramento River Cats on Saturday as the Reno Aces were powered by a four-run third inning that eventually led to a 5-1 win in game five of the series.
Three-Run Johnson Triple Just Enough on Friday for Cats
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A three-run triple from the newest River Cat was all the scoring they needed in Friday’s contest with the Reno Aces, and though things got tight down the stretch, Sacramento kept a hold on a 3-2 victory over Reno. In the second frame the River Cats