2025 MLB Spring Breakout: Notable Prospects to Watch (NL Edition)

The 2025 MLB Spring Breakout will take place next week, the second year the prospect showcase will take place. Rosters were announced late this week, and many of the game’s top prospects who are not competing for MLB roster spots are among the notable players set to be involved. Here’s a look at our list of prospects to watch among the National League teams.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Slade Caldwell (OF)
JD Dix (INF)
Druw Jones (OF)
Tommy Troy (INF)
Ryan Waldschmidt (OF)

The Diamondbacks are sending several former first-round picks to their game against the Royals’ prospects. Tommy Troy, Ryan Waldschmidt, Slade Caldwell, and Druw Jones will be on the roster.

Jones is the most notable name, as he was the second overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. The 21-year-old has been slow to develop, spending the last two years in Visalia (A). Jones strikes out a ton. But, his speed and defensive prowess, similar to his father Andruw, make him still a noteworthy prospect.

Another notable name is JD Dix, a Wake Forest commit who signed with Arizona after he was drafted 35th overall last July.

Atlanta Braves

JR Ritchie (P)
Garrett Baumann (P)

Atlanta’s Spring Breakout roster isn’t laden with top-tier names. Many of the Braves’ top prospects, including Drake Baldwin, Drue Hackenberg, Nacho Alvarez Jr., and AJ Smith-Shawver, are fighting for roster spots on the big club. Owen Murphy, the Braves’ 2022 first-round pick, is still recovering from Tommy John surgery,

The Braves will have two of their better pitching prospects available against the Tigers, in JR Ritchie and Garrett Baumann. Ritchie, another first-round pick, showed off a good fastball in his return from Tommy John. He struck out 56 over 49.1 IP last year.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs’ Spring Breakout roster is headlined by three players: catcher Moises Ballesteros, infielder/outfielder James Triantos, and former first-round pick Cade Horton.

Ballesteros has been a steady performer in the Cubs’ system, posting .800+ OPS numbers each of the last three season, and nearly had a 20-home run campaign last year. Triantos, a savvy hitter with a penchant for making contact, batted .300/.346/.427 (.773 OPS) with 47 stolen bases last year across two levels.

The big name, though, is Horton. Horton was limited to nine starts last season, five of which came in Triple-A. Almost half of his whiffs (23 of 49) in Triple-A last year came off the slider, a pitch that’s received rave reviews and is easily his best secondary pitch. The former first-round pick has a mid-90s fastball that possesses below-average IVB (12.6”) and below-average changeup movement.

Cincinnati Reds

Chase Burns, who was recently re-assigned to Minor League camp, headlines the Reds’ Spring Breakout roster. Burns is a treat to watch, thanks to his plus-plus fastball and hard slider, a combo that could easily make him a top-tier starter if command doesn’t become a problem like it did while he was in Tennessee.

The Reds are also sending many of their best hitting prospects, including power-hitting corner infielder Cam Collier, Sal Stewart, Edwin Arroyo, all of whom are close to knocking on the door to Cincinnati.

It’ll also serve as a proving ground for several other youngsters, including Alfredo Duno and Sammy Stafura. Both Duno and Stafura posted OPS figures close to .800 in full-season ball as teenagers.

Colorado Rockies

The Rockies saw Chase Dollander post impressive numbers this spring, as the 2023 first-round pitch hit 98-99 MPH regularly with his fastball and struck out seven over five innings. Dollander is the headlining pitcher.

As for the bats, Adael Amador — potentially the Rockies’ second baseman of the future — will be on the roster. Charlie Condon, the NCAA home run king who struggled in pro ball, is also on the team.

It’s also interesting to see the Rockies send Drew Romo to the game. Romo got a cup of coffee last year in Colorado, hitting .176/.208/.235 (.443 OPS) over 53 plate appearances. He’s a natural contact hitter, one who started to hit for more pop in 2023 & 2024.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers acquired two notable prospects in the Michael Busch trade last winter, in Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope. Both will be on the Dodgers’ roster.

Ferris has one of the highest upsides in all of Minor League Baseball, as he struck out 145 batters over 126.2 IP last year. It’s not always efficient with Ferris, who’s had command problems and likely will as he progresses. But, the stuff is legit.

Hope, meanwhile, was a raw, high-upside high school outfielder who posted a .903 OPS. He’ll be joined by several big-name prospects, including Josue De Paula and former first-round pick Kellon Lindsey.

Miami Marlins

The Marlins’ rebuild is in full force, and Miami fans will see arguably their two best prospects in Noble Meyer and Thomas White. One could argue that White, drafted 25 picks after Meyer in 2023, passed his peer, as the former struck out 120 over 96 frames last season. Meyer limited contact but also walked 55 over 74 innings.

Miami fans will also get a chance to quite a few big-name hitters acquired over the last calendar year. Deyvinson De Los Santos (acquired from ARI), Dillion Head (acquired from SD), and Agustin Ramirez (acquired by NYY) are on the roster, as is Starlyn Caba. Caba, an on-base machine, was the headliner in the Jesus Luzardo trade.

PJ Morlando, the Marlins’ top pick from 2024, is also on the roster.

Milwaukee Brewers

There is no Jeferson Quero, who missed most of 2024 thanks to a torn labrum in his lone Triple-A game, on this roster. However, the Brewers are sending highly-touted infielders Jesus Made and Cooper Pratt for their game against the Reds. The hype train is also over Made, who slashed .331/.458/.554 (1.012 OPS) in the Dominican League.

Brewers fans will also get another look at pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski. For Misiorowski, it’s a big year. The right-hander made it to Triple-A and could force his way into the Brewers’ rotation. However, keeping his delivery and mechanics in order won’t be easy.

Aside from the big names, also watch power hitters Blake Burke, Marco Dinges, and Brock Wilken. Wilken was a first-round pick in 2023.

New York Mets

The Mets won’t have several big names who are fighting for MLB spots. However, New York will have two breakout performers from 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Jett Williams missed most of 2024 thanks to an injury but has high upside. He’s athletic, has power, and picked up over 100 walks two years ago. Williams profiles as a future leadoff hitter. However, he’ll likely need to move off short to find a spot on the MLB roster. Jonah Tong, thanks to a carrying fastball and a sharp curveball with depth, struck out 160 last season.

As for someone who could rise in 2025, Carson Benge will be with the team when the Mets’ prospects take on the Nationals. Benge was the Mets’ first-round pick last year after posting a 1.109 OPS at Oklahoma State.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Bubba Chandler (P)
Konnor Griffin (INF/OF)
Termarr Johnson (INF)

Bubba Chandler could join the likes of Jared Jones and Paul Skenes in Pittsburgh this season. Chandler has a blistering fastball and was a strikeout machine last season. The righty will headline the Pirates’ crop of pitchers headed to the Spring Breakout, alongside Hunter Barco and Anthony Solometo.

As for the bats, Konnor Griffin will play in the 2025 Spring Breakout. The former Gatorade National High School Player of the Year did not play a game in the farm system after he was drafted.

Termarr Johnson, the Pirates’ first-rounder from 2022, made it to Double-A last season. Johnson, like Jett Williams, also reached the triple digits in walks in 2023. And, Johnson’s got pop; he picked up 33 home runs over 165 games between 2023-24.

Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia won’t send Mick Abel or Andrew Painter. But, the Phillies will send Justin Crawford and Aidan Miller. The two are different prospects. Crawford is a hit-first outfielder with plus-plus speed. Miller, meanwhile, is also very athletic but with more pop. The 20-year-old Miller cracked 45 extra-base hits last season.

Eduardo Tait, who could start 2025 in Jersey Shore (A+), slashed .302/.356/.486 (.842 OPS) with 11 home runs last season as a 17-year-old.

The Phillies will also send Dante Nori, their 2024 first-round pick, to the Spring Breakout. Nori was an overaged high school prospect who turned 20 this past October. The 5’10” outfielder played 14 games late last season with Clearwater (A).

San Diego Padres

San Diego will hope for maturation from Ethan Salas in 2025. Salas pushed the pace as a 16-year-old, as he posted a .752 OPS and pushed his way to Double-A in a historic season. But last year, Salas’ numbers were not as impressive, with a .599 OPS in Fort Wayne (A+). Still, he’s only 18.

Leodalis De Vries was also subject to the Padres’ aggressive ways. De Vries hit .237/.361/.441 (.802) in Low-A, showing patience at the plate.

The Padres will also be sending some of their 2024 picks, including Kash Mayfield and Kavares Tears. Tears soared to the fourth round last July after a 20-home run campaign with the Tennessee Volunteers.

San Francisco Giants

The headliner among the Giants’ Spring Breakout players is Bryce Eldridge. Eldridge, as we noted in February, has effortless plus power, and that was on full display last season. He cracked 23 home runs and 52 extra-base hits, pushing his way to Triple-A last year.

Speaking of power, James Tibbs III blasted 28 home runs on a deep Florida State team last spring. Tibbs III will be joined by fellow outfielder Dakota Jordan.

The Giants will also send arguably their best pitching prospect, Carson Whisenhunt, to the showcase. Whisenhunt struck out 141 over 109.2 IP last season.

St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis will send Quinn Mathews, who was recently demoted to Minor League camp alongside Cooper Hjerpe, who’s also on the roster. Mathews is the reigning Minor League Pitcher of the Year who pushed his fastball from the low-90s to mid-90s and is poised to be on the roster at some point this season.

Cardinals fans will also get a chance to see several former first-round picks. One of those names is JJ Wetherholt, who headlines the bats alongside Thomas Saggese. Wetherholt is a plus hitter who missed parts of 2024 with West Virginia last year. But two years ago, Wetherholt won the Division I batting title.

Power-hitting outfielder Chase Davis, the Cardinals’ first-round pick from 2023, is also on the roster.

Washington Nationals

Because the Nationals are playing two games, the rosters will vary. Jarlin Susana is on the team’s March 14 contest against the Astros. Alex Clemmey, acquired last summer in the Lane Thomas trade, will be available against the Mets. Both are among the team’s top pitching prospects. Travis Sykora is still recovering from offseason hip surgery.

As for who will be on the Nationals’ roster for both nights, Washington will send former first-round picks Brady House and Seaver King. King showed he belonged last season after a solid 2024 at Wake Forest. House, a power-hitting prospect, struck out a ton last year and posted a .699 OPS.

The Nationals will also have 2024 second-round pick Luke Dickerson available.