Spring Breakout was created by Major League Baseball in 2024 to showcase baseball franchises’ best up-and-coming players.
The Pirates defeated the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 in an event unlike anything we’ve seen before, and instantly became a hit.
The top prospects from the Pirates organization will play against the top talent from the Tigers organization this year.
It’s a rare time when recent draft picks like 2025 first-round pick right-hander Seth Hernandez can play in the same game as a player who has
already made his MLB debut, but is still a prospect like infielder Nick Yorke.
Earlier this month, the Pirates announced 40 players on their 2026 Spring Breakout roster. The unit includes 16 pitchers, five catchers, 12 infielders, and seven outfielders.
All of the Pirates’ Top 30 prospects, per MLB Pipeline, are listed on the team. One question surrounds No. 25 prospect, Jack Brannigan. Brannigan suffered a broken nose at the start of spring training.
The group is led by No. 1 overall prospect phenom Konnor Griffin. Right-handed pitchers Bubba Chandler (No. 2) and Seth Hernandez (No. 3), outfielder/first baseman Edward Florentino (No. 4), and lefty Hunter Barco (No. 5) round out the top five.
It’s a chance for fans across the country to see some of the biggest names in the organization all compete on the same field, potentially watching players they’ve heard much about for the first time.
Baseball America ranked the Pirates as the No. 1 farm system in baseball earlier this year.
The Pirates battle the Tigers on March 20 at their spring training home, LECOM Park in Bradenton,
Florida. First pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. and will air on SportsNet Pittsburgh.
Full Spring Breakout roster:
Pitchers:
RHP (13): Bubba Chandler, Brandon Bidois, Khristian Curtis, Wilber Dotel, Thomas Harrington, Seth Hernandez, Yonleg Gaetano, Antwone Kelly, Justin Meis, Jeter Martinez, Levi Sterling, Mike Walsh, Zander Mueth
LHP (3): Cy Nelson, Hunter Barco, Reinold Navarro
Catchers (5): Omar Alfonzo, Rafael Flores, Easton Carmichael, Edgleen Perez, Axiel Plaz
Infielders (12): Konnor Griffin, Termarr Johnson, Tony Blanco, Jack Brannigan, Duce Gourson, Murf Gray, Yordany De Los Santos, Michael Callan Moss, Darell Morel, Nick Yorke, Sammy Stafura, Wyatt Sanford
Outfielders (7): Jhostynxon Garcia, Edward Florentino, Esmerlyn Valdez, Mitch Jebb, Titus Dumitru, Brian Sanchez, Will Taylor
