We’ll see even more emphasis on prospects in the future, as MLB is instituting a new minor-league Spring Breakout Tournament in 2027 and 2028.
The Spring Breakout Tournament is billed as a single-elimination tournament in late March, near the end of spring training. The goal, per MLB, is showcasing the game’s future stars in a more competitive setting, with players now vying for a Spring Breakout title.
Spring Breakout Tournament games will feature teams comprised of top prospects from each Major League team in the Cactus League and the Grapefruit League going head-to-head in this format for the first time, with each league crowning a Spring Breakout champion.
“Spring Breakout has provided invaluable exposure to the future stars of our game and given our fans a preview of all the exciting talent that is flowing into our sport,” said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, Jr., in a press release. “With more meaningful games, the Spring Breakout Tournament will take this event to the next level and create a unique experience for our fans ahead of Opening Day.”
Spring Breakout games were first played in 2024 and continues through this year’s spring-training schedule, with 11 of the 16 games will be played as a standalone game at a Major League Spring Training venue, with the remaining five contests being played as a single-admission doubleheader with a MLB spring training game. For minor leaguers, spring training begins later in the schedule and usually involves play against other minor leaguers in the area, though in recent years we’ve seen less emphasis on those games and more scheduling of camp days. Alas, most teams don’t even bother publishing their minor-league game schedules, but the scheduled Spring Breakout games means you can see the future stars in a guaranteed venue. This years sees touted stars like Konnor Griffin (Pittsburgh Pirates), Kevin McGonigle and outfielder Max Clark (Detroit Tigers), Leo De Vries (the Athletics), Jesús Made (Milwaukee Brewers) and J.J. Wetherholt (St. Louis Cardinals) all scheduled to play in the March 19-22 games. If you’re not planning to be in Florida or Arizona, all Spring Breakout games will be streamed live and for free on MLB.TV, MLB.com and on the MLB App.
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