Here's the Cubs' player pool for their Spring Breakout game

MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs have balanced building a playoff-contending roster with creating developmental runway for prospects in the Major Leagues in recent seasons. Names like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Michael Busch, Cade Horton and Matt Shaw have jumped from Pipeline’s rankings to postseason races.

Spring Breakout offers a chance to get a glimpse of which prospects might follow a similar path as Chicago continues to prioritize development alongside winning. Here is a breakdown of this year’s prospect showcase and which players stand out from the initial roster pool for the Cubs’ farm system.

What is Spring Breakout?

In 2026, MLB Spring Breakout will again be a four-day event showcasing baseball’s future -- the current stars of Minor League Baseball – in 16 exhibition games played between teams composed of each MLB organization’s top prospects. The third edition will be held from March 19-22 at Grapefruit and Cactus League stadiums during Spring Training.

In 2027, Spring Breakout will be expanded into a single-elimination tournament format, with champions being crowned in both the Grapefruit and Cactus leagues.

When is the Cubs’ game?

The Cubs’ prospects are scheduled to take on prospects from the Padres’ system at 7:05 p.m. CT on March 21 at Sloan Park.

How can I tune in?

MLB.TV, MLB.com, MLB App, Marquee, SDPA, Gameday

Notable position players

Moisés Ballesteros, Chicago’s top-ranked prospect and No. 55 on the Top 100 list, leads the list of position players on the Cubs’ initial roster pool for Spring Breakout. After a strong MLB debut last year, the 22-year-old catcher has a strong chance to make the Cubs’ Opening Day roster as a designated hitter and part-time catcher.

Behind Ballesteros, it will be intriguing to see if outfielder Ethan Conrad -- the Cubs’ first-round pick in the Draft last summer -- will suit up for this showcase. Shortstop Jefferson Rojas, who has cracked the Top 100 list in the past, has impressed in big league camp this spring. Outfielder Kevin Alcántara (an Opening Day roster contender) is among the top hitting prospects in the pool, too.

Notable pitchers

Right-hander Jaxon Wiggins -- ranked No. 58 on the current Top 100 list -- tops the list of pitchers who might make a Spring Breakout appearance from the Cubs’ system. Wiggins is experiencing his first Major League camp and has been soaking up knowledge from the veterans in the room, while also learning the ropes from 2025 Rookie of the Year contender Cade Horton.

Chicago’s system is heavier on position player prospects at the moment, but there are some intriguing arms in the pool beyond Wiggins. Notably, a pair of Draft picks from last summer -- Dominick Reid (third round) and Kaleb Wing (fourth round) -- are among the pitchers listed in the Breakout pool.

Roster details

Spring Breakout rosters are being constructed in two phases in 2026. Clubs initially submit a preliminary 40-man player pool on Thursday, March 5, which will then be pared down to the official 23-27 man rosters on March 18. The preliminary rosters were assembled using MLB Pipeline's Top 30 Prospects lists plus additional prospects submitted by the club.

Preliminary 40-man player pool (Cubs Top 30 Prospects list):

PITCHERS (15)
Brandon Birdsell, RHP, No. 17
Brooks Caple, RHP, NR
Jostin Florentino, RHP, No. 18
Grant Kipp, RHP, No. 29
Jackson Kirkpatrick, RHP, NR
Riley Martin, LHP, No. 28
Luis Martinez-Gomez, RHP, No. 24
Nazier Mulé, RHP, NR
Dominick Reid, RHP, No. 16
Erian Rodriguez, RHP, No. 23
Yenrri Rojas, RHP, NR
Will Sanders, RHP, NR
JP Wheat, RHP, NR
Jaxon Wiggins, RHP, No. 2/MLB No. 58
Kaleb Wing, RHP, No. 13

CATCHERS (4)
Ariel Armas, C, No. 20
Owen Ayers, C, No. 11
Moisés Ballesteros, C, No. 1/MLB No. 55
Justin Stransky, C, NR

INFIELDERS (11)
Edgar Alvarez, 1B, NR
Juan Cabada, 2B/OF, No. 12
Angel Cepeda, INF, No. 25
Fernando Cruz, SS/2B, No. 30
Jonathon Long, 1B, No. 7
Cole Mathis, 1B/3B, No. 15
Pedro Ramirez, 3B/2B, No. 9
Jefferson Rojas, SS/2B, No. 5
Ty Southisene, 2B, No. 26
Juan Tomas, SS, No. 14
James Triantos, 2B/OF, No. 10

OUTFIELDERS (10)
Derik Alcantara, OF, NR
Kevin Alcántara, OF, No. 4
Brett Bateman, OF, No. 21
Ethan Conrad, OF, No. 3
Josiah Hartshorn, OF, No. 8
Kane Kepley, OF, No. 6
Alexey Lumpuy, OF, NR
Christian Olivo, OF, NR
Kade Snell, OF, No. 27
Carter Trice, OF, NR