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

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- The Rays’ brief history with Spring Breakout has provided plenty of highlights and unforgettable moments.

There was the preposterous display of prodigious power that Xavier Isaac put on in the inaugural game, slugging two homers and an RBI double against the Twins. Then came last year’s matchup against the Red Sox, headlined by a homer barrage by some of baseball’s top prospects and a veritable track meet on the basepaths from speedsters Chandler Simpson and Homer Bush Jr..

What might this year’s prospect showcase bring? Here is everything you need to know about the Rays’ preliminary Spring Breakout roster.

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 Rays’ game?

The Rays will send their team of prospects across the state to face the Mets at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie on March 19. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.

How can I tune in?

MLB.TV, MLB.com, MLB App, MLB Network, SNY, Amazon, Gameday

Notable position players

Fourteen of the Rays’ top 21 prospects, and they are all on the club’s preliminary roster. That includes shortstop Carson Williams, the club’s No. 1 prospect, and outfielder Theo Gillen (No. 2) as well as MLB-ready outfielder Jacob Melton (No. 4) and 2025 first-round shortstop Daniel Pierce (No. 5).

It could be interesting to get a glimpse of the lower-level prospects who have only made cameo appearances, if that, in Major League Spring Training. That includes offseason trade acquisitions like outfielder Slater de Brun (No. 10), catcher Caden Bodine (No. 13) and outfielder Austin Overn (No. 26), plus returning prospects like catcher Nathan Flewelling (No. 11), outfielder Aidan Smith (No. 12) and slugger Brailer Guerrero (No. 24).

Notable pitchers

Which pitchers the Rays send to pitch in Spring Breakout will likely be determined by their Spring Training schedule and who’s available, but they have plenty of candidates to start the game.

Top pitching prospect Brody Hopkins (No. 3) would be the biggest name, but they could send out a newer arm like Anderson Brito (No. 6) or Michael Forret (No. 8), both offseason trade pickups. Starting Spring Breakout would also be another neat accomplishment for TJ Nichols (No. 7), who started the Rays’ Grapefruit League opener. As for who might finish the game, the Rays added two relief prospects who have been in Major League camp to their preliminary roster: right-hander Alex Cook and lefty Joe Rock.

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 (Rays Top 30 Prospects list):

PITCHERS (11)
Anderson Brito, RHP, No. 6
Alex Cook, RHP, NR
Michael Forret, RHP, No. 8
Gary Gill Hill, RHP, No. 27
Trevor Harrison, RHP, No. 16
Brody Hopkins, RHP, No. 3/MLB No. 85
Ty Johnson, RHP, No. 18
TJ Nichols, RHP, No. 7
Joe Rock, LHP, NR
Santiago Suarez, RHP, No. 9
Jose Urbina, RHP, No. 17

CATCHERS (4)
Caden Bodine, C, No. 13
Nathan Flewelling, C, No. 11
Dominic Keegan, C, No. 20
Tatem Levins, C, NR

INFIELDERS (15)
Jadher Areinamo, INF, No. 15
Andreimi Antunez, SS, NR
Gregory Barrios, SS, NR
Cooper Flemming, SS, No. 28
Taitn Gray, 1B, No. 30
Xavier Isaac, 1B, No. 14
Cooper Kinney, INF, NR
Tre’ Morgan, 1B/OF, No. 19
Daniel Pierce, SS, No. 5
Emilien Pitre, 2B/SS, NR
Narciso Polanco, INF, NR
Adrian Santana, SS, NR
Will Simpson, 1B, NR
Brayden Taylor, INF, NR
Carson Williams, SS, No. 1/MLB No. 63

OUTFIELDERS (10)
Slater de Brun, OF, No. 10
Homer Bush Jr., OF, No. 25
Theo Gillen, OF, No. 2/MLB No. 76
Brailer Guerrero, OF, No. 24
Mac Horvath, OF, NR
Jacob Melton, OF, No. 4
Dean Moss, OF, No. 29
Austin Overn, OF, No. 26
Aidan Smith, OF, No. 12
Brendan Summerhill, OF, No. 21