MLB adds new tournament format to future Spring Breakouts; this year's Spring Breakout slated for March 19th-22nd following the World Baseball Classic
Major League Baseball today announced plans to expand upon its highly successful Spring Breakout with the 2027 launch of the new Spring Breakout Tournament. The new single-elimination tournament in late March, during the 2027 and 2028 Spring Training schedules, will showcase 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 Club 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. The new format will begin next season in order to avoid overlapping with this year’s World Baseball Classic.
Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said: “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. 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.”
After its first two exciting editions, 2026 Spring Breakout will be featured during Spring Training from March 19th-22nd, with all games being carried live by MLB Network, local RSNs, or streamed on MLB’s Digital Properties. Eleven 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.
Many of baseball’s top prospects are expected to play in the 2026 Spring Breakout, including Pirates infielder Konnor Griffin, Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle and outfielder Max Clark, Athletics infielder Leo De Vries, Brewers infielder Jesús Made and Cardinals infielder J.J. Wetherholt. Under the 2026 Spring Breakout schedule, Griffin’s Pirates will play the Tigers, while De Vries and the A’s will take on Made and the Brewers.
Three of the last four Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award winners have participated in Spring Breakout, including Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes, Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz and Braves catcher Drake Baldwin. Other current young stars of MLB who participated in the first two Spring Breakouts are 2025 All-Stars James Wood of the Nationals, Junior Caminero of the Rays, and pitcher Jacob Misiorowski of the Brewers, as well his teammate Jackson Chourio; Blue Jays’ 2025 Postseason standout pitcher Trey Yesavage; Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony; Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday; and Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn. In total, 210 players who participated in the first two iterations of the Spring Breakout have gone on to play Major League Baseball.
The 2026 Spring Breakout rosters will be revealed live on a special MLB Network program on Thursday, March 5th from 12:00-1:00 p.m. (ET), co-hosted by Matt Vasgersian and Harold Reynolds with MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis. Spring Breakout participants will join the Hot Stove program, which will simulcast on MLB’s digital platforms, plus commentary will be provided by MLB Pipeline experts from Spring Training in Arizona and Florida.
All Spring Breakout games will be streamed live and for free on MLB.TV, MLB.com and on the MLB App. MLB Network will air eight games live. The full live broadcast schedule, subject to change, is as follows: