
TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Angels released their preliminary 40-player pool for Spring Breakout on Thursday, and it features nearly all of the club’s top prospects; only two of their Top 30 Prospects aren’t included.
The roster will be further trimmed to roughly 23-27 players for the third annual Spring Breakout, which will be held from March 19-22 and pits prospects from different organizations against each other.
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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 Angels’ game?
The Angels host Guardians prospects at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz., on March 19 at 1:10 p.m. PT.
How can I tune in?
Notable position players
Center fielder Nelson Rada -- the Angels' No. 3 prospect -- is just 20 years old, but he reached Triple-A Salt Lake last year and is considered close to reaching the Majors. He’s considered the club’s center fielder and leadoff hitter of the future with his ability to get on base and steal bases. He also went 1-for-3 with a walk in last year’s Spring Breakout against the Cubs.
Shortstops Joswa Lugo, 19 (No. 7), and Denzer Guzman, 22 (No. 8), also stand out. Lugo signed for $2.3 million as part of the Angels' 2024 international signing class, while Guzman got his first taste of the Majors last September. Guzman can also play second and short, while Lugo has a big frame of 6-foot-3 and 187 pounds.
Notable pitchers
Right-hander Tyler Bremner, baseball's No. 81 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is on the preliminary list, but he might not pitch because he’s still working on his slider. Bremner, the No. 2 overall pick in last year’s Draft, has been in Major League camp but hasn’t appeared in a Cactus League game. He did face hitters in a simulated game on Tuesday, so he is making progress.
The Angels, though, are loaded with arms, with 19 of their Top 30 Prospects being pitchers. Right-hander Ryan Johnson (No. 2), who surprisingly made the team out of the bullpen last year, is on the roster, along with Johnny Slawinski (No. 4), George Klassen (No. 5), Chase Shores (No. 9), Trey Gregory-Alford (No. 10), Chris Cortez (No. 13), Walbert Urena (No. 19), Nate Snead (No. 20) and Joel Hurtado (No. 23).
Klassen pitched last year against the Cubs in Spring Breakout and was impressive, throwing a scoreless inning. Cortez, Urena and Hurtado also saw action last year, while Shores and Snead turned heads with their velocity in big league camp this spring before being reassigned on Monday.
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 (Angels Top 30 Prospects list):
PITCHERS (22)
Samuel Aldegheri, LHP, No. 17
Tyler Bremner, RHP, No. 1/MLB No. 81
Chris Cortez, RHP, No. 13
CJ Gray, RHP, No. 15
Trey Gregory-Alford, RHP, No. 10
Austin Gordon, RHP, No. 27
Talon Haley, LHP, No. 14
Joel Hurtado, RHP, No. 23
Ryan Johnson, RHP, No. 2
Dylan Jordan, RHP, No. 11
Keythel Key, RHP, NR
George Klassen, RHP, No. 5
Xavier Mitchell, LHP, No. 25
Samy Natera, LHP, NR
Peyton Olejnik, RHP, No. 29
Chase Shores, RHP, No. 9
Johnny Slawinski, LHP, No. 4
Nate Snead, RHP, No. 20
Ubaldo Soto, RHP, No. 26
Jared Southard, RHP, NR
Walbert Urena, RHP, No. 19
Yeferson Vargas, RHP, NR
CATCHERS (3)
Gabriel Davalillo, C, No. 6
Juan Flores, C, No. 21
Marlon Quintero, C, No. 28
INFIELDERS (9)
Yilver De Paula, SS, No. 24
Cole Fontenelle, 3B, NR
Ben Gobbel, INF, NR
Denzer Guzman, SS, No. 8
David Mershon, SS, NR
Jake Munroe, 3B, NR
Joswa Lugo, SS, No. 7
Nick Rodriguez, 2B, NR
Anthony Santa Cruz de Oviedo, 1B, NR
OUTFIELDERS (6)
Hayden Alvarez, OF, No. 12
Yojancel Cabrera, OF, NR
Randy De Jesus, OF, No. 30
Nelson Rada, OF, No. 3
Raudi Rodriguez, OF, No. 16
Anthony Scull, OF, NR
