Here's the D-backs' Spring Breakout roster
Steve Gilbert
@SteveGilbertMLBSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- One of the things D-backs manager Torey Lovullo likes best about Spring Training is when he gets a chance to see some of the organization’s prospects who might not be in big league camp get the chance to play.
When he was asked at the beginning of camp about which Minor Leaguers he particularly wanted to see, Lovullo referenced shortstop Tommy Troy, who was the D-backs' first-round pick in last year’s MLB Draft, and outfielder Druw Jones, Arizona’s top pick (second overall) in the 2022 Draft.
Lovullo will get to see those two, along with the rest of Arizona’s top prospects compete against the Rockies' top prospects in the inaugural Spring Breakout game March 16 at 4:10 p.m. MST at Salt River Fields.
“When you're talking about watching some of the best prospects in baseball on one field at one time, I get excited about that,” Lovullo said. “That's what this game is all about. It's about young players coming up here learning, growing, performing and eventually carrying the torch.”
The D-backs' roster for the game will be loaded. Of the organization’s Top 30 prospects per MLB Pipeline, the top 16 are on the roster.
If you assign points from 30 down to one for each of the prospects in an organization’s Top 30, the D-backs rank fourth in points behind only the Padres, Brewers and Astros among the teams which are sending their best.
“It's a great idea,” D-backs senior vice president/assistant GM Amiel Sawdaye said. “I think anytime we get the opportunity to take our best young players and showcase them in front of the fans it’s a great thing.
“This game is trending towards young players playing a huge role on competitive teams. It used to be that competitive teams would slowly break those players in, and I think you take a look around the league and some of the best teams are starting rookies on Opening Day. So I think it's another step towards getting your best young prospects into the big leagues.”
What is Spring Breakout? MLB Spring Breakout is a four-day event showcasing baseball’s future: the current stars of Minor League Baseball. The inaugural edition will be held from March 14-17 at Grapefruit and Cactus League stadiums during Spring Training. A series of 16 exhibition games will be played between teams comprised of each MLB organization’s top prospects, creating a new touchpoint on the baseball calendar that celebrates our sport’s budding talent.
Here's the D-backs' Spring Breakout roster with MLB Pipeline's rankings:
PITCHERS
Yu-Min Lin, LHP, No. 4
Dylan Ray, RHP, No. 9*
Cristian Mena, RHP, No. 11*
Yilber Diaz, RHP, No. 15
Ricardo Yan, RHP, No. 22
Landon Sims, RHP, No. 23
Justin Martinez, RHP, No. 26
Blake Walston, LHP, No. 27*
Conor Grammes, RHP, NR
Sam Knowlton, RHP, NR
Will Mabrey, LHP, NR
Christian Montes de Oca, RHP, NR
Zane Russell, RHP, NR
Yordin Chalas, RHP, NR
*Removed from roster