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

BRADENTON, Fla. -- For a Pirates organization that boasts the top overall prospect -- not to mention four others ranked within MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 -- this year’s Spring Breakout figures to be a must-see showcase.

Here’s everything you need to know about it:

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 Pirates’ game?

The Pirates will host the Tigers in a Spring Breakout showdown at 7:35 p.m. ET on March 20 at LECOM Park in Bradenton.

How can I tune in?

MLB.TV, MLB.com, MLB App, SNP, Peacock, Amazon, Gameday

Notable position players:

Konnor Griffin, SS (No. 1 overall prospect)

Griffin is perhaps the most must-see prospect in baseball right now. The 19-year-old phenom came into camp as MLB Pipeline’s top overall prospect, and he’s had no problem living up to the hype so far. On just the second day of Grapefruit League play, he was already catching the eye of two-time MVP -- and former top prospect himself -- Bryce Harper. Two days later, Griffin was smashing not one but two home runs over the replica Green Monster in a rout of the Red Sox.

An all-around talent, Griffin is already pushing for a spot on the Pirates’ Opening Day roster -- and the Spring Breakout might just turn into his latest audition.

Jhostynxon Garcia, OF (Pirates’ No. 6 prospect)

Garcia is also hoping to break camp with the Pirates after coming over from the Red Sox this offseason as part of the Johan Oviedo trade. Nicknamed “The Password,” a nod to the complex spelling of his first name, Garcia brings incredible raw power to the plate -- and he’s not afraid to unleash some massive swings. The downside to that aggressive approach is an inflated strikeout rate that the 23-year-old needs to improve upon, but Garcia is a home run threat any time he steps in the box.

Notable pitchers:

Bubba Chandler, RHP (PIT No. 2, MLB No. 11)

Given what he showed in his limited debut last year, it’s no secret what Chandler is capable of on the mound. The 23-year-old is in line for a potential breakout season as one of the top pitching prospects in the sport. In just 31 1/3 innings across seven big league appearances last season, Chandler threw 43 pitches of at least 100 mph. To put that in perspective, only two starting pitchers -- Cincinnati’s Hunter Greene and Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski -- threw more triple-digit fastballs across the Majors for the entire season.

Hunter Barco, LHP (PIT No. 5, MLB No. 96)

Similar to Chandler, Barco pitched well enough to make his MLB debut down the stretch last season. Unlike Chandler, however, Barco isn’t going to blow anyone away with his fastball, which sits around 93 mph and tops out at 96. But the left-hander’s funky delivery and the unusual movement on his fastball make it a difficult pitch for hitters to square up. After battling injuries for the past few years, including Tommy John surgery in college in 2022, Barco hopes to burst onto the scene in ‘26.

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 (Pirates Top 30 Prospects list):

PITCHERS (16)
Hunter Barco, LHP, No. 5/MLB No. 96
Brandan Bidois, RHP, NR
Bubba Chandler, RHP, No. 2/MLB No. 11
Khristian Curtis, RHP, No. 24
Wilber Dotel, RHP, No. 13
Yonleg Gaetano, RHP, NR
Thomas Harrington, RHP, No. 14
Seth Hernandez, RHP, No. 3/MLB No. 29
Antwone Kelly, RHP, No. 9
Jeter Martinez, RHP, No. 28
Justin Meis, RHP, NR
Zander Mueth, RHP, No. 26
Reinold Navarro, LHP, No. 27
Cy Nielson, LHP, NR
Levi Sterling, RHP, No. 16
Mike Walsh, RHP, NR

CATCHERS (5)
Omar Alfonzo, C, No. 17
Easton Carmichael, C, No. 19
Rafael Flores Jr., C/1B, No. 10
Edgleen Perez, C/1B, No. 23
Axial Plaz, C/1B, No. 22

INFIELDERS (12)
Tony Blanco Jr., 1B/OF, No. 30
Jack Brannigan, SS/3B, No. 25
Yordany De Los Santos, SS/3B, No. 21
Duce Gourson, 2B, No. 29
Murf Gray, 3B, No. 20
Konnor Griffin, SS/OF, No. 1/MLB No. 1
Termarr Johnson, 2B, No. 7
Darell Morel, SS, No. 18
Callan Moss, INF, NR
Wyatt Sanford, SS, No. 8
Sammy Stafura, SS, No. 12
Nick Yorke, 2B/OF, No. 15

OUTFIELDERS (7)
Titus Dumitru, OF, NR
Edward Florentino, OF/1B, No. 4/MLB No. 50
Jhostynxon Garcia, OF, No. 6
Mitch Jebb, OF, NR
Brian Sanchez, OF, NR
Will Taylor, OF, NR
Esmerlyn Valdez, OF/1B, No. 11