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

Each year, Spring Breakout features a snapshot of the future. But it’s also a glimpse into the not-too-distant present. Just a year ago, Sal Stewart delivered a two-hit, three-RBI game during the Reds’ Spring Breakout victory over the Brewers. Fast forward to present day, and after a Minor League campaign that saw him check a myriad of boxes (including participating in the All-Star Futures Game), the club’s No. 1 prospect is pounding on the door of a Major League roster spot.

Let’s take a look at what the Reds are bringing to the table for the 2026 edition:

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 eagues.

When is the game?

March 19 at 4:05 p.m. ET/1:05 p.m. MST. The Reds head to Scottsdale Stadium to take on the Giants in the heart of old town Scottsdale.

How can I tune in?

MLB.TV, MLB.com, MLB App, MLB Network, NBC Sports Bay Area, Amazon, Gameday

Notable position players

They’ll be abuzz in Daytona, Fla., home to Cincinnati’s Single-A affiliate. The club was home to Alfredo Duno (No. 2) and Tyson Lewis (No. 5), among others, last season as they helped lead the charge into the Florida State League finals. Duno, a power-hitting/strong-armed 20-year-old backstop, led the circuit in numerous offensive categories (HR, OPS, wRC+) before going on to the Arizona Fall League, where he delivered a three-homer game in the semifinals. Lewis, a second-round pick in the 2024 Draft, tore up the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League (.340/.396/.532) in his first taste of pro ball and spent time ranked among MLB’s Top 100 prospects last season.

Spring Breakout is familiar terrain for Cam Collier (No. 7), who socked the first homer in the event’s history back in 2024. Still just 21 years old, Collier already holds Futures Game MVP and Arizona Fall League Fall Stars honors to his mantle. He started the spring in big league camp and impressed Reds brass with his all-around aptitude.

It will be the first major stage for 2025 first-round pick Steele Hall (No. 3), who reclassified to join last year’s Draft class. MLB’s No. 83 prospect has 70-grade speed and models his game after Mookie Betts and other All-Star shortstops. On the other side of the shortstop coin, there will be Edwin Arroyo (No. 8), fresh off a stint in the World Baseball Classic with Puerto Rico. Long heralded as one of the premier defenders in the system, it’s possible Arroyo and Hall team up to make a formidable double-play duo for the first time.

Notable pitchers

The big question mark here is whether or not the Reds will have Rhett Lowder, their top-ranked pitching prospect (No. 4/MLB No. 86), at their disposal. The righty is embroiled in a frenetic battle for the No. 5 spot in the big league starting rotation, as is Julian Aguiar (No. 20) -- the pair teamed up to cover five innings of one-run ball at the Spring Breakout event back in 2024.

Beyond that, it’s an exciting blend of talent pushing the upper levels of the Minors -- Chase Petty (No. 9), Jose Franco (No. 12) -- and high-upside recent additions to the organization like 2025 draftees Aaron Watson (No. 10), Mason Morris (No. 13) and former two-way player Sheng-En Lin (No. 11), who will focus solely on the mound this upcoming season.

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 (Reds Top 30 Prospects list):

PITCHERS (16)
Julian Aguiar, RHP, No. 21
Edgar Colon, RHP, NR
Jose Franco, RHP, No. 12
Luke Holman, RHP, No. 22
Trevor Kuncl, RHP, NR
Sheng-En Lin, RHP, No. 11
David Lorduy, RHP, NR
Rhett Lowder, RHP, No. 4/MLB No. 86
Zach Maxwell, RHP, No. 20
Jose Montero, RHP, NR
Mason Morris, RHP, No. 13
JeanPierre Ortiz, RHP, No. 27
Chase Petty, RHP, No. 9
Stharlin Torres, RHP, No. 26
Deivi Villafana, RHP, No. 30
Aaron Watson, RHP, No. 10

CATCHERS (4)
Alfredo Duno, C, No. 2/MLB No. 38
Cade Hunter, C, NR
Ryan McCrystal, C, NR
Jirvin Morillo, C, No. 24

INFIELDERS (11)
Alfredo Alcantara, SS, NR
Edwin Arroyo, SS, No. 8
Leo Balcazar, SS/2B, No. 17
Ricky Cabrera, 3B/2B, No. 25
Cam Collier, 1B/3B, No. 7
Ty Doucette, 1B, NR
Steele Hall, SS, No. 3/MLB No. 83
Tyson Lewis, SS, No. 5
Carlos Sanchez, 3B/SS, No. 29
Sal Stewart, INF, No. 1/MLB No. 22
Rafhlmil Torres, SS, NR

OUTFIELDERS (9)
Jay Allen II, OF, NR
Kyle Henley, OF, NR
Carlos Jorge, OF, No. 18
Arnaldo Lantigua, OF, No. 16
Mason Neville, OF, No. 23
Eli Pitts, OF, NR
Hector Rodriguez, OF, No. 6
Adolfo Sanchez, OF, No. 15
Kien Vu, OF, NR