LIVE: Astros-Cardinals Spring Breakout
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On Sunday, March 17, the Astros will travel to Jupiter, Fla., to face the Cardinals for the Spring Breakout, a first-of-its-kind exhibition featuring the top prospects in each farm system.
The Astros don’t have a player ranked in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects, but the club remains bullish on its prospect quality and depth. The Cardinals will play two Spring Breakout games and split players between the rosters of those games.
Here’s everything to know about that game and this exciting new event.
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 composed of each MLB organization’s top prospects, creating a new touchpoint on the baseball calendar that celebrates our sport’s budding talent.
What time is the Astros-Cardinals game?
The Spring Breakout game will be Game 1 of a doubleheader between the teams, with Game 2 being a standard Spring Training game that is estimated to start at 12:05 p.m. CT. The slated start time for the Spring Breakout game is 9:05 a.m. CT.
How can I tune in?
MLB Digital (MLB.TV, MLB.com, MLB App), Astros radio and Gameday.
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Which position player prospects are expected to play?
ASTROS
The headliners are No. 1 prospect Jacob Melton, an outfielder who was recently reassigned to Minor League camp, and shortstop Brice Matthews (No. 4), the club’s first-round Draft pick last year. Joey Loperfido (No. 6), the Astros’ Minor League Player of the Year in 2023, will also play. Other names to watch are outfielders Luis Baez (No. 2) and Kenedy Corona (No. 12) and infielders Zach Dezenzo (No. 5) and Will Wagner (No. 15). The full roster is here.
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CARDINALS
The Cardinals’ fastest player and their fastest-rising prospect, center fielder Victor Scott II, is slated to appear in Spring Breakout. He’s the fourth-ranked prospect in the Cardinals’ system. Other position players ranked in the Top 10 who are on the roster are outfielders Chase Davis (No. 6) and Won-Bin Cho (No. 10), infielder Thomas Saggesse (No. 5) and catcher Leonardo Bernal (No. 8). The full roster is here.
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Which pitching prospects are expected to play?
ASTROS
Right-hander Spencer Arrighetti, ranked No. 3 in the Astros’ system by MLB Pipeline, has impressed at Major League camp and is one of three Top 10-ranked pitchers on the roster, joining A.J. Blubaugh (No. 8) and Jose Fleury (No. 9). Arrighetti was named the Astros’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2023 after going 9-7 with a 4.40 ERA in 28 games, including 21 starts between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land.
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CARDINALS
Right-hander Tekoah Roby, ranked No. 3 in the Cardinals’ system and No. 99 overall, headlines the pitchers selected to play for St. Louis. Among those he’ll share the mound with are left-hander Cooper Hjerpe (No. 7) and right-handers Max Rajcic (No. 14), Adam Kloffenstein (No. 17) and Zack Showalter (No. 18).
Why are certain top prospects not listed on the rosters?
If you don’t see a top prospect on your favorite team’s roster, it is likely because they fall into one of two categories. They are either still in big league camp and battling for a roster spot, or the player is injured or has an injury concern.
The Cardinals are one of two teams playing two Spring Breakout games and they created two rosters for the two games. Also, the Cardinals are one of just five organizations that made all of their top 10-ranked players, per MLB Pipeline, available for the Spring Breakout games.