LIVE: Dodgers-Angels Spring Breakout

March 17th, 2024

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The rivalry between the Angels and Dodgers was taken up a notch this offseason when superstar Shohei Ohtani made the switch from red to blue and signed a 10-year deal worth $700 million to leave Anaheim for Los Angeles.

But now there’s another wrinkle to the rivalry, as the two clubs are set to square off in Spring Breakout, a first of its kind exhibition featuring the top prospects in each farm system. The Angels will host the game on Saturday, March 16, at Tempe Diablo Stadium as the second game of a doubleheader that begins with a traditional Cactus League game against the Cubs.

Right-hander Caden Dana, ranked as the Angels' No. 3 prospect, is one of the headliners for the Halos and is ready for his first taste of the rivalry.

“I think it’s great,” Dana said. “I think it’s a chance to get your name out there. And we’re playing the Dodgers. So beat the Dodgers.”

The Dodgers counter with their No. 1 prospect, Dalton Rushing, who is also ranked as the No. 75 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline. Rushing is the latest top catching prospect for the Dodgers and he possesses plenty of pop and plate discipline. But he’s excited to show off some of the club’s top pitching prospects, including No. 16 prospect Justin Wrobleski.

"We're going to have a lot of guys throw in that game who aren’t even in big league camp and we have a few intriguing prospects from a pitching perspective,” Rushing said. “I’m excited to catch Wrobleski. I caught him a couple times last year and he’s as talented as can be. He’s a lefty who throws in the mid-to-upper 90s and it’s hard to find that.”

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 Dodgers-Angels game?

The Spring Breakout game will be Game 2 of a doubleheader, with Game 1 being a standard Spring Training game that starts at 1:10 p.m. PT. The estimated start time for the Spring Breakout game is 4:15 p.m. PT.

How can I tune in?

MLB Digital (MLB.TV, MLB.com, MLB App), Bally Sports West, ESPN+ and Gameday.

How can I buy tickets?

Tickets for the Dodgers-Angels game can be found here.

Which position player prospects are expected to play?

DODGERS

The Dodgers have Rushing in their lineup and he brings both power and patience. Rushing is one of several solid young catchers for the Dodgers, including No. 10 prospect Thayron Liranzo and No. 28 Yeiner Fernandez.

Outfielder Josue De Paula, the club’s No. 4 prospect, is plenty strong for an 18-year-old, as evidenced by his opposite-field homer earlier this spring on an inside fastball. De Paula is joined in the outfield by No. 12 prospect Kendall George and No. 21 prospect Zyhir Hope, who was acquired from the Cubs this offseason.

ANGELS

The Angels are led by center fielder Nelson Rada, their No. 2 prospect, who is a prototypical leadoff hitter and stolen-base threat who turned heads early in camp despite being just 18 years old.

No. 4 prospect Kyren Paris, who got his first taste of the Majors last year as a middle infielder and is on the 40-man roster, also brings plenty of contact and speed. He's joined in the middle infield by No. 7 prospect Denzer Guzman, while No. 8 prospect Dario Laverde is a rising catching prospect.

Which pitching prospects are expected to play?

DODGERS

Left-hander Jackson Ferris, who was acquired with the aforementioned Hope in the trade that sent Michael Busch and Yency Almonte to the Cubs, is the headliner for the Dodgers and is the club’s No. 8 prospect. Ferris, 20, is coming off a strong first professional season and has drawn comparisons to Blake Snell.

The 6-foot-4 southpaw is joined by fellow lefties in Wrobleski and No. 17 prospect Ronan Kopp. Wrobleski, 23, profiles more as a starting pitcher, while Kopp, 21, has big stuff and can miss bats but has yet to go more than four innings in a start. Full roster can be found here.

ANGELS

Dana highlights the Angels’ pitching staff and has fared well in his first taste of Major League camp despite being just 20 years old. Dana, who resembles Noah Syndergaard in looks and stature, is one of nine pitchers ranked among the club's Top 30 on the roster, which also includes No. 6 prospect Barrett Kent, No. 10 prospect Jack Kochanowicz and No. 13 prospect Walbert Urena.

Kent, 19, was drafted just last year and looks the part of a future rotation member, while Kochanowicz, 23, is on the 40-man roster and Urena, 20, pitched in big league camp for the first time this year. Full roster can be found here.

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.

It’s a reason why Angels No. 1 prospect Nolan Schanuel and No. 5 prospect Ben Joyce aren’t participating in the event. Schanuel is the club’s starting first baseman and Joyce is competing for a spot in the bullpen this spring. Dodgers No. 2 prospect Nick Frasso is also out after the right-handed pitcher underwent shoulder surgery in November, while No. 3 prospect Andy Pages is an outfielder competing for a roster spot in Major League camp.