Chicago Cubs Spring Breakout Prospect rosters announced

Triantos has been impressive this spring (Photo courtesy: Iowa Cubs)

Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - 3 hours ago

One of the new things Major League Baseball has created in recent years was the addition of the Spring Prospect breakout game. This game allows each team to showcase some of their best talent against another team doing the same. All 30 clubs get one game like this each season, but the Cubs have yet to experience something like this.

That is because last season's Spring Breakout game against the White Sox was ultimately rained out and was never rescheduled. Knowing that, the Cubs get the benefit of that and will not only have one Spring Breakout game, but they will have two Spring Breakout games with both of them taking place while the team is in Japan.

One of those games will happen before the Cubs' first exhibition game overseas, with the second one to follow just two days later, as the Dodgers (March 13) and Angels (March 15) will be Cubs opponents this season. It's unclear whether or not these games will be televised, but you have to think at least one of these three teams will want to pick one of these games up, so keep an eye out for that.

When it comes to the Cubs and their roster, it's a loaded roster filled with potential, as plenty of the players on this roster have already seen time this Spring. While that is a good thing, these games are their opportunity to shine and will show everyone what is still to come within the Cubs system. Whether you believe the Cubs Farm System is ranked No. 15 or not, the players who will be playing in this game are some of the top prospects in the system and the ones who have the best shot to make an impact in 2025 and beyond.

Starting with the pitchers participating, five names have been dropped with four being current starters in the Cubs system. It's unclear whether or not any relief pitchers will be added before the first game, but the names we know of are LHP Drew Gray, LHP Riley Martin, RHP Will Sanders, RHP Jaxon Wiggins, and RHP Cade Horton.

Martin is the intriguing name on this list, as he would be seen as a relief-only guy battling for a roster spot this season. You also have the hard-throwing Wiggins who has emerged as one of the Cubs best arms with Horton checking in as the Cubs top pitching prospect. Seeing Horton on this list has to be refreshing for every Cubs fan, as he has yet to pitch this Spring, and this could ultimately be the first time anyone sees him.

Moving to the catcher position, it shouldn't shock anyone to see Moises Ballesteros and Pablo Aliendo named to this list, as they are the top two catching prospects in the system. Ballesteros is the one that everyone has been talking about, as he is the closest to making it to the MLB due to his incredible bat. They will be joined by Ethan Hearn, Michael Carico, and Ariel Armas, as the bottom three are more of the low-level Minor League guys.

Although Jonathon Long is technically an infielder, he is listed as a utility player, which leads me to believe he will be the DH for these games. Of all the prospects on this list, Long and Ballesteros made the biggest strides last season, and he capped that off with a strong Arizona Fall League showing. He has continued to build off that this Spring and many fans are excited to see what comes next for the young righty.

The outfield will receive a lot of attention, but with neither Kevin Alcantara nor Owen Caissie on this list, there is that feeling of disappointment. Alcantara could be in Japan during this game while Caissie is recovering from an injury and will most likely be out when these occur. Had he been healthy, he would have played in this game, as he is arguably the top-hitting prospect, not named Matt Shaw.

Patrolling the outfield in these games will be Christian Franklin, who the Cubs have seen plenty of this Spring, and Ivan Brethowr, who has put together some impressive showings thus far. Felix Stevens has also landed a spot on this roster as he has returned home after playing for Team Spain in the World Baseball Classic Qualifying round.

That leaves us with the infield, which not only has the most players participating but also guys who don't have much experience on the professional side quite yet. Angel Cepeda, Ronny Cruz, Ty Southisene, and Yahil Melendez are the main names in that category, as they are not only talented players but also players who have yet to make an impact.

The next group of players is highlighted by James Triantos, who continues to impress in Mesa. Triantos is the closest MLB-ready player of the infield group, as he will be joined by Pedro Ramirez, BJ Murray Jr., and Cristian Hernandez, who is hoping to finally break out and look the part of the top prospect he once was.

The most intriguing name on the entire roster is INF Cole Mathis, who will finally debut with the Cubs. A second-rounder in the 2024 MLB draft, Mathis missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John but is still viewed as a top-10 guy in the Cubs system. That upside alone has plenty of people excited to see what he can do, and this will be their first opportunity to catch him in a Cubs uniform.