The MLB Spring Breakout game will return from March 13-16 at Grapefruit and Cactus League stadiums. The contest, which includes the best prospects in the league, debuted a year ago during spring training. The Philadelphia Phillies have a few young players in the event who fans are keen on seeing develop further in 2025.
Shortstop Aidan Miller and outfielder Justin Crawford, two of the Phillies' top prospects, were recently cut from the club's spring training roster. Neither was expected to make the Opening Day roster this year. Both will participate in the Spring Breakout contest versus the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 14. But which noteworthy prospect will not be available for the game?
Andrew Painter will not join the other Phillies prospects in the MLB Spring Breakout game
Andrew Painter, Philadelphia's No. 1-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, will not be available. According to MLB.com insider Todd Zolecki, the right-hander is not expected to pitch in game situations until extended spring training.
Painter has thrown bullpen situations this spring at Clearwater. However, he missed two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2023. Mick Abel, another Phillies pitching prospect, will also not be available for the Spring Breakout game at BayCare Ballpark.
There will be other notable players in the Phillies' farm system that will join Miller and Crawford in the upcoming contest. Fourth-ranked prospect catcher Eduardo Tait, and pitchers Moisés Chace and Jean Cabrera, are all on the roster.
Philadelphia acquired Chace and pitcher Seth Johnson in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles for reliever Gregory Soto at last year's trade deadline. Expectations are high for the Phillies' fifth-ranked prospect in 2025.
Outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. has arguably been the most impressive non-roster invitee at spring training for Philly. The 10th-ranked prospect has three home runs and seven RBI in nine contests. He has an impressive slugging percentage (SLG) of .813 and a 1.181 OPS. He will be available to play in the Spring Breakout game. If he continues to excel this year in the minors, he may debut during the regular season with the Phillies if they have an opening in the outfield.
Painter impressed retired pitcher and former Phillie Cole Hamels this spring. The organization is taking a wise, conservative approach in working the right-hander back to pitching in live games. The Pompano Beach, Florida, native received the Arizona Fall League Pitcher of the Year award in 2024.
According to Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Painter allowed four runs with 18 strikeouts in six starts, and his fastball reached 99 mph. This was the first time he pitched against hitters in over two years. He is on track to make his major league debut with Philadelphia this summer.
The Spring Breakout contest will allow Phillies fans to watch top prospects Miller, Crawford, Tait, Chace, and Rincones Jr. There is a good chance many of these players will be promoted to the majors over the next two to three years. Despite his lack of inclusion in this event, Painter's debut with Philadelphia this summer remains one of the organization's most anticipated storylines in 2025.