Last season, Major League Baseball started a new “event” during Spring Training where teams would put their respective top prospects regardless of level on a team to play another club. What MLB called it was MLB Spring Breakout.
This was a way to showcase the top talent from across the league to show what the future may hold. It is a way to get more players involved than the MLB Futures Game which is part of the All Star festivities.
It was such a success that MLB has brought it back for another year and it looks like it is here to stay.
Several players from the Sooner State are on these rosters and have a good chance to get some game action.
Let’s take a look.
Chicago Cubs
- Cade Horton, Norman High ’20/University of Oklahoma ’21-’22
- Jaxon Wiggins, Roland High School ’20
Horton is the Cubs’ top pitching prospect and #2 overall prospect. He comes in at #51 overall MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 to start the 2025 season. After a huge 2023 campaign that drew everyone’s attention, Horton was hampered by injuries in 2024 and didn’t pitch after May. He has had a good Spring Training with the Cubs, but was sent back to Minor League camp this weekend in an expected move. Cubs’ Manager, Craig Counsell, said that the goal is for Horton to be called up sometime this season.
Wiggins is an intriguing prospect for the Cubs. Taken in the supplemental 1st round of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Roland native was actually out with Tommy John surgery at the time and didn’t pitch at all in 2023. Wiggins pitched in 2024 and reached to High-A. He has a nasty mix of pitches with his fastball sitting in the upper 90s and reaches 100 at time. His is currently ranked as the #9 overall Cubs prospect (#3 pitcher) and if he can gain better control, his stock will rise even more.
The Cubs play the Dodgers on Thursday, March 13 and the Angels on Saturday, March 15
Seattle Mariners
- Brock Rodden, Oktaha HS ’19/Seminole State ’20-’21
Rodden has done nothing but impress since being drafted out of Wichita State in 2023. He has steadily worked his way up the system reaching AA in the middle of 2024. He was so impressive in the field last season, Rodden was named the Gold Glove winner for 2B in all of MiLB.
The Mariners play the Guardians on Friday, March 14.
Boston Red Sox
- David Sandlin, Owasso HS ’19/Eastern ’20-’21/OU ’22
- Payton Tolle, Bethany HS ’21
- Zach Ehrhard, Oklahoma State ’24
Sandlin has made a meteoric rise in the farm system the last 2 years. After being drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 2022, Sandlin was traded to the Red Sox before the 2023 season. He has had some injury troubles, but it seems he has overcome them as he pitched on a regular basis in the last half of 2024. His fastball sitting in the mid 90s, Sandlin has struck out 33% of the hitters he has faced in his first 2 pro seasons. He is the Red Sox #9 overall prospect.
After pitching only last season for TCU (he transferred from Wichita State), Tolle was drafted in the 2nd round of the MLB Draft by the Red Sox. He was the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year in 2024 and struck out over 100 batters in 69 innings.
While he may not be ranked in the top 30 of the Red Sox prospects, Zach Ehrhard must still be thought of highly in that organization. The outfielder was drafted in the 4th round of the 2024 MLB Draft.
The Red Sox play the Rays on Thursday, March 13
Tampa Bay Rays
- Trevor Martin, Asher High School ’20/ Oklahoma State ’21-’22
While he may technically not be ranked in Rays, it is safe to say he is still highly thought of in their system. Martin was drafted in the 3rd round by Tampa Bay in 2022 and has made his way to AA this past season.
The Rays play the Red Sox on Thursday, March 13
St Louis Cardinals
- Jimmy Crooks, Oklahoma ’22
- Dakota Harris, Oklahoma ’23
Crooks has done nothing but impress in his time in pro ball. A 4th round pick in 2022, Crooks’ stock has risen steadily these last 2 years. Crooks is now the #4 overall Cardinals prospect per MLB Pipeline and he was named the Texas League Player of the Year in AA. Crooks is predicted to make his MLB debut this season.
Harris had an impressive first full season in pro ball last year with an OPS of .724 which is impressive for a short stop. He reached AA, Springfield in July and stayed there.
The Cardinals play the Marlins on Friday, March 14
Miami Marlins
- Dax Fulton, Mustang High School, ’20
Coming out of high school in 2020, Fulton was considered the top left handed pitcher even though he had Tommy John surgery the fall prior. The Marlins drafted him in the 2nd round and Fulton was making steady progress until he had to have another TJ surgery in early 2023. Fulton is still highly thought of as he has had 2 appearances for the Marlins in Spring Training this year throwing 3 innings with 0 hits and 2 Ks on 31 pitches. He is the Marlins #14 overall prospect.
The Marlins play the Cardinals on Friday, March 14
Toronto Blue Jays
- Juaron Watts-Brown, Oklahoma State ’23
- Jace Bohrofen, Westmoore HS ’20/OU ’21
Watts-Brown did not pitch in 2023 after being drafted in the 3rd round by the Blue Jays. As Toronto’s #17 prospect, Watts-Brown had an up and down season in 2024 between A and AA. He had a 4-11 record with an ERA of 4.72, but in 103 IP, Watts-Juaron gave up only 87 hits with striking out 131 batters against only 60 walks.
Bohrofen was part of the the outstanding 2020 class from Oklahoma. After a year at OU, he transferred to Arkansas where he played 2 years before being drafted in the 6th round in 2023. Bohrofen turned heads in the latter half of 2024 as he was one of the hottest hitters in the Blue Jays system finishing with an OPS of .796.
The Blue Jays play the Twins on Saturday, March 15
New York Mets
- Ryan Lambert, Oklahoma ’24
- Carson Benge, Yukon HS ’21/Oklahoma State ’22-’24
Lambert parlayed his lone season in Norman into an 8th round selection by the Mets. Lambert saw 3 innings of work in 2 appearances last season. There is word around the Mets organization they are pleasantly surprised at his velo and control.
Benge was the highest Oklahoma taken in the draft last year as he went in the 1st round to the Mets. Benge will focus on the outfield only as he was a 2-way player at OSU. Benge is the #3 overall prospect for the Mets and comes in at #100 overall for entire league.
The Mets play the Nationals on Sunday, March 16
*Header via mlb.com
Do you like the content that Sooner State Baseball Report provides? Show your support by purchasing an official SSBR shirt or hoodie at our online store at the link below.
Official Sooner State Baseball Report Merch
Like this content? Don’t miss any posts. Enter your email in the box below and have Sooner State Baseball Report content delivered right to your inbox.
Sooner State Baseball Report 
Leave a comment