Previewing the Mets' Spring Breakout Game

Of all the things that MLB has done over the last decade to "grow the game," one of my favorites has been the addition of the Spring Breakout game. Where all 30 teams get a game dedicated to show off their top MiLB talent. The Mets will be playing the Rays' top prospects on Thursday, March 19th. Let's break down the roster and which top prospects are worth tuning in for.

Position Players:

INF A.J Ewing:

Perhaps no Met prospect had a better Spring Training in MLB camp than A.J Ewing. The 21-year-old infielder made the most of his opportunity, batting .381 in ten games. He had three doubles, a home run, six RBIs, and three walks. That totaled up to a 1.090 OPS. Ewing was demoted to Minor League camp over the weekend, but we might be seeing him again in a Met uniform this year, and this time, in Queens. He is the crown jewel and top Met prospect (No. 4) participating in the Spring Breakout game.

1B Ryan Clifford:

After hitting 29 MiLB home runs in 2025, Ryan Clifford supplies the power for this Met Breakout lineup. He struggled over his Spring Training season, going just 2-for-20 with two RBIs and three walks. The spring breakout game will be a perfect opportunity for some redemption for Clifford before the MiLB season begins. 

3B Jacob Reimer: 

One of 2025's biggest breakout prospects for the Mets will now play in the Breakout game. Jacob Reimer rocketed from the bottom of the Mets prospect list all the way to number six to start 2026. Reimer brings power and contact to the Breakout game and will man the hot corner. He posted an OPS of .804 during his stint in MLB Spring Training.

SS Elian Pena: 

For many, this will be the first time we get to watch Elian Peña outside of the few DSL highlights we saw of him from last summer. The Mets' top International free agent signing in 2025, the 18-year-old out of the Dominican Republic, will have his chance to impress fans and Mets' Executives alike on Thursday.

Peña posted an OPS of .949 during his DSL season last year, and mashed nine home runs, swiped 21 bases, and drove in 33 runs. So far, he's living up to the hype, and now, we'll get to see how he shines on what is, to date, his biggest stage.

Pitchers:

RHP Jack Wenninger: 

The best Met pitching prospect in this game, by ranking, is Jack Wenninger (No. 7), with Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong not participating in this year's breakout game. Wenninger has had a fine spring leading up to this game. In 6.2 innings, he had an ERA of 2.70 with ten strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.95.

That's coming off a successful 2025 campaign in Double-A, where he pitched to the tune of a 2.92 ERA in 26 starts with Binghamton, totaling 147 strikeouts and walking just 42 batters. We'll likely be seeing more of Wenninger late this season, and a bit further north than St. Lucie.

RHP Will Watson: 

Another Met pitching prospect that turned heads in 2025 was Will Watson. The Mets' seventh-round draft pick in 2024, Watson put up a 2.60 ERA across three MiLB levels, ending his 2025 season with Double-A Binghamton. He spent the most time in High-A Brooklyn, where in 63 innings of work, he turned in a 1.70 ERA with 77 strikeouts. 

Now ranked as the Mets' number 11 prospect, Watson will have his chance to shine in the Breakout game before likely starting his 2026 season with Double-A Binghamton.

LHP Jonathan Santucci: 

Met fans will get a look at their second-round draft pick from 2024 when Santucci takes the mound in the Breakout game. He's moved up the ranks of Met prospects to number ten. Between him, Wenninger, and Watson, the Mets hope their next wave of young pitching talent is right behind McLean and Tong. 

During his first professional season in 2025, Santucci was the most dominant once he got promoted to Double-A Binghamton. In ten starts and 50 innings of work, Santucci had a 4-0 record, with a 2.52 ERA, 63 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.020. 

Other Prospects Worth Watching:

Keep an eye out for lower-level prospects like Mitch Voit (No. 8) , the Mets first round pick in 2025, outfielder Randy Guzman (No. 25), who burst onto the scene last summer with a strong Low-A stint to end his season. Other pitchers to watch out for are relievers Dylan Ross (No. 19) and Ryan Lambert (No. 18).