10 International Prospects to Watch in MLB’s 2024 Spring Breakout

Jackson Chourio of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates with teammates after scoring a run in the first inning during a spring training game against the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark on March 06, 2024 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Aaron Doster/Getty Images)

Major League Baseball’s inaugural Spring Breakout is a four-day event from March 14-17, showcasing all 30 organizations’ top prospects. The event, played at Grapefruit and Cactus League stadiums, will feature 16 exhibition games between MLB’s future stars.

The Spring Breakout team rosters include 70 of MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects, many from international countries such as the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. So, which Spring Breakout international prospects should viewers watch out for this weekend?

Here are the top 10 future global MLB stars participating in the inaugural MLB Spring Breakout.

10. Luisangel Acuna, SS, 2B, New York Mets (Venezuela)

Ronald Acuna Jr.’s younger brother was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and is the No. 66 ranked MLB prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.

The Mets acquired the middle infielder in the trade that sent starting pitcher Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers. Last year, he showed off his speed with Double-A Frisco and Double-A Binghamton, swiping 57 bags in 67 attempts. Acuna does not

possess the same power as his brother, hitting nine home runs in 121 games last year, and it remains to be seen if his full-time position will be at shortstop or second base.

Acuna projects to start the 2024 MiLB season with Triple-A Syracuse, and his services may be needed at the MLB level this season if Francisco Lindor or Jeff McNeil suffer injuries.

9. Edwin Arroyo, SS, Cincinnati Reds (Puerto Rico)

Arroyo was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and is the No. 67 ranked MLB prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.

Arroyo’s progression through the minor leagues may come to an abrupt halt due to current Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, but his speed and sharp glove at shortstop are hard to ignore. However, he did strike out 112 times compared to 48 walks in 119 games with High-A Dayton in 2023.

Arroyo projects to start the 2024 MiLB season with Double-A Chattanooga, with whom he played four brief games at the end of the 2023 minor league season.

8. Yu-Min Lin, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks (Taiwan)

Yu-Min Lin was born in Taitung, Taiwan, and is Arizona’s No. 4 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. However, MLB Pipeline does not currently rank him among the top 100 MLB prospects.

Lin, just 20 years old, showcased an exceptional five-pitch mix in 2023, striking out 140 in 121.1 innings between High-A Hillsboro and Double-A Amarillo. One concern is that his fastball sits in the low 90s, making the polish on his secondary pitches, which includes a changeup that drops off the table, much more critical.

Lin projects to start the 2024 MiLB season with Double-A Amarillo, where he had a 4.28 ERA and allowed 7.2 hits per nine in 11 starts last year.

7. Owen Caissie, OF, Chicago Cubs (Canada)

Caissie was born in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, and is the No. 47 ranked MLB prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.

Do you want power? You got power. Caissie hit 22 long balls with Double-A Tennessee in 2023, and the lefty hitter is only 21 years old. Despite his prominent ability to hit the ball out of the park, Caissie struck out 164 times in 120 games, so regularly making contact is a concern.

Caissie projects to start the 2024 MiLB season with Double-A Tennessee, but an excellent start to the year could quickly have him with Triple-A Iowa.

6. Tyler Black, 3B, 1B, Milwaukee Brewers (Canada)

Black was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and is the No. 46 ranked MLB prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.

Black led all Brewers minor leaguers with 12 triples and 55 stolen bases in 123 games between Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A Nashville last season. His below-average arm strength may place him at first base rather than third, but a first baseman with his speed is extremely rare.

Black projects to start the 2024 MiLB season with Triple-A Nashville and could make his MLB debut this season for the Brewers.

5. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Minnesota Twins (Dominican Republic)

Rodriguez was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic, and is the No. 42 ranked MLB prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.

The 21-year-old has dealt with knee and abdominal injuries the last two seasons but still managed to hit 16 home runs with 55 RBI and a .863 OPS in 99 games for High-A Cedar Rapids in 2023. His plus speed could allow him to play all three outfield positions if his injuries do not continue.

Rodriguez projects to start the 2024 MiLB season with Double-A Wichita, and the possibility that Byron Buxton may be a full-time designated hitter in the next few years could help Rodriguez have a clear path to MLB.

4. Jeferson Quero, C, Milwaukee Brewers (Venezuela)

Quero was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, and is the No. 35 ranked prospect in MLB, according to MLB Pipeline.

Though Quero is the Brewers’ No. 3 ranked prospect, he is not the highest-ranked prospect from Venezuela for the club. Still, he won the 2023 Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove Award for his defensive abilities as a catcher. He hit 16 home runs in 90 games last year for Double-A Biloxi, but it remains to be seen if that will be the norm.

Quero projects to start the 2024 MiLB season at Triple-A Nashville and could be the full-time backup to William Contreras in 2025.

3. Adael Amador, SS, 2B, Colorado Rockies (Dominican Republic)

Amador was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic, and according to MLB Pipeline, is the No. 28 ranked MLB prospect.

Amador lacks true power, instead using contact and speed to reach base. He played 10 games with Double-A Hartford last year and hit just .143 in 41 plate appearances, but hit .302 in 54 games with High-A Spokane before his promotion.

The switch-hitter and speedster projects to start the 2024 MiLB season with Double-A Hartford.

2. Samuel Basallo, C, Baltimore Orioles (Dominican Republic)

Basallo was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and is the No. 17 ranked prospect in MLB, according to MLB Pipeline.

Basallo is 19 and appeared in four games with Double-A Bowie in 2023. He hit .333 with eight home runs and 24 RBI in 27 games with High-A Aberdeen before his promotion. According to MLB Pipeline, MLB scouts worry about his defensive skills as a catcher, but he is too young to rule out future improvements.

Basallo projects to start the 2024 MiLB season with Double-A Bowie, an impressive feat for a player his age.

1. Jackson Chourio, OF, Milwaukee Brewers (Venezuela)

Chourio was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, and is the No. 2 ranked MLB prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.

Possessing impressive power and blazing speed, the Brewers signed Chourio to an eight-year extension worth $82 million, a record for a player with no MLB service time. However, elbow troubles in his throwing arm are a concern, so the Brewers may want him to start his MLB career in right field.

Chourio projects to start the 2024 MLB season with the Milwaukee Brewers, and he should be in the starting lineup nearly every day, barring injury.