With some of the Yankees’ best prospects playing their Orioles counterparts in the second-annual Spring Breakout game on Saturday, the Daily News once again asked members of the Bombers organization which under-the-radar farmhands they’re most excited to see in the showcase event.
MLB debuted the Spring Breakout game in 2024 to highlight up-and-coming talent. Last year, Spencer Jones, Will Warren and Chase Hampton headlined the Yankees’ Breakout roster, but they had already been covered plenty in spring training. So Yankees personnel were instructed not to pick them for the 2024 edition of this survey.
Jones, coming off a strikeout-heavy 2024 campaign, was excluded again this year. So was George Lombard Jr., who turned plenty of heads during his first invite to big league camp this spring.
That left 21 other prospects for Yankees coaches and front office members to pick from this year.
The Yankees 2025 Spring Breakout roster has just dropped, including the likes of George Lombard Jr., Spencer Jones, and Roderick Arias!#Yankees pic.twitter.com/DqIOAxJ8wb
— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) March 6, 2025
“[Eric] Reyzelman is someone I am intrigued with,” vice president of baseball operations Tim Naehring said. “Power fastball that reaches the upper 90s with life at the top of the zone. Sweeping-type breaking ball and feel for a change. I like the way he competes.”
Naehring’s answer was a popular one, as no farmhand was mentioned more than Reyzelman.
Considered the Yankees’ 23rd-best prospect by MLB.com, Reyzelman appeared in some headlines earlier this spring when a peanut-related allergic reaction sent him to the hospital. But, as Naehring mentioned, the righty has also garnered attention for a heater that helped him strike out 63 batters over 38.2 innings between Rookie ball, High-A and Double-A — the highest level Reyzelman has reached — last season. He posted a 1.16 ERA while doing so.
“He’s had a very impressive camp following a terrific season last year,” said Adam Charnin-Aker, assistant director of pro scouting. “Power fastball and high-spin slider, both of which show real promise of being successful big league pitches and should continue to miss bats. I’m excited to see him showcase his stuff in the Breakout game, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the Bronx sooner rather than later.”
Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake agreed.
“Reyzelman would be the closest to helping us,” he said.
Enjoy 21 seconds of @ReyzEric filth.
– fastball averages 96 mph (T-98.4)
– Slider gets 20 inches of HB and and -2.4″ iVB
– Changeup gets 13″ HB and -0.1″ iVB.Hop on the Eric Reyzelman train before it’s too late. pic.twitter.com/zVEnt9X25V
— Post Parm Volpe (@VolpeParm11) March 6, 2025
While the Yankees think Reyzelman could make an impact in the near future, he was not the only name mentioned in this survey. Nor was he the only repeat answer.
Below are a few more responses.
Casey Dykes, assistant hitting coach: OF Brendan Jones and C Edgleen Perez
What’s to like: “They both control the zone and have really good bat-to-ball skills, which already gives them a high floor. More power is coming with both of them. They’re good athletes and have a really mature attitude and feel for the game from what I’ve seen. All-around impressive players who have an infectious energy to them as people.”
Highest level/rank: Jones: High-A/NA | Perez: Rookie/No. 13
Mike Fransoso, Double-A hitting coach: OF Brendan Jones
What’s to like: “I’m excited to watch Brendan Jones this year. He’s an exciting offensive player. He has a real feel for his barrel, makes a ton of contact and can really fly on the bases. Just a gritty ballplayer and puts together quality at-bats. It will be exciting to watch him in his first full season of pro ball.”
[RELATED: How ‘JUCO bandit’ went from detailing cars to rising prospect]
Peter Larson, Double-A pitching coach: A handful of 2024, right-handed pitching picks
What’s to like: “The draft arms in Ben Hess, Bryce Cunningham, Gage Ziehl and Greysen Carter are the ones to watch since they still haven’t thrown a professional inning yet. The breakout game will be an awesome experience leading into their first seasons.”
Highest level/rank: Hess: Division I (Alabama)/No. 4 | Cunningham: Division I (Vanderbilt)/No. 6 | Ziehl: Division I (Miami)/No. 18 | Carter: Division I (Vanderbilt)/NA
Damon Oppenheimer, vice president of domestic amateur scouting: RHP Ben Hess
What’s to like: “I saw him as an amateur with four major league pitches that all projected to be in the plus range. He has improved in all aspects with his work ethic and the help of our pitching department since signing. He’s had a few electric moments in camp so far vs. good hitters, so it will be nice to see him compete vs. a different color jersey.”
Jarret DeHart, director of hitting: C/UTL Jesus Rodriguez
What’s to like: “Everything about J-Rod screams ‘hitterish.’ Bat-to-ball skill is a difficult thing to teach or improve, and he has it in spades. He can spray line drives all over the field, but he’s also shown the ability to impact the baseball. Seeing that from the catcher position, plus some additional positional versatility, makes him a very intriguing player.”
Highest level/rank: Double-A/NA
Jake Hirst, minor league hitting coordinator: 1B T.J. Rumfield
What’s to like: “T.J.’s innate bat-to-ball skill, combined with his ability to produce power to the pull-side, provides him options at the plate. His self-awareness and ability to deploy multiple strategies depending on the situation took a big step forward in the second half of 2024. Whether it’s early in the count taking his shots, or late in the count shortening up to fight off pitches, T.J. has shown consistent growth and an ability to respond to varying demands at each level.”
Highest level/rank: Triple-A/NA
