Eli Willits, JJ Wetherholt and more take the field as the top prospects from the Nationals and Cardinals face off at Spring Breakout
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The spring breakout series continues on MLB Network.
The spring breakout series continues on MLB Network.
You’re gonna get a chance to watch the Washington Nationals prospects square off against the prospects of the St. Louis Cardinals.
You’re gonna get a chance to watch the Washington Nationals prospects square off against the prospects of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Prepare for electricity, prepare for fire, prepare for whatever word you want to use in terms of Liam Doyle.
Prepare for electricity, prepare for fire, prepare for whatever word you want to use in terms of Liam Doyle.
Coming out of Tennessee last year, it was a plus-plus fastball for him.
Coming out of Tennessee last year, it was a plus-plus fastball for him.
He was touching 100, 95 to 97, but it’s got really explosive ride up there.
He was touching 100, 95 to 97, but it’s got really explosive ride up there.
The thing for the Cardinals is they have to figure out the secondaries.
The thing for the Cardinals is they have to figure out the secondaries.
Eli Willis will be leading things off.
Eli Willis will be leading things off.
All eyes on that young man right there, an 18-year-old, Eli Willis.
All eyes on that young man right there, an 18-year-old, Eli Willis.
And then he draws a walk to lead this ball game off, which is what he did in his first taste of professional baseball at the age of 17, may I remind you.
And then he draws a walk to lead this ball game off, which is what he did in his first taste of professional baseball at the age of 17, may I remind you.
He had an on-base percentage over 390.
He had an on-base percentage over 390.
Here is Gavin Feen.
Here is Gavin Feen.
You see his numbers last year in just 10 games.
You see his numbers last year in just 10 games.
Eli Willis on the run, and he’s going to swipe the bag.
Eli Willis on the run, and he’s going to swipe the bag.
Ooh.
Ooh.
Willis showcasing many of his skills.
Willis showcasing many of his skills.
Testing Roniel Rodriguez, a top 100 prospect himself behind the plate.
Testing Roniel Rodriguez, a top 100 prospect himself behind the plate.
Gavin Feen, another one.
Gavin Feen, another one.
He came over from the Texas Rangers in the Mackenzie Gore trade in the off-season.
He came over from the Texas Rangers in the Mackenzie Gore trade in the off-season.
He was the 12th overall pick.
He was the 12th overall pick.
This is a rocket into the corner, and the Washington Nationals are gonna take an early one-nothing lead.
This is a rocket into the corner, and the Washington Nationals are gonna take an early one-nothing lead.
Feen into second, RBI double, and Liam Doyle watches the lead-off man walk, steal a bag, and then drive it in with a double from Feen.
Feen into second, RBI double, and Liam Doyle watches the lead-off man walk, steal a bag, and then drive it in with a double from Feen.
The exit velocity on that, 107.1 miles per hour.
The exit velocity on that, 107.1 miles per hour.
Liam Doyle looking for a punch out here.
Liam Doyle looking for a punch out here.
Runner at third base and no one out.
Runner at third base and no one out.
And there is the first Oh, they’re gonna challenge the call, so I tell you, Seaver King, watch Rodriguez challenge the call.
And there is the first Oh, they’re gonna challenge the call, so I tell you, Seaver King, watch Rodriguez challenge the call.
And the ABS challenge, we shall see if Seaver King is right.
And the ABS challenge, we shall see if Seaver King is right.
And he’ll draw a walk.
And he’ll draw a walk.
He is wrong.
He is wrong.
It was a good call.
It was a good call.
Caught the corner, and Doyle gets his first strike out of the ball game.
Caught the corner, and Doyle gets his first strike out of the ball game.
A free pass to Andrew Pinckney, his second walk in the first inning.
A free pass to Andrew Pinckney, his second walk in the first inning.
a pitching change already.
a pitching change already.
Liam Doyle, his afternoon is done.
Liam Doyle, his afternoon is done.
Just a third of an inning.
Just a third of an inning.
New pitcher is Tyler Bratt.
New pitcher is Tyler Bratt.
Liam Doyle removed from the game, but it’s interesting to point out, Sam Dykstra, that he can reenter this game.
Liam Doyle removed from the game, but it’s interesting to point out, Sam Dykstra, that he can reenter this game.
Another base steal attempt.
Another base steal attempt.
Oh, my.
Oh, my.
This time Rodriguez guns him down.
This time Rodriguez guns him down.
Pinckney thrown out at second base for the second out of the inning.
Pinckney thrown out at second base for the second out of the inning.
Pinckney would’ve been the guy I would’ve picked to try to steal a bag here in the first inning, so kudos to Rodriguez for making the adjustment.
Pinckney would’ve been the guy I would’ve picked to try to steal a bag here in the first inning, so kudos to Rodriguez for making the adjustment.
Nice throw here to the first base side of the bag, leading J.J. Weatherholt right into Pinckney’s path.
Nice throw here to the first base side of the bag, leading J.J. Weatherholt right into Pinckney’s path.
Davien Garcia, 6’2″ right-hander, former sixth rounder in 2024 out of Florida Gulf Coast University, on the mound for the Nats.
Davien Garcia, 6’2″ right-hander, former sixth rounder in 2024 out of Florida Gulf Coast University, on the mound for the Nats.
Here is J.J. Weatherholt.
Here is J.J. Weatherholt.
Up there, swinging the bat.
Up there, swinging the bat.
Drives one to right, and that’s gonna be a knock.
Drives one to right, and that’s gonna be a knock.
Weatherholt didn’t take long, and Pete’s gonna get to third.
Weatherholt didn’t take long, and Pete’s gonna get to third.
I think one of the defining characteristics of J.J. Weatherholt this spring is that he hasn’t been somebody who’s been swinging a lot, right?
I think one of the defining characteristics of J.J. Weatherholt this spring is that he hasn’t been somebody who’s been swinging a lot, right?
He’s been willing to take his walks, which is not something you always see from a young player.
He’s been willing to take his walks, which is not something you always see from a young player.
In the blink of an eye, bases loaded, no one out for the Cardinals.
In the blink of an eye, bases loaded, no one out for the Cardinals.
98 miles an hour, and Garcia gets his first out of this ball game.
98 miles an hour, and Garcia gets his first out of this ball game.
Davien Garcia, who’s got a lot of helium right now, right?
Davien Garcia, who’s got a lot of helium right now, right?
He does, yeah.
He does, yeah.
He’s somebody the Nats have talked up a lot and, and one thing that’s come up a lot is, with all of their pitchers, but they’re trying to add velocity.
He’s somebody the Nats have talked up a lot and, and one thing that’s come up a lot is, with all of their pitchers, but they’re trying to add velocity.
They’re trying to get these guys in a good place to blow pitches by batters.
They’re trying to get these guys in a good place to blow pitches by batters.
He punches out a terrific poor seamer at 97, and just like that, Davien Garcia is one out away from getting out of a bases loaded, no one out jam.
He punches out a terrific poor seamer at 97, and just like that, Davien Garcia is one out away from getting out of a bases loaded, no one out jam.
1-2 pitch, and give Davien Garcia a ton of credit as the wind carries this, and Willis puts it away.
1-2 pitch, and give Davien Garcia a ton of credit as the wind carries this, and Willis puts it away.
Bases loaded, no one out, the Cardinals unable to push one across.
Bases loaded, no one out, the Cardinals unable to push one across.
Liam Doyle again.
Liam Doyle again.
He can reenter this game.
He can reenter this game.
Yeah, even though he came out after 25 pitches in the first inning, they have brought him back.
Yeah, even though he came out after 25 pitches in the first inning, they have brought him back.
And Liam Doyle showcasing why he’s the Cardinals top pitching prospect.
And Liam Doyle showcasing why he’s the Cardinals top pitching prospect.
They hear back-to-back fastballs, and Caleb Lomavita down swinging.
They hear back-to-back fastballs, and Caleb Lomavita down swinging.
A slider gets back-to-back punch-outs for Doyle, so one out away from keeping this a one-run deficit, and he walks him for the second time in this game.
A slider gets back-to-back punch-outs for Doyle, so one out away from keeping this a one-run deficit, and he walks him for the second time in this game.
Very impressed with Eli Willis.
Very impressed with Eli Willis.
They are throwing a party right now in West Palm Beach, let me tell you, and in Washington.
They are throwing a party right now in West Palm Beach, let me tell you, and in Washington.
And because this is a spring training game with a young pitcher on the mound, once again, we have a pitching change.
And because this is a spring training game with a young pitcher on the mound, once again, we have a pitching change.
Bases loaded, two outs.
Bases loaded, two outs.
Gavin Feen first time up, RBI double.
Gavin Feen first time up, RBI double.
Feen shoots this one into the gap, and it’s going to get down.
Feen shoots this one into the gap, and it’s going to get down.
This might clear the bases.
This might clear the bases.
Gavin Feen off and running, driving in four, and we’re not done with the second inning.
Gavin Feen off and running, driving in four, and we’re not done with the second inning.
Four RBI day, and we’re in the top of the second.
Four RBI day, and we’re in the top of the second.
Gavin Feen putting on a show in this breakout game.
Gavin Feen putting on a show in this breakout game.
Gavin Feen, welcome to the Washington Nationals organization.
Gavin Feen, welcome to the Washington Nationals organization.
This is what he was brought here to do.
This is what he was brought here to do.
All three runners come home.
All three runners come home.
Miguel Sime Jr., a 6’4″, 235 pound 18-year-old.
Miguel Sime Jr., a 6’4″, 235 pound 18-year-old.
A physical specimen.
A physical specimen.
This is a base hit right back up the middle, so a good start.
This is a base hit right back up the middle, so a good start.
99 turned around, and the St. Louis Cardinals off and running here in the bottom of the second.
99 turned around, and the St. Louis Cardinals off and running here in the bottom of the second.
So back to the top of the order.
So back to the top of the order.
Here is Tye Peete with one out, two aboard in this off-season.
Here is Tye Peete with one out, two aboard in this off-season.
This ground ball to second, and this ball is not able to be handled by Willis, the short.
This ground ball to second, and this ball is not able to be handled by Willis, the short.
It’s gonna lead to a run.
It’s gonna lead to a run.
The Cardinals are on the board.
The Cardinals are on the board.
So J.J. Weatherholt at the plate.
So J.J. Weatherholt at the plate.
3-2 pitch, and he blows away J.J. Weatherholt.
3-2 pitch, and he blows away J.J. Weatherholt.
Wow, 101 miles an hour.
Wow, 101 miles an hour.
They’re gonna be showing that pitch.
They’re gonna be showing that pitch.
Sime with flamethrower.
Sime with flamethrower.
Looks like he’s got a big league body right now.
Looks like he’s got a big league body right now.
It’s fun to imagine what he can do when he gets to 26, 27.
It’s fun to imagine what he can do when he gets to 26, 27.
Now Franklin going up against Willis, who for the first time today gets to bat from the left side, which is, I don’t want to say preferred side, but his better side so far this spring.
Now Franklin going up against Willis, who for the first time today gets to bat from the left side, which is, I don’t want to say preferred side, but his better side so far this spring.
Franklin blowing away Eli Willis.
Franklin blowing away Eli Willis.
100 miles an hour.
100 miles an hour.
Top of the fifth.
Top of the fifth.
The 2-2 pitch.
The 2-2 pitch.
That’s a base hit.
That’s a base hit.
King up the middle, and he reaches.
King up the middle, and he reaches.
Turns around 99 from Franklin.
Turns around 99 from Franklin.
Not easy to do by any means there for Seaver King.
Not easy to do by any means there for Seaver King.
Tanner Franklin, a Q shot base hit to right.
Tanner Franklin, a Q shot base hit to right.
Pinckney comes through, second time he’s reached in this ball game.
Pinckney comes through, second time he’s reached in this ball game.
So Ronnie Cruz, third baseman for the Nationals, looking for a two-out knock.This is sent to right field.
So Ronnie Cruz, third baseman for the Nationals, looking for a two-out knock.This is sent to right field.
Baez trying to track it down, and he will.
Baez trying to track it down, and he will.
Nice play from Joshua Baez, and Tanner Franklin strands two.
Nice play from Joshua Baez, and Tanner Franklin strands two.
JJ Weatherholt, the number one prospect in the Cardinals farm system.
JJ Weatherholt, the number one prospect in the Cardinals farm system.
We know that partnership between him and Mason Wynn can be really special, and that’s the JJ Weatherholt we’ve seen since he was drafted.
We know that partnership between him and Mason Wynn can be really special, and that’s the JJ Weatherholt we’ve seen since he was drafted.
So Joshua Baez is 22 years old, 6’3″, right-handed bat.
So Joshua Baez is 22 years old, 6’3″, right-handed bat.
And this ball is sent to left.
And this ball is sent to left.
Baez goes deep.
Baez goes deep.
A two-run shot from Joshua Baez, and the Birds are just down one.
A two-run shot from Joshua Baez, and the Birds are just down one.
That is the Joshua Baez that we saw across minor league baseball in 2025.
That is the Joshua Baez that we saw across minor league baseball in 2025.
What an absolute blast.
What an absolute blast.
The power has always been there in his profile.
The power has always been there in his profile.
First and second with two outs.
First and second with two outs.
Gavin Feen up next.
Gavin Feen up next.
With that power potential for him, you can see why he was a top 15 pick in the draft.
With that power potential for him, you can see why he was a top 15 pick in the draft.
You can see why the Nationals saw him as the shining star of that Mackenzie Gore trade.
You can see why the Nationals saw him as the shining star of that Mackenzie Gore trade.
His third hit of the ball game, and it’s gonna drive in potentially his fifth run it will.
His third hit of the ball game, and it’s gonna drive in potentially his fifth run it will.
Gavin Feen with three hits and five RBIs in the spring breakout contest.
Gavin Feen with three hits and five RBIs in the spring breakout contest.
And I love that it was a different type of hit, too.
And I love that it was a different type of hit, too.
Like, he’s, he’s spreading it around, right?
Like, he’s, he’s spreading it around, right?
He’s turned around velocity.
He’s turned around velocity.
He got to that one really well.
He got to that one really well.
We’re in the bottom of the sixth of the spring breakout contest.
We’re in the bottom of the sixth of the spring breakout contest.
Ryan Mitchell 0 for 2 in the ball game.
Ryan Mitchell 0 for 2 in the ball game.
Sends this one deep to right, and it’s gone.
Sends this one deep to right, and it’s gone.
Ryan Mitchell connects.
Ryan Mitchell connects.
Hitting ninth in the lineup and his first hit of the afternoon gets the Cardinals within one.
Hitting ninth in the lineup and his first hit of the afternoon gets the Cardinals within one.
Ryan Mitchell, somebody who was known much more for his hit tool coming out of the draft last year out of Tennessee, but drives that one really nicely.
Ryan Mitchell, somebody who was known much more for his hit tool coming out of the draft last year out of Tennessee, but drives that one really nicely.
Ball four.
Ball four.
Weatherholt reaches for the third time.
Weatherholt reaches for the third time.
Bases are loaded now for the Cardinals.
Bases are loaded now for the Cardinals.
And a pinch hitter up in Josh Cross.
And a pinch hitter up in Josh Cross.
2-0.
2-0.
This comebacker’s off his glove.
This comebacker’s off his glove.
It’s gonna be tough to get Cross at first, and they will.
It’s gonna be tough to get Cross at first, and they will.
No play.
No play.
Run scores.
Run scores.
We’re tied.
We’re tied.
Bases are now loaded for Roniel Rodriguez.
Bases are now loaded for Roniel Rodriguez.
And that hit them.
And that hit them.
Cardinals take the lead, and Randall’s struggling here in the bottom of the sixth.
Cardinals take the lead, and Randall’s struggling here in the bottom of the sixth.
Yeah, this is really atypical from Josh Randall.
Yeah, this is really atypical from Josh Randall.
Normally, his command and control are so much better than this.
Normally, his command and control are so much better than this.
Blaise Jordan, who’s somebody you could push to the majors in ’26.
Blaise Jordan, who’s somebody you could push to the majors in ’26.
RBI machine looking for one here.
RBI machine looking for one here.
They’re gonna get one.
They’re gonna get one.
Can they turn it?
Can they turn it?
Indeed.
Indeed.
Run does score, but now two outs in the sixth.
Run does score, but now two outs in the sixth.
Cardinals up by a pair.
Cardinals up by a pair.
Jesus Baez, 1 for 2 with a walk.
Jesus Baez, 1 for 2 with a walk.
Baez shoots this one up the middle, a two out RBI knock makes the score 8-5.
Baez shoots this one up the middle, a two out RBI knock makes the score 8-5.
Cardinals with the lead.
Cardinals with the lead.
And the Cardinals have batted around.
And the Cardinals have batted around.
Ryan Mitchell hitting with two on and two outs.
Ryan Mitchell hitting with two on and two outs.
Up there swinging.
Up there swinging.
Sends this to left field.
Sends this to left field.
It will be tracked down.
It will be tracked down.
Nice play in left.
Nice play in left.
Glasser makes the catch.
Glasser makes the catch.
The inning comes to an end.
The inning comes to an end.
Johnnyn GascDar getting his first at bat of this game.
Johnnyn GascDar getting his first at bat of this game.
And that big leg kick, trying to generate some load and power.
And that big leg kick, trying to generate some load and power.
And that’s gonna be tracked down at first base for the out.
And that’s gonna be tracked down at first base for the out.
It’s a nice play at first.
It’s a nice play at first.
Johandy Morales makes the grab for the second out.
Johandy Morales makes the grab for the second out.
Daniel Ortiz has an opportunity.
Daniel Ortiz has an opportunity.
Bases loaded, no one out.
Bases loaded, no one out.
This ground ball to second could be two.
This ground ball to second could be two.
Indeed.
Indeed.
And that’s exactly what the doctor ordered for Cesar Rojas.
And that’s exactly what the doctor ordered for Cesar Rojas.
So now the tying run will come to the plate for the Nationals.
So now the tying run will come to the plate for the Nationals.
But then this is some of the bad habits he used to get in, putting the ball on the ground too much.
But then this is some of the bad habits he used to get in, putting the ball on the ground too much.
And that first pitch swinging.
And that first pitch swinging.
It’s a swinging bunt.
It’s a swinging bunt.
A run will come across, but it’s the first out in the ninth.
A run will come across, but it’s the first out in the ninth.
Philip Glasser.
Philip Glasser.
Florida and Arizona.
Florida and Arizona.
Glasser comes through again.
Glasser comes through again.
What a ball game.
What a ball game.
Drives in two.
Drives in two.
We have a one-run game.
We have a one-run game.
His third hit of the ball game.
His third hit of the ball game.
Philip Glasser makes it 9-8.
Philip Glasser makes it 9-8.
Kevin Bazille wants to continue the rally.
Kevin Bazille wants to continue the rally.
Ground ball back to Fajardo, and that’ll do it.
Ground ball back to Fajardo, and that’ll do it.
Final out in this ball game.
Final out in this ball game.
The St. Louis Cardinals top prospects defeat the Washington Nationals by a score of 9-8.
The St. Louis Cardinals top prospects defeat the Washington Nationals by a score of 9-8.