Former Tulane Pitcher Earns Spot on Royals' Spring Breakout Roster

Michael Lombardi will participate in the MLB Spring Breakout exhibition games this March.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:03am

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Former Tulane pitcher Michael Lombardi was recently named to the Spring Breakout roster for the Kansas City Royals and will participate in the MLB Spring Breakout games this season, the organization announced. The third annual MLB Spring Breakout is from March 19-22, 2026 and showcases baseball's future stars.

Why it matters

The Spring Breakout event provides a valuable preseason spotlight for top MLB prospects like Lombardi to showcase their talents in front of scouts, coaches, and fans. As a former Tulane standout, Lombardi's selection to the Royals' roster highlights the continued pipeline of talent from the Green Wave program to the professional ranks.

The details

Lombardi, who was drafted 61st overall by the Royals in the 2025 MLB Draft, had a standout 2025 season at Tulane. He led the team and the American Conference with 11 saves, going 4-1 with a 2.14 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 42 innings. Lombardi also excelled as a hitter, batting .273 with 4 home runs and 29 RBIs.

  • The 2026 MLB Spring Breakout event takes place from March 19-22.
  • Lombardi and the Royals will face the Texas Rangers on March 20 in Surprise, Arizona.

The players

Michael Lombardi

A former pitcher and first baseman/center fielder for the Tulane Green Wave, Lombardi was recently drafted 61st overall by the Kansas City Royals in the 2025 MLB Draft.

Kansas City Royals

The professional baseball team that drafted Lombardi and has selected him to participate in their Spring Breakout roster this year.

Texas Rangers

The opposing team that the Royals and Lombardi will face during the Spring Breakout event on March 20.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

Lombardi's selection to the Royals' Spring Breakout roster is a testament to his standout collegiate career at Tulane and the continued pipeline of talent from the Green Wave program to the professional ranks. The Spring Breakout event provides a valuable platform for top prospects like Lombardi to showcase their skills and take a step closer to realizing their MLB dreams.