In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
As the 19-year-old shortstop jumped a 2-0 fastball and crushed a line drive into left-center field for a two-run single Sunday, Rainer’s inexperience didn’t show. The left-handed hitter waited on his pitch and sent it towards the opposite gap at 114 miles per hour, according to the Braves video board. It was his second hit and second and third RBI of his unofficial pro debut. It looked like a Major League approach, and it came from a teenager whose career is just getting started.
“Honestly, it didn't feel like I hadn't played a game in a year,” Rainer said after the Tigers’ 6-3 win for their second consecutive Spring Breakout victory. “It felt like I was just rolling right back out there.”
As far as opening statements go, the Spring Breakout game is a nice platform. It was a statement victory for an organization rated as having baseball’s best farm system by MLB Pipeline.
Rainer’s first hit also went to the opposite field, a fly ball that sent Braves left fielder Owen Carey to the fence but unable to make the catch, plating a run.
“I think the wind might have helped that one a little bit,” said Rainer, the No. 4 ranked prospect in the Tigers system and No. 52 in the MLB Pipeline Top 100.
The Tigers counted their blessings when Rainer fell to them with the 11th overall pick in last year’s Draft. His left-handed power bat and 6-foot-3 frame has brought comparisons to Rangers star shortstop Corey Seager, but injury prevented him from putting that on display last summer.
“I know he’s said it to me, that Corey Seager [comp], being from the L.A. area and all that,” said Hall of Famer and Tigers special assistant Alan Trammell, who managed the team to a Spring Breakout win for a second straight year. “That would be awesome, wouldn’t it? Anybody would like to pattern their game after him. But he has the ability to be that kind of [player] with the size and the swing. And the defense is really good. I mean, I’m pleasantly surprised with his defense at this point in his career.
“He’s just getting his feet wet in pro ball. Pro ball’s different. Like anybody that played, we can help them, but they have to figure out some of it on their own. And he’s just in the early stages, but he’s going to be fine.”
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Rainer worked out at the team facility in Lakeland last summer, but stayed out of games. After a normal offseason, he was an early arrival to Spring Training.
Not surprisingly, Trammell takes particular interest in shortstops, as Rainer has discovered.
“He’s there a ton. I don’t think I haven’t seen him there in a day. It’s honestly pretty crazy,” Rainer said. “People think he just talks about defense, but he’s in the cage with us, he’s on the field giving us whatever he’s got. It seems like he’s always working.”
The line-drive single in his third and final at-bat is an example of the up-and-middle approach the Tigers preach to their hitting prospects.
“Trying not to do too much,” Rainer said.
Rainer’s first pro at-bat in the second inning looked like it could have been a hit. He bolted down the line and might have beaten the throw to first on his ground ball to the left side. He didn’t get the call, leaving him smiling as he slowed up past the bag, but he more than made up for it.
The first glimpse hopefully carries Tigers fans for a bit. While the talent is apparent, Rainer still has to start his climb up a Tigers farm system that has built depth, especially at his position. Their starting infield for Sunday’s Spring Breakout featured three ranked shortstop prospects. While Rainer got the start at short, Kevin McGonigle (Detroit’s No. 3 prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 28 overall) started at third. Franyerber Montilla, the Tigers’ No. 14 prospect, started at second.
“It’s awesome,” said Rainer, who added the crowd surpassed his expectations. “I really didn’t know what to expect. Some of the guys from the Draft before mine didn’t even get to play in this, and it was kinda new to a lot of us. It was definitely good, especially to get a win.”
Senior Reporter Jason Beck has covered the Tigers for MLB.com since 2002.
Stripers, Nashville Postponed Sunday at Coolray Field
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Today’s 12:05 p.m. game between the Gwinnett Stripers and Nashville Sounds at Coolray Field has been postponed due to impending inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader at Coolray Field on Thursday, May 1. The first of two seven-inning games begins
Nashville Bats Break Through in 10-2 Win Over Stripers
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers (3-5) fell behind early and couldn’t pull a rally together in a 10-2 defeat against the Nashville Sounds (3-5) on Saturday night at Coolray Field. Decisive Plays: Nashville took an early lead in the first inning on a three-run home run from Wes Clarke
Gwinnett Stripers Add Palmetto Sports & Entertainment to Broadcast Network
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers, Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, and Gray Media have agreed to expand their partnership into the western Carolinas and northeastern Georgia with the addition of Palmetto Sports & Entertainment to the Stripers’ broadcast network. In addition to the 30 games that will air
Atlanta Braves Catcher Sean Murphy to Begin Rehab with Gwinnett
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers, in conjunction with the Atlanta Braves, have announced today that catcher Sean Murphy will join the Stripers on an injury rehab assignment. Murphy, on Atlanta’s 10-day injured list with a left ribcage fracture, is scheduled to play in Gwinnett’s 4:05 p.m. Opening Day game
All Eyes on Drake: Braves Top Prospect Gearing Up for First MLB Season
Headed into the 2024 season, catcher Drake Baldwin entered the year on the fringe of the MLB.com Atlanta Braves Top 30 Prospects list. The Madison, Wisconsin native had just come off a breakout campaign during his first full season of minor league baseball in which he saw time at three
Atlanta Braves Pitcher Spencer Strider to Rehab with Gwinnett
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Gwinnett Stripers, in conjunction with the Atlanta Braves, have announced today that pitcher Spencer Strider will join the Stripers on an injury rehab assignment. Strider, on Atlanta’s 15-day injured list as he recovers from 2024 surgery to repair his right ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), is slated
Homestand Highlights: Stripers Nearing Four-Millionth Fan Milestone as 2025 Season Begins
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers begin their 16th season of baseball at Coolray Field with a thrilling – and potentially historic – six-game series from April 1-6. The Stripers host the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A, Milwaukee Brewers) as they welcome fans back to the ballpark for Opening Week. The Stripers
Strider Dominant, Williams Provides Walk-Off Magic in Stripers’ 2-1 Thriller
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers (3-4) needed 11 innings and a walk-off wild pickoff throw to edge the Nashville Sounds (2-5) for a 2-1 win at Coolray Field on Friday night. Rehabbing Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider and catcher Sean Murphy served as the starting battery for Gwinnett in
Nashville’s Four-Run Third Inning Enough to Best Stripers 5-1
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers (2-4) saw their two-game winning streak come to an end courtesy of a 5-1 defeat at the hands of the Nashville Sounds (2-4) on Thursday night at Coolray Field. Rehabbing Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy caught seven innings and went 1-for-3 in his second
Wiles Impressive in Debut, Pitching Leads Way in 4-1 Stripers Win
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers (2-3) are now winners of their last two games after taking down the Nashville Sounds (1-4) by a 4-1 score on Wednesday at Coolray Field. Starting pitcher Nathan Wiles struck out five over 4.0 no-hit innings in his Gwinnett debut. Decisive Plays: For the
Murphy’s Blast Backs Waldrep as Stripers Earn First Win of 2025
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers took an early lead with the help of rehabbing Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy and held on for a 5-1 series-opening win over the Nashville Sounds on Tuesday at Coolray Field. The win was their first of 2025, snapping a three-game slide. Decisive Plays:
Bullpen Struggles Continue as Stripers Lose 9-6 to Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Gwinnett Stripers held a 3-2 lead through five innings, but for the second straight game the Charlotte Knights put together a big inning against the bullpen. Charlotte’s five-run sixth inning led them to a 9-6 victory, completing a three-game sweep of the Stripers at Truist Field.
Strider Strong in Rehab Start, but Stripers Fall 12-4 in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Atlanta Braves’ right-hander Spencer Strider struck out six over 3.0 innings in his first rehab start for Gwinnett, but the Charlotte Knights surged late against the bullpen to beat the Stripers 12-4 on Saturday night at Truist Field. Decisive Plays: The Stripers fell behind 2-1 after four
Charlotte Powers Past Elder, Stripers on Opening Night
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Home runs by Colson Montgomery, Tim Elko, and Kyle Teel propelled the Charlotte Knights to a 9-1 victory over the Gwinnett Stripers on Friday night at Truist Field. Sandy Leon provided Gwinnett’s only run with a solo homer in the fifth. Decisive Plays: Teel staked Charlotte to
Atlanta Braves Set Gwinnett Stripers’ 2025 Opening Day Roster
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Atlanta Braves announced today the Gwinnett Stripers’ roster to open the 2025 International League season. Gwinnett’s 150-game schedule begins on Friday, March 28 with the opener of a three-game series at the Charlotte Knights.
Stripers in Spring Training Update: March 24
The Atlanta Braves get ready to wrap up spring training games this week with the regular season beginning on Thursday. They approach the end of spring on a hot streak, going unbeaten in all but one game last week. Here’s an overview of who’s stood out this past week: Former
Stripers in Spring Training Update: March 17
The Atlanta Braves have wrapped up eight more spring training games in addition to the highly anticipated Spring Breakout Game against Detroit. Atlanta came away with just a pair of wins during the week, but many former and potential Stripers got the chance for additional reps. Here’s an overview of
Stripers in Spring Training Update: March 10
The second week of Spring Training saw the Atlanta Braves win just one of six games while tying twice, bringing its overall record to 7-5 in Grapefruit League play. Many former and future Gwinnett Stripers have had the chance to play for the big-league club. Here’s an overview of who’s
Stripers Alums Mejia, Waddell Selected to Braves' Spring Breakout Roster
Major League Baseball announced today the rosters for its 2025 Spring Breakout, the second-annual Spring Training showcase of top prospects from all 30 big-league organizations. The Atlanta Braves' 24-player roster for their March 16 Spring Breakout game includes a pair of Gwinnett Stripers alums, pitcher Ian Mejia and infielder Luke
Gwinnett Stripers Announce 2025 Promotions Schedule
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers announced today their Promotions Schedule for 2025, the team’s 16th season at Coolray Field. The full calendar of giveaways, fireworks shows, theme nights, special appearances, and weekly promotions awaiting fans can be viewed now at GoStripers.com/promotions. This year’s slate of giveaways is highlighted by
Stripers Unite Braves Country for Coca-Cola® Preseason Party on March 2
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – All levels of Braves Country will unite at Coolray Field on Sunday, March 2 as the Gwinnett Stripers host the annual Coca-Cola® Preseason Party. The Stripers will welcome the mascots and promotions teams of the Atlanta Braves, Columbus Clingstones (Double-A), Rome Emperors (High-A), and Augusta GreenJackets (Class-A)
Atlanta Braves Announce Gwinnett Stripers’ 2025 Coaching Staff
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Atlanta Braves announced today their minor league coaching staffs for the 2025 season. The Gwinnett Stripers will be led by manager Kanekoa Texeira (2nd season), pitching coach Wes McGuire (1st season), bullpen coach Craig Bjornson (2nd season, 1st since 2023), hitting coach Dan DeMent (2nd season),
Gwinnett Stripers Now Hiring Gameday Staff for 2025
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers are now accepting applications for gameday staff for the 2025 season. Online applications can be submitted now at GoStripers.com/jobs, and an in-person Job Fair is scheduled for Saturday, February 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Suite Lounge at Coolray Field. Individuals
Gwinnett Stripers and Chopper the Groundhog Announce Groundhog Day Celebration for February 2
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – In honor of Chopper the Groundhog – the only groundhog mascot in professional sports – the Gwinnett Stripers are planning a full and festive day on Sunday, February 2 that includes the launch of single-game ticket sales for the first half of the 2025 season. Chopper will
Gwinnett Stripers, Gray Media Partner for 30-Game Broadcast Schedule on Peachtree Sports Network
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Following the successful launch of a 13-game broadcast schedule in 2024, the Gwinnett Stripers have announced a continuation and expansion of their partnership with Gray Media to air select home games on Peachtree Sports Network (PSN) during the 2025 season. The Stripers, Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta