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.
Fuentes Struggles in Debut, Emperors Fall Flat in Sunday’s Rubber Match
WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Rome was outscored 19-3 and outhit 17-5 over the final 12 innings of the series with the Winston-Salem Dash, consequently dropping game three, 11-3, Sunday. Didier Fuentes (Braves no.11 prospect), who hadn’t pitched since his stellar outing in the Spring Breakout Game on March 16th against Detroit,
Offense is Present, but Pitching Falters in 16-6 Loss to Winston-Salem
WINSTON-SALEM, NC – A dozen hits and half a dozen runs didn’t come close to competing with the Dash Saturday afternoon, as the White Sox High-A affiliate pulled away from the Emperors in the 16-6 route. After Rome starter Garrett Baumann set down the Dash in order in the top
Emperors Uphold Tradition of Winning on Opening Day
WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Two days removed from the announcement that Opening Day would be moved to the home of the Dash, Rome won its ninth consecutive season opener, 6-2, thanks to a couple of longballs and excellent relief pitching. JR Ritchie, Atlanta’s no.6 pitching prospect, made his first career Opening
Information Regarding Emperors Opening Day
Rome Emperors Fans, We regret to inform you that due to a pipe bursting in the Rome clubhouse causing significant water damage earlier this week, our stadium is currently not in a condition that meets the standards we hold ourselves to for your game-day experience-or for the health and safety
Atlanta's High-A affiliate starts the season with five top 30 prospects.
ROME, Ga – The Atlanta Braves, in conjunction with High-A affiliate Rome, today announced the roster for the Emperors ahead of the 2025 season. Once again there is no shortage of pitching talent on Rome’s break camp roster with five of MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 Braves prospects beginning the year
Angel Flores Returns as Manager; Rest of 2025 Field Staff Announced
ROME, Ga. – The Rome Emperors, in conjunction with the Atlanta Braves, today announced their 2025 coaching staff, which includes former Manager Angel Flores and longtime assistant Bobby Moore. Angel Flores “Flo” returns to Rome for his second stint as Manager of Atlanta’s High-A affiliate. It’ll be his third stay
Take Home A Piece Of Rome Baseball History!
ROME, GA – The Rome Emperors announce a truly once in a lifetime opportunity Tuesday with their “Dig up the Diamond” event to be held Tuesday, January 28th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm EDT at AdventHealth Stadium. Fans are presented a unique opportunity to quite literally take home a piece of
Rome Season Ends In SALDS Sweep
ROME, GA. - The Rome Emperors season came to an end on Thursday night at the hands of the Bowling Green Hot Rods, as they sweep the South Atlantic League Division series. Atlanta's number seven overall prospect JR Ritchie would get the ball from Emperors skipper Cody Gabella with the
Rome Emperors Drop SALDS Opener
BOWLING GREEN, KY - Back in the playoffs for the first time since 2022, the Rome Emperors took the trip up Interstate 24 to the Bluegrass State for the opening game of the 2024 South Atlantic League Division Series. Blake Burkhalter would get the starting nod from manager Cody Gabella.
Frey, Farris Tag Team ‘Hoppers in Series Finale
ROME, Ga – The Emperors wrapped up their regular season home schedule with a 3-2 win over the Grasshoppers to earn a series split with the first-half champions of the North. Kevin Kilpatrick Jr., with his single to left field in the bottom of the third inning, moved into third
Rome Rides Ritchie's Debut To Tight Win
ROME, Ga. - The Atlanta Braves drafted right-hander JR Ritchie thirty-fifth overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, and has been one of the most coveted prospects on the farm since then. On Saturday night, Ritchie took the mound for the High-A Rome Emperors for the first time. Ritchie, who underwent
Maier Masterclass, Paolini Power Gives Rome Walk-off Win
ROME, Ga. - If you're a fan of good 'ole fashion pitchers duels, then the Emperors versus Grasshoppers series has been the one for you. Looking to snap a seven game loosing skid, Emperors manager Cody Gabella would give the ball to right-hander Adam Maier on a Friday night in
Burkhalter Shines but Rome Nearly No-hit Thursday Night
ROME, Ga. - Carlson Reed and the Grasshoppers carried a no-hit bid into the bottom of the eighth inning en route to winning their seventh straight while handing Rome it’s seventh straight loss. Blake Burkhalter was phenomenal over 6.0 innings of shutout baseball. He struck out a career-high 11 batters,
Rome Drops Extra Inning Contest For Sixth Straight Loss
ROME, Ga. - As the end of the 2024 regular season creeps closer and closer, the Rome Emperors and Greensboro Grasshoppers continue a week-long preview of what could be the South Atlantic League's championship matchup. Rome skipper Cody Gabella would give the ball to Luis Vargas in the week's second
Emperors Fall Short in Tavarez’s Return
ROME, Ga – Drew Compton’s two-for-three day at the plate and Ambioris Tavarez’s stellar day defensively were not enough Tuesday night, as the First-Half Champions in the North took game one, 5-2. Rome was off and rolling in the first inning after a leadoff single from Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. and
Emperors Sweep Twin-Bill, Set Sights on Final Stretch
ROME, Ga. - On a day where the ball where was jumping off the bat, Rome will head to Greenville winners of six out of the last seven. The Emperors and Tourists teed it up for fourteen innings of baseball on Sunday morning, and Rome skipper Cody Gabella would hand
Emperors Win Suspended and Shortened Contest, Washed Out In Game Two
ROME, Ga. - On Friday night, the Emperors and Tourists teed it up for what was supposed to be nine innings of baseball at AdventHealth Stadium, but mother nature had other ideas. After one inning of play, a vicious thunderstorm forced both squads off the field and into the clubhouse.
Burkhalter Records Career High K's, Emperors Drop Thursday Tussle
ROME, Ga. - Blake Burkhalter's season may have started late, but he has gained ground and cemented himself as a pivotal piece of Cody Gabella's starting rotation as the 2024 South Atlantic League Playoffs creep ever closer. With the Emperors eyeing their fourth straight win, Gabella would give the ball
Zebo’s Ninth Inning Double Fuels Walk-off Versus Tourists
ROME, Ga. - Three runs in the bottom of the ninth, courtesy of Nick Ward and Adam Zebrowski, kept the Emperors alive Wednesday night before E.J. Exposito’s single won the ball game in the tenth, 6-5. Again, it was Asheville striking first via a single, double, and triple in the
Kilpatrick, Grady Lead the Way in Series Opener
ROME, Ga – All but two Emperors recorded hits in Tuesday night’s 3-1 win over the Asheville Tourists. Riley Frey, Rome’s game one starter, pitched into trouble in the first after giving up two hits, both in two strike counts, to Kenni Gomez and Narbe Cruz before issuing a walk
Jhancarlos Lara is SAL Pitcher of the Week After Greensboro Gem
ROME, Ga – The South Atlantic League today announced their weekly award winners, honoring 21-year-old Jhancarlos Lara’s dozen strikeouts and six hitless innings against Greensboro this past Wednesday. The Dominican Republic native notched his first winning decision of 2024 and tied a career high in strikeouts with 12, something he’s
Rome Emperors Unveil 2025 Schedule
ROME, Ga. - The Rome Emperors have unveiled their schedule for the 2025 season with sixty-six home games and sixty-six road contests. The twenty-second season of professional baseball in Rome begins at home for the third straight season, as the Winston-Salem Dash come to town for three straight games starting
Bowling Green Evens Series in Sunday Shutout
ROME, Ga – Adam Zebrowski’s two hits accounted for half of the Emperors’ base knocks on Sunday afternoon as Rome dropped the fourth and final game of the series to the Bowling Green Hot Rods, 5-0. Shutout for the ninth time in 2024, Jace Grady and Carlos Arroyo were the
Burkhalter, Janas Headline Double Header Sweep
ROME, Ga – Blake Burkhalter’s complete game shutout in game one and Justin Janas’ two-run homerun in game two cemented a sweep of the division-leading Bowling Green Hot Rods Saturday afternoon, marking the first time Rome has won back-to-back game since June 25th and 26th. A grand total of five
Bowling Green’s Newcomers Star in Game one Win
ROME, Ga – Bowling Green’s star-studded lineup combined for four extra-base hits in Wednesday night’s 7-2 thumping of the Emperors, marking their seventh straight win against the franchise. Emperors starter Jhancarlos Lara took another step in the right direction with his 5.2 innings of three hit baseball Wednesday evening. A