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.
Tidwell strikes out nine batters as Mets beat Bisons, 2-1, on Easter Sunday
Syracuse, NY – With fantastic pitching and timely hitting, the Syracuse Mets put together a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Bisons on a sunny Easter Sunday at NBT Bank Stadium. The Mets' pitching staff struck out a season-high 16 batters in the win. With the victory, Syracuse won five games
Waddell starts strong but Mets fall to Bisons, 5-1, on Saturday afternoon
Syracuse, NY – After a five-game win streak filled with hot-hitting, the Syracuse Mets offense went cold in a 5-1 loss against the Buffalo Bisons on a humid Saturday afternoon at NBT Bank Stadium. The game was initially slated to start at 1:05 p.m. but was delayed for an hour
Sproat makes sterling start as Syracuse sweeps Friday night doubleheader over Buffalo
Syracuse, NY – The Syracuse Mets clobbered five home runs in a doubleheader sweep over the Buffalo Bisons on a warm Friday night at NBT Bank Stadium. Great pitching led to a 3-0 win in game one, and an offensive outburst in game two gave Syracuse an 11-5 victory.
Syracuse shuts out Buffalo, 2-0, on Thursday night
Syracuse, NY – Fantastic pitching and timely hitting were the recipe for success in the Syracuse Mets’ third straight win, a 2-0 victory over the Buffalo Bisons, on a gorgeous Thursday night at NBT Bank Stadium. Syracuse's pitching staff shined with 14 strikeouts and only three hits allowed in the
Syracuse and Buffalo postponed on Wednesday, doubleheader to be played Friday at 4:05 p.m.
Syracuse, NY – Wednesday afternoon's game between the Syracuse Mets and the Buffalo Bisons has been postponed because of inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader on Friday, April 18th beginning at 4:05 p.m. Game two will begin approximately 40 minutes after the
Reetz homers twice as Syracuse beats Buffalo, 10-2, on Tuesday afternoon
Syracuse, NY – In their best offensive output of the season, the Syracuse Mets beat the Buffalo Bisons, 10-2, in a weather-shortened, five-inning game at NBT Bank Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. Jakson Reetz had three hits, including two home runs in the win while Blade Tidwell allowed just two runs
2025 Meet the Syracuse Mets: Saturday, April 19th from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
SYRACUSE, NY – The 2025 “Meet the Syracuse Mets” charity fundraiser, presented by Coca-Cola, will take place on Saturday, April 19th from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Metropolitan Club at NBT Bank Stadium. Tickets are $35 and all net proceeds from ticket sales and an online auction will
Syracuse splits Sunday afternoon doubleheader against Lehigh Valley
Allentown, PA – After shaking off a game one 2-0 loss, the Syracuse Mets turned around to beat the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, 7-0, in game two of the Sunday afternoon doubleheader at Coca-Cola Park. Syracuse starting pitcher Brandon Waddell was magnificent in game two of the doubleheader, delivering five shutout
Sproat shines and Meneses stays hot as Syracuse beats Lehigh Valley, 6-2, on Saturday night
Allentown, PA – The Syracuse Mets finally got the big hit they needed with a Joey Meneses three-run double that sparked the offense to a 6-2 victory over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Saturday night at Coca-Cola Park. Mets top prospect Brandon Sproat also starred, retiring 13 of the 17
Mets and IronPigs postponed on Friday, doubleheader scheduled for Sunday
Allentown, PA - Friday's game between the Syracuse Mets and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs has been postponed because of inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday, April 13th with the first game beginning at 12:35 p.m. Saturday's game between the Mets and
Celestino stays hot but Mets fall to IronPigs, 5-1, on Thursday night
Syracuse, NY – Plagued by missed opportunities and poor defense the Syracuse Mets once again fell to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, 5-1, on a rainy Thursday night at Coca Cola Park. Despite the loss, Gilberto Celestino had two hits, an RBI, and extended his hitting streak to six straight games.
Mets rally falls short in 4-2 loss to IronPigs on Wednesday night
Syracuse, NY – The Syracuse Mets’ offense went quiet in a 4-2 loss to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on an uneventful Wednesday night at Coca Cola Park.
Singleton homers, but Mets fall to IronPigs, 7-2, on Tuesday night
Syracuse, NY – In what was largely an unplanned bullpen day for the Syracuse Mets pitching staff, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs pulled away late and handed the Mets a 7-2 loss on a chilly Tuesday night at Coca Cola Park.
Meneses doubles three times, but Mets fall to RailRiders, 8-4, on Sunday afternoon
Syracuse, NY - The Syracuse Mets got off to a hot start but cooled off late in an 8-4 loss to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on Sunday afternoon at NBT Bank Stadium. Joey Meneses had three doubles and two RBIs in the game for the Mets.
Sproat shines and Azocar homers as Mets beat RailRiders, 7-4, on Saturday afternoon
Syracuse, NY – With a dominant start from top prospect Brandon Sproat and their best offensive output of the season, the Syracuse Mets took down the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, 7-4, on a blustery Saturday afternoon at NBT Bank Stadium.
Castillo homers but Syracuse loses, 12-4, on Friday night to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
Syracuse, NY – Pitching woes and defensive miscues led to a 12-4 loss for the Syracuse Mets against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on a chilly Friday night at NBT Bank Stadium.