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.
The Chattanooga Wreckers are Back for 2025!
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Chattanooga Lookouts are proud to announce the return of their alternate identity, the Chattanooga Wreckers. Last season, the team unveiled the alternate identity to recognize Chattanooga as the birthplace of the wrecker and to honor the past, present, and future of the towing industry. Once again,
Lookouts Announce 2025 Promotions! Tickets On Sale Now!
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Chattanooga Lookouts are excited to announce our 2025 promotional schedule. The upcoming 2025 season will feature fireworks, giveaways, the return of many fan-favorite theme nights, and exciting new promotions! Anchoring our schedule is the return of our World Famous Used Car Night presented by TVFCU, our
Chattanooga Lookouts and Chattanooga State Announce Exhibition Game
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Chattanooga Lookouts and the Chattanooga State Tigers Baseball Team have announced the return of their annual exhibition game at AT&T Field. The two teams will play against each other on Wednesday, April 2 at 6:00 p.m. Tickets for the seven-inning game are $7 and are on
Lookouts Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Today, the Cincinnati Reds have announced that Jose Moreno will return to the Chattanooga Lookouts for his fourth season as the team’s manager. Joining Moreno on staff will be pitching coach Joel Bonnett, hitting coach Mike Jacobs, returning coach Dick Schofield and new coach Reggie Williams. This
Lookouts 2025 Job Fair Set For February 15 at AT&T Field
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Want to join the most fun team in town? On Saturday, February 15, the Chattanooga Lookouts will be hosting their annual hiring fair at AT&T Field from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The home opener for the team’s upcoming 2025 season is slated for Tuesday, April 8.
Black Friday Weekend Sale Friday - Sunday
Don’t miss our Black Friday Weekend Sale! Save BIG Friday, November 29 through Monday, December 2 with: 1/2 off Opening Day tickets 20% off at the Lookouts Team Store - Spend $100+ on merch & get FREE shipping -Spend $200+ on merch & get a FREE Chattanooga Dental Studio Looie
The National Champion Tennessee Vols to Play at AT&T Field
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Chattanooga Lookouts have announced that the reigning National Champion Tennessee Vols baseball team will host a Fall World Series exhibition game at AT&T Field while ongoing construction takes place at the program’s home ballpark, Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Fall World Series exhibition game will be held
Four 2024 Lookouts Named to Arizona Fall League
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. –Minor League Baseball has announced that four members of the 2024 Chattanooga Lookouts, Jose Acuna, Tyler Callihan, Luis Mey, and Carson Rudd, have been named to the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League. The four Lookouts will be joined by former Lookouts, Edwin Arroyo, Christian Encarnacion-Strand,
Lookouts Trainer Josh Hobson Named Southern League Trainer of the Year
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. –The Chattanooga Lookouts are proud to announce that Josh Hobson, the team’s athletic trainer, has been named the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) Trainer of the Year for the Southern League. This prestigious accolade highlights Hobson’s exceptional dedication, expertise, and impact in the field of athletic training.
Lookouts Announce 2025 Schedule
DOWNLOAD OUR 2025 SCHEDULE PDF HERE CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Chattanooga Lookouts have announced their 2025 schedule. On Friday, April 4, the Lookouts will make their season debut when they head on the road to take on the Rocket City Trash Pandas. Four days later, the team comes home to
Today's Game (9/15) Has Been Canceled
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Chattanooga Lookouts have announced that today’s (9/15) game has been canceled due to rain and unplayable field conditions. Today’s game will not be made up. Tickets from the game are exchangeable for any 2025 Lookouts regular season home game and can be exchanged by email at
Lookouts Offense Only Musters Two Hits in 8-0 Loss.
In the ninth inning, Lookouts catcher Daniel Vellojin smacked a single to break up the Rocket City Trash Panda's no-hit bid. Before Vellojin's single, Rocket City only allowed one baserunner, a walk in the sixth inning, and recorded 17 strikeouts in their 8-0 win. Trash Pandas' starting pitcher George Klassen
Northcut Scores Winning Run in 6-5 Victory
Chattanooga Lookouts infielder Nick Northcut scored the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning, on a throwing error on Trash Pandas catcher Myles Emmerson, to secure the 6-5 victory. The early part of tonight's game featured dominant pitching on both sides. Trash Pandas pitcher Chase Chaney threw seven
Lookouts Lose In Extras, 7-6
The Chattanooga Lookouts fell in extras to the Rocket City Trash Pandas, 7-6 Tonight's game started off with three straight scoreless innings before the Lookouts broke the tie in the fourth. Michael Trautwein led off that inning with a walk and then scored on a Justice Thompson double. In the
Ibarra's Four Hit Night Leads Lookouts to 6-3 Win
Lookouts first baseman Ruben Ibarra collected four hits including a home run in the team's 6-3 win over the Rocket City Trash Pandas. Dominic Pitelli jumpstarted the Lookouts offense in the bottom of the first inning with a leadoff walk and advanced to third on an Austin Callahan double. Tyler
Lookouts Shutout Trash Pandas, 5-0
The Chattanooga Lookouts shutout the Rocket City Trash Pandas, 5-0 to kick off the last homestand of the season. Lookouts starting pitcher Kevin Abel was lights out for the Lookouts, only allowing four hits in seven innings with five strikeouts. In the second inning, Austin Hendrick began the scoring with
Lookouts One-Hit Barons; Win 1-0
The Chattanooga Lookouts pitching staff only allowed one hit in their 1-0 victory over the Birmingham Barons. Starting pitcher Chase Petty only allowed one hit in his seven innings of work and struck out eight batters. While Petty was putting up zeroes, the Lookouts offense struggled to find its footing.
Lookouts Out Hit Barons, but Lose 5-2
The Chattanooga Lookouts collected seven hits and left eight runners on base in their 5-2 loss on College Football Night at AT&T Field. Barons starter, and White Sox top prospect, Noah Schultz only allowed one hit in his four innings of work and struck out seven Lookouts batters. Birmingham provided
Sikkema Shines in Lookouts Debut
New Lookouts starter T.J. Sikkema shined in his team debut, striking out seven and earning the win in the team's 2-1 victory. The two teams traded zeroes until the fourth inning. Jose Torres led off the inning with a single and Pitelli smacked one of his own to put runners
Lookouts Surrender 10 Runs in Loss.
The Chattanooga Lookouts could not overcome an early six-run deficit in their 10-6 loss to the Birmingham Barons. For the second straight night, Wilfred Veras belted a home run. This time Veras smacked a two-run homer off of Kevin Abel to give the Barons the early lead. Chattanooga cut the
Lookouts Allow 3 HRs in 7-1 Loss
The Chattanooga Lookouts surrendered three home runs in their 7-1 loss to the Birmingham Barons. In the loss, Thomas Farr went a season-high seven innings and only allowed six hits. Birmingham's first homer of the day came in the first inning on a 400-foot homer by Wilfred Veras. After the
Lookouts Come Back but Fall in Extras
Chattanooga Lookouts pitcher Chase Petty threw seven strong innings, but the Lookouts fell 3-2 in 10 innings to the Birmingham Barons. For the second consecutive home start, Petty only allowed two runs in seven innings. The right-hander finished with five strikeouts to bring his team-high total to 108. Birmingham took
Kevin Abel Named Pitcher of the Week
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. –Minor League Baseball has announced that Chattanooga Lookouts starting pitcher Kevin Abel has been named the Southern League Pitcher of the Week for the week of 8/19-25. Against the Mississippi Braves on Friday, Kevin Abel only allowed one hit over a career-high eight innings. He finished the outing
Lookouts Hold on to 4-3 Win
The Chattanooga Lookouts took a one-run lead heading into the ninth inning and held on for a 4-3 win over the Trash Pandas. The win clinched the series for Chattanooga who won four out of seven games from Rocket City. The Trash Pandas scored first with a run in the
Rocket City Grabs 8-6 Win Over Chattanooga In Extras
The Chattanooga Lookouts fell to the Rocket City Trash Pandas, 8-6 in 11 innings in front of 5,258 fans at AT&T Field on Grateful Dead Night. Tonight's game started off great for the home team. After a 1-2-3 inning, Jose Torres led off the bottom of the first with a