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.
Day Air Ballpark to Open Early for Reds Batting Practice on March 25
DAYTON, OHIO – The Dayton Dragons announced today that fans with tickets to the 25th Season Celebration Game with the Reds presented by Winsupply on Tuesday, March 25 at Day Air Ballpark in Dayton can arrive early and watch the Reds take batting practice. Gates will open at 4:00 pm
Dragons Single-Game Ticket Sales Now Underway
DAYTON, OHIO – Single-game ticket sales for Dayton Dragons 2025 home games will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19. The Dragons 25th Opening Night is set for Tuesday, April 8 when they host the Fort Wayne TinCaps at Day Air Ballpark at 7:05 pm. Single-game tickets for Dragons
Dayton Dragons 2025 Team Preview: Part 5—The Third Basemen
Several former Dayton Dragons players performed well for the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday night in the Reds spring breakout game against the Milwaukee Brewers, a game that was nationally televised on the MLB Network and spotlighted top prospects from both teams. Sal Stewart, a key member of the 2024 Dragons,
Dragons 2025 Team Preview, Part 4: Shortstops
The Dayton Dragons continue preparations for their historic 25th season at Day Air Ballpark. The Dragons home Opening Night game is set for Tuesday, April 8 against the Fort Wayne TinCaps at 7:05 pm at Day Air Ballpark. The Dragons will officially open their season on the road in 2025,
Dayton Dragons Welcome Diamond Baseball Holdings as New Owner
DAYTON, OHIO (March 13, 2025) – Palisades Arcadia Baseball LLC, led by Nick Sakellariadis, Greg Rosenbaum and Mike Savit, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to sell the Dayton Dragons to Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), an organization that owns and operates select minor league clubs affiliated with
Dragons Kids Club is Back in 2025
DAYTON, OHIO – The Dayton Dragons Kids Club returns in 2025 with a special celebration of 25 years of Dayton Dragons baseball with a unique, Limited Edition Dragons pullover jersey. The full package of the Dragons Kids Club is just $34.99 per child and carries a total value of over
Dragons 2025 Team Preview, Part 3: Second Basemen
As spring training continues in Goodyear, Arizona, the Dayton Dragons continue to look ahead to their 25th season in 2025. The entire season will be a celebration of the Dragons rich history, and it will kick off with a special game on March 25 at Day Air Ballpark in Dayton
Dragons 2025 Team Preview, Part 2: First Basemen
As the spring calendar marches forward, so does the progression toward the start of the 2025 baseball season for the Dayton Dragons. Today, the Dragons and the two other Cincinnati Reds farm clubs, Chattanooga and Daytona, open their spring training schedules with games against other minor league workout groups, while
Dragons 2025 Team Preview, Part 1: Catchers
The Dayton Dragons will celebrate a special year in 2025, their 25th season of operation as a Cincinnati Reds affiliate in the Midwest League. The Dragons annual home “Opening Night” game is set for Tuesday, April 8 against the Fort Wayne TinCaps at 7:05 pm at Day Air Ballpark. The
Ticket Sales Underway for 25th Season Celebration Game with the Reds presented by Winsupply
Dayton, Ohio—The Dayton Dragons have announced that ticket sales for the 25th Season Celebration Game with the Reds presented by Winsupply are underway. Tickets may be purchased via the Dragons Box Office, via phone, or through Ticketmaster (see options to purchase tickets below). Tickets may also be purchased directly at
Pitchers & Catchers Report to Spring Training; Dragons Ticket Plans Available Now
Dayton, Ohio—The start of the 2025 baseball season has reached a milestone date. Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers have reported to spring training in Goodyear, Arizona and will conduct their first workout of the season tomorrow. The Reds will open their spring schedule on February 22 and conclude the spring
Dayton Flyers to Battle Wright State Raiders at Day Air Ballpark on April 29
DAYTON, OHIO – The Dayton Dragons are excited to announce that the University of Dayton baseball team will host Wright State University at Day Air Ballpark in 2025. The Flyers will meet the Raiders on Tuesday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m. at the home of the Dayton Dragons. Gates will
Nine Questions with Dragons Manager Vince Harrison Jr.
Vince Harrison Jr. served as manager of the Dayton Dragons in 2024 and will return in the same role in 2025. In 2024, Harrison guided the Dragons to a record of 74-58 (.561) as the team won a Second Half division title for the first time since 2011 and qualified
Vince Harrison Jr. Returning to Lead Dragons 2025 Coaching Staff
Dayton, Ohio—The Dayton Dragons announced their 2025 coaching staff today, as assigned by the Cincinnati Reds. Vince Harrison Jr.—Manager Willie Blair—Pitching Coach Troy Gingrich—Hitting Coach Peterson Plaz—Coach Lauren Powers—Athletic Trainer Dominic Cothern—Strength & Conditioning Coach Hunter Rickard—Video & Tech Specialist TBA—Performance Coach Vince Harrison Jr. will return to the Dragons
2024 Dragons Cam Collier, Sal Stewart, & Hector Rodriguez get Reds Spring Training Invitations
Dayton, Ohio—Three members of the 2024 Dayton Dragons and six other former Dragons from previous years are on the list of minor league players invited to participate in Major League spring training with the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds have invited infielders Cam Collier and Sal Stewart along with outfielder Hector
Reds and Dragons Say Thanks to Fans with Reds Spring Training Game at Day Air Ballpark
Dayton, Ohio—In conjunction with the 25th season of Dayton Dragons Professional Baseball in 2025, the Dragons and their Major League affiliate, the Cincinnati Reds, will say thank you to Dragons fans when the Reds close out their spring training schedule with a game at Day Air Ballpark in Dayton. The
Win Big in the Dragons Holiday 50/50 Raffle
DAYTON, OHIO --- The Dayton Dragons Foundation has launched a special online 50/50 raffle with proceeds benefitting The Dayton Dragons Foundation. Starting Friday, November 29 through Thursday, December 12, 2024, one lucky fan will win 50% of the jackpot. The other half of the net proceeds will benefit The Dayton
Former Dayton Dragons Luis Mey, Tyler Callihan Added to Reds 40-Man Roster
DAYTON, OHIO—Former Dayton Dragons Luis Mey and Tyler Callihan were added yesterday to the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster. Yesterday was the deadline for Major League teams to add players to their 40-man roster to protect them from being selected by another club in the Rule 5 draft in December. Mey
2024 Dragons Pitcher Luis Mey Named AFL Relief Pitcher of the Year
DAYTON, OHIO—Luis Mey, a hard-thrower pitcher who spent the first three months of the 2024 season with the Dayton Dragons, has been honored as the “Relief Pitcher of the Year” in the Arizona Fall League. Mey (pronounced MAY) broke the all-time record for fastest pitch thrown at Day Air Ballpark
Baseball America List of Reds Top-10 Prospects for 2025 Includes Five Former Dragons, Five More on the Way
DAYTON, OHIO—Baseball America, the trade publication for Minor League Baseball, has announced its annual list of top-10 prospects in the Cincinnati Reds organization. Selection to the top-10 prospect list is a notable achievement for any player among the approximately 175 minor leaguers in the Reds system. Rhett Lowder, who in
Dragons to Conduct Auditions for Mascot Performers, Green Team, On-Field Hosts for 2025
DAYTON, OHIO—The Dayton Dragons are conducting auditions for several professional entertainment positions with the team. The Dragons are holding auditions for mascot performers, the Green Team, and on-field entertainment hosts for the 2025 season. The Dragons are seeking fun, energetic, and enthusiastic performers for these positions. Candidates must be at
Former Dragons Hitting Coach Alex Pelaez Added to Reds Coaching Staff
DAYTON, OHIO – Former Dayton Dragons hitting coach Alex Pelaez has been named to the 2025 coaching staff of the Cincinnati Reds under the leadership of new Reds manager Terry Francona. Pelaez becomes the seventh Dragons coach or manager to go on to coach in the major leagues. A total
Dragons Clubhouse Manager Aiden Reverman Wins Midwest League Award
DAYTON, OHIO—Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) today announced the winners of the Head Groundskeeper of the Year and Home and Visiting Clubhouse Manager of the Year Awards for each of the full season Minor Leagues. Aiden Reverman of the Dayton Dragons was named Midwest League Visiting Clubhouse Manager of the Year.
Dragons Veteran Salute Program, Presented by CareSource Military & Veterans, Continues in 2025
DAYTON, OHIO – The Dayton Dragons and CareSource Military & Veterans™, a subsidiary of CareSource, are continuing their commitment for the Veteran Salute program, an initiative to honor, recognize and support Miami Valley veterans at select Dayton Dragons home games throughout the 2025 season. This sponsorship is an extension of
CBTF Family Walk at Day Air Ballpark on Saturday, Oct. 26
Dayton, Ohio—The Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation (CBTF) is excited to announce the CBTF Family Walk for the Cure, raising awareness and funds for families affected by pediatric brain tumors. The event will take place on Saturday, October 26 at 9:00 am at Day Air Ballpark, 220 N. Patterson Blvd. Go