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.
Yard Goats Broadcaster Jeff Dooley is in Scottsdale for a First Look at the 2025 Yard Goats
Dooley’s Diary (Volume 1) Spring Training 2025 Scottsdale, AZ- Greetings from Salt River Fields, the official Spring Training home of the Colorado Rockies and Hartford Yard Goats. It is hard to believe that the Yard Goats are set to begin their 10th season in just a short few weeks (Friday,
Yard Goats to Hold Annual FanFest Event on Saturday, March 15th at Dunkin’ Park
Yard Goats to Hold Annual FanFest Event on Saturday, March 15th at Dunkin’ Park Free Event includes Behind the Scenes Tours, Face Painting, Batting Cages, Mascots & More (Hartford, CT ) The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, announced it will host
Yard Goats Announce Jordan’s Furniture will be a Leadership Partner at Dunkin’ Park Beginning This Season
Yard Goats Announce Jordan’s Furniture will be a Leadership Partner at Dunkin’ Park Beginning This Season Jordan’s Furniture is now the official furniture and mattress partner of the Hartford Yard Goats (Hartford, CT ) The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, and
Yard Goats Announce College Baseball Games Coming Back to Dunkin’ Park
Yard Goats Announce College Baseball Games Coming Back to Dunkin’ Park Four College Games Set including first-ever HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) school (Hartford, CT ) The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, announced that college baseball is returning to Dunkin’
Yard Goats to Hold National Anthem Auditions on Saturday, March 1st
Yard Goats to Hold National Anthem Auditions on Saturday, March 1st Singers of all ages are welcome to audition for the opportunity to perform at Dunkin’ Park (Hartford, CT ) The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, announced the National Anthem auditions
Yard Goats Announce Promotional Schedule for Dunkin’ Park
Yard Goats Announce Promotional Schedule for Dunkin’ Park Fireworks, Giveaways, Thunder Chickens, Leaf Peepers all part of 10th Anniversary Celebration Link to Drop Box Promotional Media Folder (Hartford, CT ) The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, announced its 2025 promotional schedule
Yard Goats Coaching Staff to Return for 2025 Season
Yard Goats Coaching Staff to Return for 2025 Season Former Yankee Bobby Meacham is back to manage Yard Goats after guiding club to first-ever playoff series (Hartford, CT) The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, has been informed by the Rockies that
Yard Goats to play game as Hartford Thunder Chickens
Yard Goats to play game as Hartford Thunder Chickens Thunder Chickens is one of two new alternate identities the Yard Goats will use at a home game this season (Hartford, CT ) The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, announced that it
Yard Goats to Host Black Funding Forum on Wednesday, February 5th (5-7 PM)
Yard Goats to Host Black Funding Forum on Wednesday, February 5th (5-7 PM) Business Expo with panel discussion to take place at Dunkin’ Park in celebration of Black History Month (Hartford, CT ) The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, announced it
Yard Goats Individual Game Tickets Go On Sale Friday, February 7th
Yard Goats Individual Game Tickets Go On Sale Friday, February 7th Team will also unveil two new alternate identities this season and one will be announced next Thursday, January 30th (Hartford, CT ) The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, announced that
Yard Goats to Hold Job Fair on Saturday, February 15th at Dunkin’ Park from 9:00AM until 11:30 AM
Yard Goats to Hold Job Fair on Saturday, February 15th at Dunkin’ Park from 9:00AM until 11:30 AM Baseball Club looking for upbeat, fan-friendly individuals to work at Dunkin’ Park this upcoming season (Hartford, CT) The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies,
Yard Goats General Manager Mike Abramson Named MiLB Executive of the Year by Baseball America
Abramson selected top executive among the 120 full-season affiliated teams across the U.S. and Canada Hartford, Conn- The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, has been informed by Baseball America that General Manager Mike Abramson has been named the 2024 Minor League
Yard Goats to Host Black-Owned Business Expo at Dunkin’ Park on Wednesday
Yard Goats to Host Black-Owned Business Expo at Dunkin’ Park on Wednesday Event with over 50 Vendors Hosted by Yard Goats on Wednesday, November 20th from 6:00-8:30 PM Hartford, CT- The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League Affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, has announced it will be
Yard Goats Field Operations Manager Matt Piersanti Named Eastern League & Double A Head Groundskeeper of the Year
Yard Goats Field Operations Manager Matt Piersanti Named Eastern League & Double A Head Groundskeeper of the Year Piersanti selected by Major League Baseball as having the best playing field in 2024 Hartford, Conn- The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, has
Yard Goats to Host Connecticut's Largest Halloween Trick or Treat Community Event
Yard Goats to Host Connecticut's Largest Halloween Trick or Treat Community Event Free Event set for this Sunday, October 27th at Dunkin' Park from 12:00PM until 3:00PM Hartford, CT- The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League Affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, has announced it will be once
Yard Goats Named Organization of the Year by Minor League Baseball
Yard Goats Named Organization of the Year by Minor League Baseball Yard Goats Receive Top Honor at MiLB Business Summit (Hartford, CT ) The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, were named 2024 Organization of the Year by Minor League Baseball (MiLB).
Yard Goats Skipper Bobby Meacham Named Eastern League Manager of Year
Yard Goats Skipper Bobby Meacham Named Eastern League Manager of Year Meacham becomes first Yard Goats manager to receive prestigious award from Minor League Baseball Hartford, Conn- The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, has been informed by Minor League Baseball (MiLB)
Yard Goats Season Ends in Extra Innings
Yard Goats Season Ends in Extra Innings WP: Pestana (1-0) LP: Mejia (0-1) SV: Liranzo Time: 2:49 Hartford CT – The Somerset Patriots scored a run in the 10th inning to defeat the Hartford Yard Goats 4-3 to win the Eastern League Divisional Series and end the Yard Goats season.
Yard Goats Playoffs Series to Begin Tuesday
Yard Goats to Face Yankees affiliate in First Ever Playoff Series Yard Goats Best of Three Divisional Playoff Series will begin on Tuesday on the Road and Thursday at Dunkin’ Park Hartford, Conn- The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, will begin
Kokoska 9th Inning Homer Leads Yard Goats to Victory
Kokoska 9th Inning Homer Leads Yard Goats to Victory Final: Hartford 5, Akron 2 WP: Juan Mejia (4-4) LP: Jack Leftwich (4-7) S: Zach Agnos (7) Time: 2:31 Akron, OH- Zach Kokoska cranked a go-ahead two-run home run in the ninth inning leading the Hartford Yard Goats to a 5-2
Yard Goats Beat MLB Veteran Carlos Carrasco
Yard Goats Beat MLB Veteran Carlos Carrasco Final: Hartford 3, Akron 0 WP: Sean Sullivan (2-0) LP: Carlos Carrasco (0-1) S: Zach Agnos (6) Time: 2:10 Akron, OH- Sean Sullivan fired a season-high six scoreless innings, and the Yard Goats scored two runs off veteran Carlos Carrasco, who was on
Late Homer Dooms Yard Goats in Ohio
Late Homer Dooms Yard Goats in Ohio Final: Akron 4, Hartford 3 WP: Torres Jr. (2-6) LP: Baumgartner (4-2) S: Hanner (6) Time: 2:36 Akron, OH- Kahlil Watson hit a go-ahead solo home run in the seventh inning to break a 3-3 tie and lead the Akron RubberDucks to a
Yard Goats Playoffs Watch Party
Yard Goats Playoffs Watch Party Set for Tuesday, September 17th at 5:00 PM on Pratt Street in Hartford Hartford, Conn- The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, and the Hartford Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Playoff Watch Party on Tuesday,
Kokoska Crushes League Leading 19th Home Run in Yard Goats Loss
Kokoska Crushes League Leading 19th Home Run in Yard Goats Loss WP: Case (4-3) LP: Senzatela (0-1) Time: 3:22 Hartford CT - Zach Kokoska crushed his Eastern League leading 19th home run of the season but the Hartford Yard Goats fell to the Altoona Curve 9-5 in front of a
Ritter Homers in Yard Goats Loss
Ritter Homers in Yard Goats Loss WP: Dombkowski (4-3) LP: Van Scoyoc (7-7) SV: Yean (4) Time: 2:52 Hartford CT - Ryan Ritter crushed his 7th homer of the season and Warming Bernabel extended his hitting streak to 13 games but the Hartford Yard Goats fell to the Altoona Curve