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.
Blue Rocks Announce 2025 Promotional Schedule
WILMINGTON, DE – On Thursday, March 13 the Wilmington Blue Rocks released their 2025 promotional and theme night schedule. This season kicks off at Frawley Stadium on Tuesday, April 8, as the Blue Rocks welcome fans back to the ballpark for an exciting six-game series against the brand-new Hub City
2024 Holiday Packages On Sale Now
Our popular holiday packages are back for the 2024 holiday season! Choose from four packages to place under the Christmas tree for the Blue Rocks fan in your life to enjoy! Package items range from certificates that can be used for tickets and throwing out a First Pitch to a
Washington Nationals Farm Report - 2024 Season Recap
Hundreds of games were played this season throughout the entirety of the Washington Nationals organization. While the Wilmington Blue Rocks’ season is over, all three of the Nationals’ other affiliates are continuing to play into the second half of September. Double-A Harrisburg Senators and Triple-A Rochester Red Wings are wrapping
Fireworks, Fans, Fun - The Final 2024 Series at Frawley Stadium
The past week marked the Wilmington Blue Rocks’ final home series of the 2024 season. They hosted the Aberdeen Ironbirds in the teams’ fifth and last meeting of the year and split the series 3-3. Ahead of the homestand, the Blue Rocks still had a slim chance to make the
Friday Night Lights to Frawley Stadium Strikes
Seth Shuman, one of many talented starting pitchers that worked their way from the Wilmington Blue Rocks to the Harrisburg Senators this season, grew up in Valdosta, Georgia. The southern Georgia town is known for its rich sports culture, specifically when it comes to football, so it’s no surprise that
Wilmington Falls 3-9 to BlueClaws and Cyclones in Back-to-Back Home Series
Now back on the road, the Wilmington Blue Rocks just completed their back-to-back home series. In the 12 total games against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws and Brooklyn Cyclones, Wilmington fell 3-9 and holds the bottom spot in the South Atlantic League North heading into the final two weeks of the
Washington Nationals Farm Report - August 2024
The Wilmington Blue Rocks started August just above .500 with a second-half record of 16-15. With their current spot in the South Atlantic League North, the Blue Rocks are very much in the position to make a postseason run, but how are the other teams within the Washington Nationals’ organization
Opponent Preview: Jersey Shore BlueClaws And Brooklyn Cyclones
After a six-game road trip to take on the Greenville Drive, the Wilmington Blue Rocks are back in Delaware for their longest home stint of the season. They are set to host the Jersey Shore BlueClaws and Brooklyn Cyclones in back-to-back six-game series. At this point in the season, the
The Blue Rocks Triumph in Final Homestand vs Hudson Valley
Fans gathered at Frawley Stadium for the Wilmington Blue Rocks’ third and final homestand against the Hudson Valley Renegades this season. The Blue Rocks were 6-11 against Hudson Valley heading into the series, and managed to improve their record against their South Atlantic Division rivals to 10-13 by winning the
Third Time’s A Charm: The Hudson Valley Renegades Are Coming Back to Wilmington
The Wilmington Blue Rocks are set to host the Hudson Valley Renegades for the third and final time of the 2024 season. In their two homestands and one road trip against the Renegades so far, the Blue Rocks are 6-11.
Fueled by Determination and Doubt
The Wilmington Blue Rocks have had a lot of roster changes throughout the 2024 season, including players coming and going from injuries, promotions, and rehabilitation assignments.
Washington Nationals Farm Report - July 2024
The Wilmington Blue Rocks are hovering just around .500 heading into the middle of July and are fifth in the South Atlantic League North. There have been a lot of roster moves throughout the organization since the start of June. With so much shifting since we last checked in with
Wilmington Wins Four of Six vs Cyclones
The last time the Brooklyn Cyclones came to Wilmington was Opening Weekend. The Wilmington Blue Rocks put on quite the show to kick off the season and swept the New York Mets’ High-A affiliate in the three-game series. Brooklyn returned to Delaware for the first time since then, and the
Celery-brating the Holiday at Home
The Wilmington Blue Rocks hosted the first three games of their six-game split series against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. In the short homestand, the Blue Rocks took two of three to jump ahead before heading on the road to Lakewood. Sunny skies, 33 hits, 19 runs, and one sold-out game
Battle Of Blue Returns To Wilmington
After a six-game away series against the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Wilmington Blue Rocks are back in Delaware to host the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. This marks the first time the BlueClaws, the High-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, visit Wilmington this season. In the two trips the Blue Rocks have
Sink or Swim - Brendan Collins
If you were to look at Brendan Collins’ player biography, you’d find that the Wilmington Blue Rocks’ pitcher played for UNC Greensboro before being drafted. However, as he admits and has come to appreciate, his journey to his professional baseball career is a lot more complicated than it appears on
It’s Heating Up in Wilmington - Homestand Recap vs Aberdeen IronBirds
The Wilmington Blue Rocks hosted the Baltimore Orioles’ High-A affiliate Aberdeen IronBirds at Frawley Stadium for the second time this season. Although Wilmington won three of the first four games, they spit the homestand matchup 3-3. It was an extremely hot start to the summer that came with a lot
The IronBirds Fly Back to Wilmington
The Wilmington Blue Rocks and Aberdeen IronBirds have met in two six-game series so far this year. In the first in Aberdeen, they split the series 3-3, and the Blue Rocks won their second series 4-2 in mid-May at Frawley Stadium. A month later, the High-A affiliate of the Baltimore
Washington Nationals Farm Report - June 2024
With May behind them and June gearing up, the Wilmington Blue Rocks are just below .500 and currently last in the South Atlantic League North. After starting the season at the top, the team has faced everything from multiple rainouts and concurring doubleheaders to injuries and resulting roster changes. How
Hudson Valley Betters Wilmington in Rare Eight-Game Series
After being on the road for two weeks, the Blue Rocks returned to Frawley Stadium to host the Hudson Valley Renegades in a rare, eight-game series. The homestand included two double-headers, a washout storm, and the return of familiar faces. Sammy Infante and Elijah Nunez suited up for Wilmington for
The Return of the Renegades
The Wilmington Blue Rocks are finally coming home after a two-week road trip. They went 2-4 in their series against the Rome Emperors, and 3-3 against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. The Blue Rocks look to get back above .500 with their second homestand against the New York Yankees affiliate
Confidence And Conviction
Many kids aspire to be professional athletes when they grow up, and many others dream of following the career path of their parents. In the rare case of Marquis Grissom Jr, he got to do both. After watching his father live out his dream in the MLB, he paved his
Getting Back On Track
The Wilmington Blue Rocks sat at the top of the South Atlantic League North for the first few weeks of the season. The team’s fall from grace came quickly after getting swept in their recent six-game road trip against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws.
The IronBirds are Flying Northeast to Wilmington
After a difficult road trip to Lakewood, the Blue Rocks look forward to playing where they play best – Frawley Stadium. Wilmington hosts the Aberdeen IronBirds, the High-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, this homestand, marking the second time the two teams have met this year. They split their first
Washington Nationals Farm Report - May 2024
Through a little over a month of baseball, the Wilmington Blue Rocks are above .500 and hold the 2nd spot in the South Atlantic League North. They have held their own as one of the Washington Nationals minor league affiliates, but how are the rest of the organization’s teams doing