- Full name Bryce Rainer
- Born 07/03/2005 in Simi Valley, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: L / Throws: R
- School Harvard-Westlake
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Drafted in the 1st round (11th overall) by the Detroit Tigers in 2024 (signed for $5,797,500).
View Draft Report
School: Harvard-Westlake HS, Studio City, Calif.
Commit/Drafted: Texas
Age At Draft: 19
BA Grade: 60/Extreme
Tools: Hit: 50. Power: 60. Run: 40. Field: 55. Arm: 70. Fastball: 60. Curveball: 60. Changeup: 40. Control: 50.
Rainer used an excellent spring season to catapult himself up the draft board. Now, he has a chance to be the first high school player selected in a draft class that is top heavy with college players. A 6-foot-3, 195-pound, lefthanded-hitting shortstop, Rainer has legitimate upside as a hitter and pitcher, but his preference to play the field—as well as his improved hit tool—give him more upside in the batter’s box. He has a sound approach at the plate with big raw power that should become plus in the future. Scouts marvel at Rainer’s ability to backspin the ball to the opposite field, though he has a history of some swing-and-miss concerns with a swing that can get a bit lengthy at times. He performed at a high enough clip this spring in Southern California to provide confidence that he will reach at least an average hit tool. Rainer is a fluid defender at shortstop with reliable hands and a 70-grade arm that is probably his best tool. It’s a real weapon that gives him additional range in light of his below-average speed. His arm will play at third base if he outgrows shortstop. If Rainer preferred pitching, many teams would have him as a first-round talent there as well. He has an easy delivery and arm action, a plus fastball in the mid 90s, a hammer curveball that could be plus and the athleticism for average or better command. Rainer is committed to Texas but should become the fifth first-rounder of the bonus pool era out of Harvard-Westlake, joining Pete Crow-Armstrong, Jack Flaherty, Max Fried and Lucas Giolito.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade: 60/Extreme
Track Record: Rainer used an excellent spring season to catapult himself up the draft board.
Scouting Report: A 6-foot-3, 195-pound, lefthanded-hitting shortstop, Rainer has legitimate upside as a hitter and pitcher, but his preference to play the field—as well as his improved hit tool—give him more upside in the batter’s box. He has a sound approach at the plate with big raw power that should become plus in the future. Scouts marvel at Rainer’s ability to backspin the ball to the opposite field, though he has a history of some swing-and-miss concerns with a swing that can get a bit lengthy at times. He performed at a high enough clip this spring in Southern California to provide confidence that he will reach at least an average hit tool. Rainer is a fluid defender at shortstop with reliable hands and a 70-grade arm that is probably his best tool. It’s a real weapon that gives him additional range in light of his below-average speed. His arm will play at third base if he outgrows shortstop. If Rainer preferred pitching, many teams would have him as a first-round talent there as well. He has an easy delivery and arm action, a plus fastball in the mid 90s, a hammer curveball that could be plus and the athleticism for average or better command.
The Future: Rainer was committed to Texas but became the fifth first-rounder of the bonus pool era out of Harvard-Westlake, joining Pete Crow-Armstrong, Jack Flaherty, Max Fried and Lucas Giolito.
Scouting Grades:Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 55 | Arm: 70.
Top 100 Rankings
Scouting Reports
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School: Harvard-Westlake HS, Studio City, Calif. Committed: Texas
Age At Draft: 19.0
Rainer is one of the most advanced two-way players in the high school class, and is a legitimate day one draft talent as both a shortstop and righthanded pitcher. Listed at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, Rainer has a long and rangy frame with a solid mix of hitting ability, power and defensive actions. He has a sound approach at the plate and could project for 20-plus more home runs as he continues to fill out, though his swing can get lengthy and he will need to make more contact to get to that power projection. He’s a fluid defender with double-plus arm strength in the infield, though he’s big enough that he might slide over to third base in the future. While Rainer has spent more of his high school career as a hitter and shortstop, some scouts prefer his pro upside on the mound. He has a remarkably easy delivery and clean operation and throws 95-96 mph fastballs with shocking ease. Rainer also spins an above-average curveball in the 79-83 mph range with impressive depth, has flashed a low-80s changeup and has a chance for above-average control with more reps. He’s committed to Texas but could be the fifth first-round pick out of Harvard-Westlake in the bonus pool era: joining Pete Crow-Armstrong, Jack Flaherty, Max Fried and Lucas Giolito.
