Tiger announces shortstop Bryce RainerThis is the club’s first-round pick in the 2024 draft, and will miss the rest of the season after surgery to dislocate his right shoulder. Rainer is expected to be ready for spring training, but his first professional season will be shortened after just 35 games against A-Level Lakeland.
The injury occurred last Tuesday when Rainer returned to first base in a catch attempt. After the drama, Reiner immediately evacuated from the game, and over the past few days, Rainer got multiple opinions from the doctor before finally deciding to undergo surgery on the shoulder. It was a tough result for the 19-year-old, who hit .288/.383/.448 in 149 sets in Lakeland.
Rainer’s impressive performance will only continue to improve his already high stock. In the July draft last year, Rainer ranked 29th in the latest 100 prospects list of American Baseball and 44th in the current rankings of MLB Pipeline. Rainer’s early results at Lakeland showed that it was considered to have greater power potential than purely hitting potential, indicating that the overall approach of the board improved.
The prospects of Detroit Max Clark and Kevin McGonigle Sitting ahead of Rainer in both rankings, it proves the strength of the Tigers’ farm system, especially a promising glimpse into the club’s future infield. McGonigle and Rainer are both shortstops, although Rainer has stronger throwing arms and is generally considered a better outfielder, so McGonigle may be the possibility of eventually migrating to second base in both. Rainer’s arm may also make him a candidate for third base, although such considerations may be put on hold until we see how Rainer’s right arm recovers from the surgery.
