According to Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com (X link), the Tigers and Bryce Rainer, a first-round pick, have reached an agreement on a $5.8 million bonus. That is just a hair over the estimated $5.71 million slot value for the eleventh overall selection.
Rainer, a 6-foot-3 Southern California high school shortstop, had committed to the University of Texas. In a first round dominated by college players, he was the second prep player off the board (Pittsburg chose Konnor Griffin at No. 9). In the class, Rainer was possibly the most gifted high school student. The left-handed hitter is the sixth overall draft prospect and the finest high school prospect, according to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel. According to pre-draft rankings from Baseball America, FanGraphs, and The Athletic’s Keith Law, he was ranked ninth or tenth.
Evaluators recognize Rainer’s potential for significant power and his ability to remain on the left side of the infield. Scouting reports consistently highlight his excellent arm strength, which would be effective at third base even if he outgrows shortstop. However, there are concerns about his hitting skills—Law mentions that Rainer lacks great bat speed and struggles with high velocity pitching—but there’s considerable potential if he can remain at shortstop and achieve 20-plus home runs annually.
Detroit currently has five prospects in Baseball America’s latest Top 100 update, including three players (Jackson Jobe, Max Clark, and Kevin McGonigle) in the top 30. While Rainer might not immediately rank in the upper half of that list, he brings additional high-upside talent to their farm system.
