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Tigers Prospect File: Bryce Rainer, SS — Exit-Velo Thunder at 19

Nineteen-year-old Bryce Rainer is quickly becoming the crown jewel of the Detroit Tigers farm system, combining a .292/.402/.492 slash line at Low-A Lakeland with Statcast readings you rarely see from a teenage shortstop. The first-round pick already ranks No. 47 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100, and his blend of thunderous exit velocities and smooth middle-infield actions has analysts projecting a steep climb when the prospect lists refresh this summer.

Player Snapshot

Bats/Throws: L/R

Height/Weight 6′ 3″ 195LBS

Age 19

Level Single-A Lakeland

Slash .292 / .402 / .492

Future Value 55 (above-avg regular)

Top 100 No. 47

Tigers No. 3

Hit Power Run Arm Field

50 60 55 55 50

Grade explanation: 50 = MLB average, 60 = plus.

Stats via Bryce Rainer Stats: Statcast, Visuals & Advanced Metrics | baseballsavant.com

Under the Hood

90th-pct EV: 108.2 mph

Hard-hit rate: 57.4 % (Low-A average 36 %)

Chase on breakers: 42 % (needs <30 %)

Development Checklist

Reduce chase on spin to below 30 %.

Refine backhand footwork; throwing errors on deep 6-hole plays.

Add situational bunting reps (org priority).

Projected Path

2025 (June) ► High-A West Michigan

2026 ► Double-A Erie

2027 (mid) ► Triple-A Toledo / MLB cup-of-coffee

Best-Case MLB Comp

J.P. Crawford body with pre-injury Corey Seager bat speed; ceiling 25-HR shortstop if the hit tool settles at 55.

“He’s a player, man — a ballplayer.”

—Rene Rivera, Lakeland manager

Fan Poll

Sources: MLB Pipeline rankings (May 2025), Statcast data from Lakeland home games, interviews with Lakeland staff. Article drafted with AI assistance and fact-checked by DSN editorial.

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