Hey, baseball fans! Big news coming out of Detroit—brace yourselves for an exciting update about the Tigers and their latest star signing! The Tigers have nabbed shortstop Bryce Rainer, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft, with an over-slot bonus. Let’s dive into the juicy details and see why everyone’s buzzing about this move.
First off, let's talk numbers. Bryce Rainer, a 19-year-old lefty hitter from Harvard-Westlake School in sunny California, has signed on the dotted line with the Tigers for a whopping $5.8 million bonus. Now, to put that in perspective, the slot value for the No. 11 pick was $5,712,100. So, Rainer is walking away with an extra $87,900 in his pocket! Not too shabby, right?
Rainer's excitement was palpable when he was selected by the Tigers. "It was kind of like all the Christmases growing up all put into one," he gushed on July 14. "I'm still kind of in a state of shock. It still doesn't really feel real." Imagine that—a young guy with a dream, suddenly catapulted into the big leagues. That's what makes baseball so thrilling!
Bryce Rainer isn’t the only new face in the Tigers’ lineup. As of Monday afternoon, the Tigers have inked deals with eight of their 21 picks. Here’s a quick rundown of the new recruits:
- Owen Hall, right-hander (second round)
- Josh Randall, right-hander (third round)
- Michael Massey, right-hander (fourth round)
- Jack Penney, shortstop (fifth round)
- Woody Hadeen, shortstop (sixth round)
- Ethan Sloan, left-hander (eighth round)
- R.J. Sales, right-hander (10th round)
Owen Hall, another promising addition, is an 18-year-old right-hander from Edmond North High School in Oklahoma. He’s decided to skip his commitment to Vanderbilt and go pro with the Tigers, signing for a $1.75 million bonus. This is a bit under the slot value of $1,893,700 for the No. 49 pick, but hey, the Tigers see his potential and so do we!
There’s still one notable absence from the signed roster—Ethan Schiefelbein. This left-hander was snagged with the No. 72 overall pick in Competitive Balance Round B. An 18-year-old with a commitment to UCLA, Schiefelbein is the only pick within the first six rounds yet to finalize his deal. Will he sign, or will he head to college ball first? Only time will tell!
Now, let’s circle back to our main man, Bryce Rainer. This kid’s senior season stats are nothing short of impressive. Playing at Harvard-Westlake, he hit a stunning .505, knocked out four home runs, drew 28 walks, and struck out just 14 times over 33 games. Oh, and did I mention he stole 17 bases out of 18 attempts? Yeah, he's got wheels too!
Rainer had committed to play college ball at Texas before the Tigers came knocking with that irresistible pro contract. And now, he’s set to make his debut appearance at Comerica Park on Friday. Detroit fans, mark your calendars!
It’s worth noting that Rainer’s signing bonus news first broke thanks to MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo. Shoutout to Mayo for keeping us all in the loop.
This signing spree shows the Tigers are serious about building a strong future. With young talents like Rainer and Hall, along with the other new recruits, there’s a lot to be excited about. So, whether you’re a die-hard fan or just catching up, keep your eyes on the Tigers—they’re making some bold moves that could pay off big time in the seasons to come!
And there you have it! The Tigers are stacking their roster with promising young talent, and Bryce Rainer is right at the forefront of this new wave. Let's get ready to watch these rookies shine and see where this exciting journey takes them. Play ball!
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