Bryce Rainer, a shortstop from Harvard-Westlake High, was taken No. 11 overall by the Detroit Tigers in Sunday’s Major League Baseball amateur draft.
He comes from the school that has produced first-round draft picks Pete Crow-Armstrong, Jack Flaherty, Max Fried and Lucas Giolito. His coach, Jared Halpert, calls Rainer, “the best high school baseball player I’ve ever seen.”
The recommended draft slot bonus for No. 11 is $5,712,100.
As a freshman, Rainer was primarily used as a pitcher and went 9-0 when Harvard-Westlake won the Southern Section Division 1 championship. He didn’t pitch as a sophomore in 2022 as he started to focus on his hitting while playing third base and outfield. The last two years, he has played shortstop and pitched in relief.
The best player in the class of 2024 in California. Bryce Rainer. He has grown to 6-4, gained 15 pounds and his bullpen sessions have been off the charts as he returns to the mound in 2023. Catch him before MLB takes him away. pic.twitter.com/jVDjpVO3zP
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) December 3, 2022
His senior season was marked by consistency and a growth in maturity. He had 49 hits, a .505 batting average and nine saves as a closer in helping the Wolverines reach the Division 1 championship game.
“He really just buried himself in the team this year,” Halpert said of Rainer.
Rainer received the news of his selection while watching from his home in Simi Valley with family and friends.
He’s 6 feet 3, hits left-handed and has a powerful arm.
After the first round was completed, pitcher Braylon Doughty from Chaparral was taken No. 36 by the Cleveland Guardians and pitcher Levi Sterling from Sherman Oaks Notre Dame was chosen No. 37 by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In the second round, pitcher Boston Bateman from Camarillo was taken by the Padres at No. 52. Corona ace left-hander and UCLA commit Ethan Schiefelbein went No. 72 to the Detroit Tigers. Former JSerra pitcher Gage Jump was taken No. 73 by the Athletics.