NAME: Bryce Rainer
SCHOOL: Harvard Westlake (CA)
POSITION: SS
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-3, 195
B/T: L/R
D.O.B.: 7/3/2005
COMMITTED: Texas
Draft Scouting Report
Bryce Rainer will be 19-years-old on draft day which will dissuade multiple teams from selecting him but his age remains one of the few negatives about his scouting profile. The teenager will ultimately become the next player drafted from the renowned Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, California. Harvard-Westlake is an independent, co-educational university preparatory day school. There are 1,600 students enrolled in grades seven through 12.
Big league starters Jack Flaherty (Detroit Tigers), Max Fried (Atlanta Braves) and Lucas Giolito (Boston Red Sox) all attended the school and their pitching coach was current White Sox’s pitching coach Ethan Katz. Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong attended the school as well. Other prominent alumni include: Jason and Jarron Collins (Former NBA Players), Lily Collins (Star of Emily in Paris), Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal (Actors), Mark Harmon (Actor), Jason Reitman (Golden Globe winning director for Up In The Air), Jason Segal (Star of Comedy classic, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and finally Shirley Temple.
It’ll be difficult for Rainer to become the most famous alum from Harvard-Westlake but he looks like he’ll be the fifth first rounder out of Harvard-Westlake in the bonus pool era. The 6-3, 195 pounder is ranked as the #10 overall prospect in the class for MLB Pipeline and Baseball America. The latter publication noted that the California prep is a “legit day one talent as a pitcher and hitter” but he’ll focus on hitting as a professional. Rainer’s swing can get long but the outlet wrote that he shows a “solid mix of hitting ability, power and defensive actions”. As far as the theoretical pitching prowess, the report noted that the 18-year-old possesses an “easy delivery and clean operation on the mound” while displaying a 95-96 mph fastball. Rainer throws an above-average curveball as well.
Pipeline noted that Rainer was seen as an “exciting two-way player” but also report that he’ll be a position player as a professional. Rainer was great on the showcase circuit while he pitched and hit for USA Baseball’s 18U international team. Rainer was also the best player at the National High School Invitational this spring. The publication also wrote that the infielder “put on size and got faster” this spring. The left-handed hitter possesses a strong and protectable frame and he makes consistent hard contact.
Rainer drives the ball to all fields and registered the top exit velocities at NHSI. He doesn’t strikeout often and he rarely chases out of the zone. The California product projects for plus power in the future with the ability to stay at shortstop. Defensively, he has shown a plus arm with plus run times and could be a Gold Glove caliber defender at third base if a move becomes necessary. Pipeline put 60 grades on his power and arm and noted that he’s received comparisons to current Texas Rangers’ shortstop Corey Seager.
I wasn't able to make it out to NHSI today, but have some slow-mo film of Bryce Rainer to show off.
— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) April 11, 2024
Recorded two opposite-field doubles in yesterday's game that nearly got out. Really smooth swing with burgeoning pop. Pitched today and was up to 95 MPH, too. First-round talent. pic.twitter.com/BkP0Xtw8Al
Why Would the White Sox Draft Bryce Rainer?
Under the guidance of scouting director Mike Shirley, the White Sox haven’t been afraid to select high school players. This will be the fifth draft under this leadership and they’ve taken prep players in the first round in two of those drafts. Bryce Rainer and Mississippi’s Konnor Griffin are universally regarded as the top prep hitters in the class and White Sox scouts have covered the pair extensively. Our Steve Hasman wrote about Griffin recently in the first version of this series.
The White Sox have made some development gains this year in regards to their pitching infrastructure. The system could really use an influx of bats however. It’s also easy to realize that organizations can never have enough shortstops. Spending top five picks on up-the-middle talent generally makes sense. Bryce Rainer would immediately become one of the better prospects in the system. The White Sox also aren’t likely to be swayed by Rainer’s age. The franchise used the 22nd overall pick in the 2021 draft on 19-year-old high schooner Colson Montgomery, who has since climbed into the top 15 overall prospects in the game.
Bonus pools also come into play during the MLB Draft as well. The White Sox have $15.3 million to spend on talent in this draft and the selection at #5 overall comes with a slot of $7,763,700. It’s unlikely that the franchise will be paying someone full slot at #5 overall in this draft class. The White Sox signed Jacob Gonzalez to an underslot deal in 2023 and used some of the savings on outfielder George Wolkow and lefty Christian Oppor. Depending on where Rainer might get drafted ultimately, it could influence his asking price. Savings would allow the club to spend more money throughout the 2024 draft.
Mock Draft Outcomes
In Mock Draft 2.0 here at FutureSox, I predicted that the White Sox would take shortstop Bryce Rainer with the fifth overall pick. Over at MLB Pipeline this week, Jonathan Mayo mocked Rainer to the Washington Nationals at #10 overall but he noted that the Royals have interest as well. In his previous mock draft for the publication, Jim Callis sent the California prep to Kansas City at #6 overall. In my initial five round projection for the White Sox as well, I detailed specifically why Rainer could be a fit for the White Sox too. In Mock Draft 2.0 at Prospects Live, the crew sent the California prep to the Pittsburgh Pirates with the 9th overall pick.
SS Bryce Rainer got bigger, stronger and faster this spring. He's getting flocks of scouts in. He'll be represented highly on Monday's Top 300 update.
— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) March 14, 2024
Also in this video? OF James Tronstein. A name you need to know. Our No. 16 overall prep for 2026.pic.twitter.com/iPDMtGd5Ol
Carlos Collazo at Baseball America linked Bryce Rainer to the Kansas City Royals with the 6th overall pick as well. He noted that the club is heavily linked to prep talent but wrote that Rainer is the “preferred target and the likely top prep off the board”. Kiley McDaniel of ESPN mocked Rainer to the Washington Nationals at #10 overall and noted that they’ve notoriously taken prep players. Keith Law of The Athletic predicted that the Detroit Tigers would take Rainer with the 11th overall pick. Joe Doyle of Future Stars Series mocked Rainer to the St. Louis Cardinals in Mock Draft 5.0 but he noted that the White Sox have interest at #5 as well.
I would love it if picked either high schooler.