The Detroit Tigers have promoted a pair of top prospects at the lower levels of the minor leagues.
The Tigers moved up Bryce Rainer to High-A West Michigan and Jordan Yost to Low-A Lakeland, making the roster moves Monday, April 20. Rainer had been playing at Lakeland, while Yost hadn’t yet started his professional career.
The Tigers selected Rainer with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2024 draft out of Harvard-Westlake High School in Los Angeles, and Yost with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2025 draft out of Sickles High School in Tampa.
Both players are left-handed-hitting shortstops.
Rainer ranks as the Tigers’ No. 3 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. He trails only shortstop Kevin McGonigle (No. 1) and center fielder Max Clark (No. 2) on the top-30 list.
Yost ranks as the No. 9 prospect in the organization.
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In 2026, Rainer hit .167 with one home run, six walks and 20 strikeouts in 11 games for Lakeland. He hits the ball hard, but struggled with a terrible 40.8% strikeout rate, possibly because of a leg kick and excess hand movement as part of an awkward-looking swing.
His swing mechanics changed drastically from 2025 to 2026.
Back in 2025, right shoulder surgery ended Rainer’s season in early June.
He dislocated his shoulder while diving back into first base on a pickoff attempt. Before the injury, he hit .288 in 35 games with five home runs, 20 walks and 33 strikeouts, posting a 22.1% strikeout rate.
The Tigers signed Rainer to a $5.8 million bonus.
Yost signed for a $3.25 million bonus.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers promote prospects Bryce Rainer, Jordan Yost in minor leagues
Reporting by Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
