The Detroit Tigers have promoted a pair of top prospects at the lower levels of the minor leagues.
Those two prospects?
Bryce Rainer and Jordan Yost.
The Tigers promoted 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 the Low-A level, while Yost hadn’t yet begun 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.
In 2026, Rainer hit .167 with one home run, six walks and 20 strikeouts in 11 games for Low-A Lakeland. He hits the ball hard, but he 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.
In 2025, Rainer played 35 games for Low-A Lakeland.
His season ended in June, undergoing season-ending right shoulder surgery.
Rainer disclosed his shoulder while diving back into first base on a pickoff attempt. Before the injury, he hit. 288 with five home runs, 20 walks and 33 strikeouts, posting a 22.1% strikeout rate.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers prospects Bryce Rainer, Jordan Yost promoted in minor leagues