MLB Pipeline Mocks Big Prep Shortstop to Pirates

MLB Pipeline released its latest 2024 MLB mock draft and has the Pittsburgh Pirates dipping into the high school ranks to grab a shortstop.

Pipeline projects the Pirates to select Bryce Rainer out of Harvard-Westlake in California. He’s considered the 10th-best prospect available in this year’s draft.

Rainer, who turns 19 in July, stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 195 pounds. He’s committed to play collegiately at the University of Texas.

Jonathan Mayo, who is responsible for Pipeline’s latest mock draft, mentioned a four-time All-Star and two-time World Series MVP when explaining the pick,

“He’s a big, left-handed-hitting shortstop, so of course he gives off Corey Seager vibes.”

Rainer presents an intriguing option for several reasons, most notably his plus-power and plus-arm. He also possesses above-average hit and run tools and projects to be at least an adequate defender if he sticks at shortstop as a professional.

In addition to standing out on the position-player side of things, Rainer has impressed during his time on the mound, though shortstop is the expected route as he moves to the next level.

Harvard-Westlake has turned into a factory for producing MLB players of late. Active players who graduated from the high school are \ outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (Cubs) and pitchers Jack Flaherty (Tigers), Max Fried (Braves) and Lucas Giolito (Red Sox).

Ben Cherington has once taken a prep player in the first round as Pirates’ general manager when Termarr Johnson was selected fourth in 2022. Cherington’s other three first-round draft picks have all come from college — Nick Gonzales (2020), Henry Davis (2021) and Paul Skenes (2023).

The full mock draft can be found HERE.