Have you ever watched a Major League Baseball (MLB) live draft? My family and I were privileged to attend a live draft party for my cousin, Bryce. I’ve been really excited that my cousin, Bryce Rainer, would be heading to play baseball in the major leagues. He has played baseball since he was a young kid like me.
The MLB draft happens once a year. All of the teams pick their future players. Most of them come from colleges in the United States, but Bryce, 19, had just graduated high school. He was actually playing on a baseball scholarship for his high school. He was projected to be picked by a team early in the first round of the draft.
The first round of the MLB Draft was on Sunday, July 14. My family and I were invited to California to go to a party where everyone would watch the draft and hear what team Bryce was picked for and celebrate him. The MLB draft was live on television from Texas and Bryce was invited to be there in person, but he chose to be home with his family and friends. Everyone was so excited for Bryce and he even had his name and initials all over a big sign on a wall. It was amazing how many people were there. They had a camera set up to film Bryce watching the TV and get his reaction to the big news. I was feeling very excited!
Bryce ended up being picked to play for the Detroit Tigers. After the draft I was able to ask Bryce how he felt waiting to hear his name announced. “Before the draft I was more excited than nervous, I think since it’s something I worked for my whole life so there is no reason to be nervous,” says Bryce. He says that it was an emotional experience for him. “When I heard my name called I think I was the happiest I’ve been in my life so far, and seeing all my friends and family there to experience it with me as well made it even better.”
Bryce says life has change since being drafted. He has went from living with his parents, to being on his own and becoming an adult. He doesn’t think he will play in any games this year because the minor league season is ending soon, but after spring training next year the Detroit Tigers will decide what minor league team he will play on.
