Tampa Bay Rays select Georgia SS commit Daniel Pierce in 2025 MLB Draft

Georgia shortstop commit Daniel Pierce was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. He now has the option to begin his pro career.

“Mill Creek HS (Hoschton, Ga.) has promoted Paul Pierce from assistant to head coach, and his son will be his best player in his first season,” Pierce’s MLB scouting report reads. “Daniel fits the classic coach’s son profile as a scrappy grinder who provides constant energy and gets the most out of his tools. He’s not short on physical ability, either, and could fit in the first round.”

Pierce played his high school baseball at Mill Creek in Georgia. He opted to stay close to home in the event he played college baseball. Now, he’ll have a grand decision to make.

“Pierce has a mature approach at the plate and focuses on making contact to all fields with his quick right-handed stroke,” the scouting report on Pierce continued. “He has a history of producing against quality pitching in high school and on the showcase circuit, controlling the strike zone and not trying to swing for the fences. He has average raw power and should develop into a 15-homer threat as he continues to add muscle.

Daniel Pierce selected in 2025 MLB Draft

“Pierce has plus speed and the instincts to make the most of his quickness on the bases and in the field. The Georgia recruit has nice actions at shortstop, range to both sides and solid arm strength. Scouts love his makeup and note that he keeps getting stronger, faster and rising up Draft boards.”

Pierce has received comparisons to Bobby Witt Jr. The Kansas City Royals star was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.

“Just the way he hustles,” Pierce said of what he enjoys watching most about Witt Jr. “I just like the way that he plays the game hard and he knows he has game-changing speed, so he’s always putting it on display and trying to make things happen.”