Hawaii transfer RHP Kaysen Raineri felt at home at Texas Tech
Always on the hunt for more pitching, Texas Tech baseball added an intriguing arm earlier this offseason in former Hawaii right handed pitcher Kaysen Raineri.
Raineri entered the transfer portal after a rough freshman season at Hawaii, but he possesses good stuff (FB 92-95) and was highly thought of coming out of Great Oak HS in California. In fact, he was a 2024 Perfect Game Preseason All-American and two-time preseason underclass All-American as a sophomore and junior.
At Hawaii he made just six appearances and pitched a total of 2.2 innings, giving up five hits, nine runs and four walks with two strikeouts for an unsightly ERA of 30.37.
Things went much better for Raineri pitching for the Rockford Rivets in the Northwoods League this summer, as he totaled 25.2 innings while giving up only nine earned runs, good for a ERA of 3.16.
“Honestly when I entered the portal I didn’t know what recruitment would look like. I was recruited well out of high school, but after the year at Hawaii I didn’t know what was in the cards. I decided to bet on myself and go compete in the Northwoods, and started getting some good attention. Once Tech reached out I was able to narrow it down, and they were right at the top. After coming and seeing the place, and great talks with coaches, family and everyone else involved, I knew it had to be Tech.”
Raineri connects with Texas Tech staff on visit
From head coach Tim Tadlock to lead assistant J-Bob Thomas, to new additions in pitching coach Steve Foster and Director of Pitching Development Steve Merriman, the entire Texas Tech staff made Raineri feel “at home” in Lubbock, TX.
“It was great to meet Coach Tadlock in person after some phone calls in the portal, and had a great time getting to know him and all the coaches on a more personal level. Coach Thomas has been very helpful through navigating all that I need to do, and honestly the whole staff has been great to me so far. I’m super pumped to get out there and get to work with Coach Foster and Coach Merriman.
The visit at Tech was awesome. Definitely the most home-like feeling I got out of the portal. The facilities are outstanding, and checked all of the boxes and more. The staff was great and very welcoming. One thing that stood out was how nice and connected everyone in Lubbock was. Between conversations with people at the hotel, and even at the airport it was clear that the community supports the program and school.”
Raineri willing to do whatever to help the team win
Coming into a brand new situation with new teammates and coaches, the 6-foot-1, 215 pound Raineri says he’s willing to do anything for the betterment of the team. He’s also going to be counting on those new teammates and coaches to be the best version of himself.
“I think Texas Tech fans can expect a competitor that is willing to do whatever it takes for the team to succeed. I’m just excited to get to work with my teammates and this staff, and compete this year.
I hope these next few years at Texas Tech I am able to be the best version of myself on and off the field with the help of my teammates and coaches.”
