Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

Listen to coaches, scouts and staff describe Pierce long enough, and you’ll realize that some of the commonly held beliefs about coach’s kids just might be true. Pierce’s father, Paul -- no, not the former NBA star, although LeBron James once made that mistake on social media -- was his coach at Mill Creek HS in Hoschton, Ga. Pierce was his dad’s best player and exactly what you’d expect, given his background: a sponge for knowledge, a tireless worker and someone who gets the most out of his ability. The Rays liked what they saw in terms of his physical ability and makeup, prying him away from a Georgia commitment with a $4,313,100 bonus as the 14th overall pick in 2025.

Pierce is generally regarded as a well-rounded player, not your typical showcase star. He has a mature, all-fields, contact-oriented approach at the plate. The right-handed hitter controls the strike zone well and doesn’t necessarily sell out for power, although he should grow into more pop as he continues to grow and add strength. He put on some muscle in his first professional offseason, and the Rays saw encouragingly early leaps in his exit velocity readings heading into his debut season.

If there is one standout tool at Pierce’s disposal, it’s his plus speed. He runs well enough to project as a future stolen-base threat, and he uses his natural athleticism at shortstop. He’s a confident, aggressive defender there with good hands, range, actions and arm strength. He still needs to improve his body control, but that’s to be expected of someone his age. Pierce draws rave reviews for his competitiveness, makeup and work ethic. He’s tried to model his game after Bobby Witt Jr., and while he may not reach that level of superstardom, he could develop into an all-around impact player.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

Mill Creek HS (Hoschton, Ga.) promoted Paul Pierce (not the former Celtics star) from assistant to head coach, and his son was his best player in his first season. Daniel fit 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 climbed the pre-Draft rankings throughout the spring. The Rays selected the former Georgia commit with the 14th overall pick and signed him for $4,313,100.

Pierce has a mature approach at the plate and focuses on making contact to all fields with his quick right-handed stroke. 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.

Pierce has plus speed and the instincts to make the most of his quickness on the bases and in the field. He has nice actions at shortstop, range to both sides and solid arm strength. Scouts loved his makeup and noted that he kept getting stronger and faster before he joined the Tampa Bay pipeline.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

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. 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 has a mature approach at the plate and focuses on making contact to all fields with his quick right-handed stroke. 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.

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.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	SS Daniel Pierce assigned to Tampa Bay Rays Prospects.
	08/04/2025	FCL Rays activated SS Daniel Pierce.
	07/24/2025	SS Daniel Pierce assigned to FCL Rays.
	07/23/2025	Tampa Bay Rays signed SS Daniel Pierce.
	05/26/2025	College Workout activated SS Daniel Pierce.
	06/30/2024	High School Workout activated SS Daniel Pierce.