RHP Tanner Effertz (Whitnall, 2026) is a raw yet offers a supreme ceiling on the mound, also one of the top high school quarterbacks in the state. Standing at a physical and still projectable 6-foot-4 frame with a athletic delivery and stuff that consistently beats hitters when in the zone. The fastball has routinely worked up into the low-90s while also showing feel to throw two different and firm breaking balls, the feel for the curveball in our looks has stood out as his go-to secondary pitch.

We recently had the chance to talk to Tanner's about his recruitment process, along with some other fun topics, below. 

Our Q&A 

Prep Baseball: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Tanner: I was looking for somewhere that could develop me as pitcher. I felt I was very new to pitching and had a lot of room to grow so somewhere where I could really develop as a pitcher was key.  

PB: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

T: It is close to home, and has had some success in developing good arms with a number getting drafted out of their program.

PB: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

T: Start the recruitment process earlier than you think. Also it doesn’t hurt to reach out the worst thing someone says is no.   

PB: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

T: Not necessarily Milwaukee was just one of my better offers and higher level. 

PB: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

T: Over my junior summer is when things really started to heat up. This was really my second year actually pitching and I started to get more looks. Also after Senior Future games a lot of schools started to reach out.    

PB: Was there a particular Prep Baseball tournament or showcase that helped accelerate your recruiting process? If yes, how so?

T: Senior future games exposed me to a lot of schools and got me in contact with a majority of the schools I went through the recruiting process with.

PB: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

T: Bradley, Iowa western, and I was talking a lot with Virgina Tech.    

PB: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

T: Dominic Santarelli is by far the best player I have faced. Going against him all winter in training is a challenge because his bat is so good.   

PB: If you could steal any tool or quality from another player in the state, what would it be and who would it be from?

T: Cal Schneider's command, I feel like if I could locate my stuff better than I would be a pretty tough to hit.   

PB: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?

T: Lucas Weber     

PB: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

T: When I first started to throw not as a catcher and train velocity. Pulling down 92 sophomore winter was huge and was turning point for what I really focused on.    

PB: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

T: Getting that first college for to play division one baseball. It was always a dream to play either football or baseball in college and finding the right fit at the next level playing one of those sports is a huge relief.  

PB: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

T: I think we will be good we have to good arms in Lucas Weber and Luke Parkinson. Our pitching staff will be pretty good, especially after losing some of our seniors. 

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