Tanner Chleborad pitched in Peoria, Ariz. this weekend with Big Sky Baseball. (Photo courtesy of John Chleborad)

350 scouts attend the West’s top baseball showcase

Last spring a tall, lanky, baby-faced, and soft-spoken Tanner Chleborad came into the Legion baseball season as Rapid City Post 22’s number two pitcher. Few people were talking about him other than to say he was a solid, young, number two.

Things have changed.

For baseball people, the fact that Chleborad is now the most recruited baseball player in South Dakota (arguably the most recruited athlete in the state) is not surprising. The upside potential is clear to see: 6 foot 5 inches, only 175 pounds, a fluid arm motion, incredible control, a fastball in the mid to upper eighties, and a solid second pitch.

It doesn’t take a scout’s eye to do the baseball math. If Chleborad puts on 15 to 20 pounds and develops his mechanics with a top-notch pitching coach, his fastball will reach 90 mph plus. All of this adds up to a Division I and draftable pitching prospect. He hasn’t yet put on the 15 pounds, and he’ll be the first to tell you that he has a lot to learn on the mound. But it is his demeanor under pressure, and the fact that he knows how to pitch, combined with his upside physical attributes, that has college coaches and a few pro scouts knocking at his door.

Evidence lies in the schools who have made contact with Chleborad: Wichita State, Washington State, Washington, Arizona, Kansas State, Arkansas State, Nevada, Oral Roberts, Gonzaga, Portland, Central Missouri State, Iowa Western, Southern Nevada, Western Nevada, Central Arizona, Yakima Valley, Treasure Valley, and Feather River Calif..

This weekend Chleborad had the opportunity to showcase his skills in front of a few scouts and college coaches. And by a few I mean 350 at the Arizona Fall Classic in Peoria, Ariz.. Chleborad and Post 22 teammate Jake Bohne traveled to Arizona as members of Big Sky Baseball, a fall traveling baseball team based out of Montana.

The Arizona Classic is the premier showcase for high school aged players in the western United States. It is one-stop shopping for scouts, essentially the Wal-Mart of high school baseball talent.

“This is where it all comes together for the fall season,” said Big Sky and Post 22 coach Mitch Messer. “It is a different deal than the [American Legion National] Regional Tournament. It is an individual pressure rather than a team pressure. It is non-stop conversations with these coaches and scouts, and I think the guys handled it very well.”

Chleborad pitched last Friday against the Mariners scout team, a traveling all-star team made up some of the top players in the northwest part of the country. The team had eight players being heavily recruited by Division I baseball programs.

Chleborad went six innings on the mound allowing three hits, three runs (two earned), fanned four, and walked one. His velocity on the radar gun was between 84-86 and he topped out at 88 mph. He faced 25 batters, and threw 20 first pitch strikes.

“It was pretty crazy, I’ve never seen that many scouts in my life. I think about every fifth person was a spectator,” said Chleborad. “I was trying not to pay attention to all the radar guns. I didn’t want to work myself up, but there were a lot of them. My focus was just hitting spots and making outs.”

According to Messer, Chleborad had a strong outing and received many inquiries.

“He threw well. Tanner is a smart  pitcher and that impressed people,” said Messer. “He moved in and out, up and down. He made one mistake and got the ball up. At this level, hitters often times take advantage of one mistake. It was good for Tanner to learn from that.”

Chleborad now holds the cards when it comes to his baseball future. It is dealer-in-hand and he is choosing the game. The offers will start coming in the following months, and he has plenty of time to make his decision. As of today he is ranking the schools as follows: 1. Washington State 2. Washington 3. Kansas State 4. Wichita State.

“I’m reading about the schools, going on their internet sites, and just trying to learn as much as possible about them,” said Chleborad. “It’s too early to make any decisions. Right now, I’m just focused on getting better.”

Several Major League scouts have also inquired about Chleborad, and the possibility that he will be drafted next summer is increasing by the day. After a long summer of Legion baseball and now fall baseball with Big Sky, Chleborad will get some much needed rest this winter.

Check back to the Inside Dakota Sports Recruiting Blog for updates on Chleborad and other top area athletes.