Tanner Chleborad pitching at the Central Plains Regional this past summer for Rapid City Post 22. (Photo Jake Nordbye)
Rapid City Stevens senior and Post 22 ace pitcher Tanner Chleborad told Inside Dakota Sports on Wednesday that he will commit to a college during the NCAA “early signing period” which starts Nov. 12 and ends on Nov. 18. He is considering four colleges which were all in the top 25 in the country in NCAA Division I baseball last season.
After going 10-3 on the mound this summer for Post 22, including a win in the National Regional Tournament, Chleborad had an outstanding fall season for Big Sky Baseball in which he pitched in front of 350 plus scouts at various showcases for the traveling team based out of Montana.
This past weekend, Chleborad took an official visit to Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan.. On Friday he will visit Washington State University and the following week he will take his final trip to Texas Christian University.
“It’s still pretty wide open, but we are definitely going to try and sign during the early signing period,” said Chleborad. “At this point I’m just going to the different schools, seeing the campuses, and meeting the coaches and players.”
In 2009, Kansas State recorded its most successful season in school history winning 43 games and earning its first-ever birth into a NCAA Regional Tournament. Head coach Brad Hill came to KSU in 2003 after a nine-year stint at Central Missouri State University, where he was the winningest coach in NCAA Division II during that period. Hill has completely turned around the Wildcat program and in 2010 they earned their highest ever ranking at no. 16 in the country.
“I really liked that they are on a personal level with their players,” said Chleborad. “The players were all really easy to get along with and the whole town of Manhattan completely revolves around the University. It was a really great atmosphere.”
The Kansas State trip was only the beginning for Chleborad. The next few weeks will be packed full of official visits, phone calls, and email correspondences with coaches.
Chleborad said he is keeping “all his options open” but it is crunch time, and along with KSU; Washington State, TCU, and Oregon are all vying for the 6 foot 5 inch righty.
Tanner’s father, Brian, stressed that it is important for Tanner to try and commit during the early signing period because each NCAA baseball program is allotted 11.7 scholarships a year. Scholarships that may not be available when the second signing period comes around in April.
“It’s an exciting time for Tanner and I think he is handling it all pretty well,” said Brian Chleborad. “He’s been fortunate that so many quality schools and baseball programs have been in contact with him. We’ll know a lot more after he takes his official visits.”
Washington State University, located in Pullman, Wash., was also ranked in the top 25 last season in NCAA Division I.
“PAC-10,” said Chleborad when asked where WSU sits amongst his choices. “It’s an incredible conference and I would definitely like to play in it. With out a doubt some of the best players in the country come out of the PAC-10. I’m excited to go on the visit.”
Also in the PAC-10 is another school trying to snag Chleborad, the University of Oregon. The Ducks, well known for their football, also have a strong baseball program. Last season they had three pitchers drafted in the Major League Baseball draft. Oregon was also in the top 25 last season and this year’s recruiting class is ranked in the top 5 in the country. The Ducks will most likely have several pitchers taken in next summers draft as well, which could provide an opportunity for Chleborad. He is not scheduled to take an official visit to Eugene but says he is still “very interested” in the program and that he has been talking to the Ducks coaching staff on the phone.
Chleborad’s final visit will come just before the end of the early signing period when he goes to TCU in Ft. Worth, Texas. TCU is also coming off its most successful season in its history after a College World Series appearance in 2010. The Frogs won three games in Omaha before being ousted by national runners-up UCLA.
I watched Tanner pitch for the first time last year in the Firecracker. I was really impressed with his size and movement on the ball. Most of all he carried himself with all the confidence. I was visiting with someone yesterday about Mark Ellis as a youngster and what focus he had at that time. Here is another example of Rapid City’s great baseball programs and what they produce. What a great thing to be able to give young athelets that kind of support that will benefit them in all areas of their lives. Great Job and thanks IDS for the inside of local sports.
nice kid, nice family, lots of talent. — way to go Tanner,, you have a bright future!
The early signing period according to the NCAA website is actually Nov. 10th thru Nov. 17th. Looking forward to hearing where he decides to go, lots of great options and he can’t go wrong with any of them. Good luck Tanner!
The Ducks are well known for there football, thats a stretch. They’ve been a dormat until recently…
Steve, as of right now, as we speak, the Ducks are known for their football. That is not a stretch, that is a fact. Thanks for the comment though.
Steve, I would say that a team like Oregon who has been consistently ranked in the top 25, or even the top 10 throughout the past couple decades would be considered “known for their football.” Especially since they currently sit at #1 in the AP college football rankings while playing in the perennial powerhouse conference of the Pac-10. Great article, Jake; you always know your stuff.