Banks is the 277th former Northwoods League player to debut in MLB
Rochester, Minn. – Former Willmar Stinger Tanner Banks, made his Major League debut for the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, April 10, 2022. Banks is the 277th former Northwoods League player to reach the Major League level.
Banks, who played collegiately at the University of Utah, played for the Willmar Stingers in 2011 and 2012. He was drafted in the 18th round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Indians.
In 2011 with the Stingers, Banks appeared in 17 games and was 5-2 with a 3.46 ERA. He struck out 48 batters in 52 innings pitched and was a mid-season All-Star selection. In 2012 he pitched in four games and was 2-0 with a 3.14 ERA in 14.1 innings pitched.
Banks began his professional career in 2014 with the White Sox and has compiled a 49-41 record over seven minor league seasons. He has appeared in 168 games and has a 3.51 ERA. Over 743.1 innings he has 563 strikeouts, five saves and 115 games started.
In his Major League debut against the Detroit Tigers, Banks entered the game in relief in the 8th inning. He would pitch 2.0 innings, striking out four and allowing no runs or hits while walking two.
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 28th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, over 275 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live for FREE via the Northwoods League website at watchnwl.com. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.