5 questions with Chicago White Sox reliever Tanner Banks

This week, I had the opportunity to talk to Chicago White Sox reliever Tanner Banks and ask him a few questions.

Banks was drafted in the 18th round by the Chicago White Sox in the 2014 MLB draft. Over the course of the next seven years, Banks worked his way up through the minors. He was invited to spring training in 2021 but was later reassigned to minor league camp before the season. It looked like Banks would be spending another year in the minors. However, to Banks’ shock, he made the Opening Day roster and was selected to the 40-man roster.

Banks made his debut in April against the Detroit Tigers. Heading into Sunday’s action, he had appeared in 10 games, pitching 16.0 innings with a 3.38 ERA, 1.188 WHIP, and a 6.8 K/9.

Banks’ pitch repertoire consists of a 4-seam fastball at 92 mph (45.7%), a slider at 86 mph (30.7%), and a changeup at 85 mph (23.5%).

Here are our five questions with Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Tanner Banks

Q: Did you ever consider retirement while in the minors?

A: I always told myself that I was going to play for as long as I could. Eventually, this game ends for everybody, but I wanted to play for as long as I could.

Q: The first poor outing of your MLB career came recently against the Cleveland Guardians. How do you look to bounce back from that? What’s your mentality? Also, after being in the minors for so long, after a poor performance like that, are you ever concerned that you will be sent back down and never come back?

A: It was not one of my highlights for sure. I think in the back of everybody’s head, they always think “What if I go back to the minors?” But you can’t sit and think about those things. You have to focus on the next outing, the next pitch, the next batter, the next opportunity you have to play. If you think about those poor outings, it will just distract you from progressing and moving forward and making adjustments and getting better.

Q: What’s it like being on a team with World Series potential? Talk about the vibe and attitude around a team and clubhouse with a winning mentality. Compare this to the vibe around the minor leagues. What’s similar and what’s different?

A: The vibe in the clubhouse is very good. We are all confident. We know if someone struggles or goes down with an injury, the next guy is there to pick him up. We have already had some injuries and the next guy in line has stepped up. We have kept the ball rolling. The biggest thing is always knowing the next guy is in line. We work as a team and push to do the best we can. We are in a good spot come September and October.

The vibe compared to the minors league is that, in the majors, you do whatever you have to do to win, where as the minors are more so about development and getting those guys opportunities to pitch whether it’s in a win or loss. It’s just playing in general. In the minors, you need to get players guys opportunities to play and develop. In the majors, if it’s not working, it’s the next guy in line. The bottom line is winning the game.

Q: You were in the minor leagues for seven years. What is the number one thing you would change/improve about the minors?

A: One of the biggest things they addressed this year was the housing situation. Paying for players under a certain threshold’s housing makes it so much easier, so much less stressful. Your quality of life goes up in general. You can afford better food, better entertainment (if you have time). Outside of that, I think it’s part of the process and all part of the grind and what makes the minor leagues what it is and what makes the major leagues so special. Also, upping up pay a little bit has been tremendous.

Q: How has your life and lifestyle as a whole changed since being brought up to the majors?

A: I wouldn’t say my life has changed a lot. Yes, we are in bigger and better stadiums. Travel is great. The food in the clubhouse is great. But, I have always had my family with me. I have always made sure that they are taken care of. It definitely makes it easier to make sure they are comfortable. We have more access for them to be able to travel. As a whole, I try to live the same way that I have.

Thank you so much to Tanner Banks for these fantastic responses. I encourage all fans to support the minor leagues and try to attend games because the talent there is truly remarkable.