‘It allows me to play free on that field,’ Indians newcomer Tanner Thach shares story of passion, faith driving his game

SPOKANE, Wash. – Growing up in small-town North Carolina taught Tanner Thach a lot.

“My whole family has grown up in baseball, like my dad,” Thach said. “From as long as I can remember, I had a bat in my hand, and we’re playing catch. We’re going to hit at the cages.”

The young man earned state player of the year, pitching a 13-0 record with two no-hitters and striking out 139 batters, not to mention batting almost .500 with 12 home runs.

This all came after a football career Thach left behind, wanting to focus on his best skills.

“We always grew up NC State fans, like just people from our area,” Thach said. “But, I really wanted to go somewhere where I could play early on, and I wanted to go somewhere where I’d have an opportunity to be a two-way as well.”

He stuck close to home, playing on the Atlantic beaches with UNC Wilmington, where he earned a freshman All-America nod, later a first-team all-conference spot and, at last, a shot at the big leagues.

“But then the Rockies came calling, and it was a perfect fit,” Thach said. “And I’m super thankful for the opportunity that they’ve given me.”

After a stint playing for the Low-A Fresno Grizzlies, Thach quickly moved up to Spokane, knocking out a couple of homers in just over a couple of weeks.

“He brings it every day,” Spokane manager Tom Sutaris said. “He comes, he works, he prepares, and he goes out on the field. He plays hard. So for me, that’s what I’m looking for. All the lessons within the game we can teach. But just guys that are ready to work and bring the intensity every day and bring their best effort is what we need.”

The infielder keeps all his blessings in perspective, as his faith lies at the forefront of his life, including his motivational and faith-driven social media.

“Nothing in baseball can take that away, so it allows me to play free on that field, because baseball is a mind game, and the enemy tries to attack my mind every day as I play, especially through the hard times in the game,” Thach said.

Thach says he hopes the future sees all his efforts pushed forward.

“All the hard work paid off,” Thach said. “All the prayers, all the opportunities that my parents and the coaches poured into me like it’s just such a blessing. And any way I can give back to so many people who have given to me is what I want to do.”