By JIM MACLEAN //
Like most teenagers graduating from high school, Tyler Renz had some big life decisions to make. After graduating from Fox Lane High School in June, Renz was ready to attend St. John’s University in Queens this fall on a baseball scholarship, but then the Milwaukee Brewers made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Milwaukee selected Renz in the 18th round of the Major League Baseball draft in July. The Brewers then flew him out to headquarters in Milwaukee last week and put an offer sheet in front of him that made Renz change his mind. The Brewers did not want to risk the chance of Renz going to college, and presented him with an offer sheet that included an $825,500 signing bonus, a large amount for an 18th round pick.
“Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith,” Renz said, elaborating on his decision to accept the team’s offer. “I really wanted to go to college, but the offer they gave was too much to turn down. It showed they really believe in me and they wanted me.”
“This past week has been really hectic and chaotic, and my peers helped me get through it. It’s a great honor and a great opportunity,” he added.”
Just being drafted by Major League Baseball is a level of recognition achieved by few high school players, as Renz became just the fourth Fox Lane player to be drafted and the first to sign right out of high school.
He had already committed to St. John’s before his senior season began, and his stock continued to rise after what he accomplished this spring to finish off his amazing Fox Lane career.
Renz was named Section 1 Pitcher of the Year after compiling an 8-1 record with a 1.13 ERA and 88 strikeouts. In three seasons at Fox Lane, he compiled a 19-3 overall record, graduating as the Foxes career leader in victories and strikeouts with 224. Those career numbers and his performance under pressure have Fox Lane coach Matt Hillis believing that the Brewers made a smart decision to sign Renz.
“At this stage of his career, he’s the best pitcher we’ve ever had come through Fox Lane and we’ve had plenty of really great arms,” said his former coach. “He burst onto the scene as a sophomore and you could see it coming. He has amazing composure, control of three pitches, and an unbelievable work ethic. He doesn’t get rattled, no moment is too big — just a fierce competitor who will keep getting better and better.”
“He’s only 17 years old and his full potential is untapped. The ceiling for him, we don’t even know what that is right now. I think he has all the characteristics to be on the big stage, “ added Hillis.
Last spring, Renz and the Foxes advanced to the Section 1 Class AA championship game but came up just short of the title. Renz did his part with three-straight saves to help the Foxes reach the final, and he admits it is an experience he will always treasure competing at Fox Lane with his friends from childhood. Renz is a lifelong resident of Mount Kisco and he has played baseball with many of his Fox Lane teammates as far back as he can remember.
“I’ve known most of them since Little League; 10 years growing up learning the game with these guys means everything to me,” he said. “Our main goal was to win a Section 1 championship, I really wanted to go out with that, and we gave it our best effort.”
Now, Renz gets the opportunity to continue his baseball career, though not at the collegiate level playing for St. John’s, as he planned.
At this point in his life, the main goal for Renz is to be the best baseball player he can be, and the opportunity to join the Brewers organization gives him a path to focus on baseball and give it his best shot. He accepted the offer and is now headed for the Milwaukee Brewers training facility in Phoenix, Arizona, to start his professional baseball career.
He knows this three-month session with the Brewers staff in Arizona is just the first step in his pro career; then he will be assigned to a minor league team for next year. He is a long way from making it to the ultimate dream of taking the mound for a major league game, but the future looks bright for Renz and he plans to make the most of the opportunity.
“I love playing baseball and I love winning,” he said. “I just try to go out there and compete on every pitch. I still have a lot of room for growth and a lot of work to do. This is just the beginning and I have a long road ahead to get to where I want to be.”