From Utah colleges to the majors: 3 relievers making noise in MLB
May 14, 2026, 5:08 PM | Updated: May 15, 2026, 9:25 am
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 26: Paxton Schultz #75 of the Washington Nationals delivers a pitch in the 10th inning of the game against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on April 26, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Zoe Davis/Getty Images)
(Photo by Zoe Davis/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah is not often mentioned as a baseball hotbed, but three relievers with in-state ties are carving out roles in major league bullpens this season.
Left-hander Tanner Banks, who played at Salt Lake Community College and Utah, is trying to help stabilize the Philadelphia Phillies. Right-hander Paxton Schultz, a Utah Valley product, has emerged as a useful arm for the Washington Nationals. And former BYU standout Justin Sterner has given the Athletics quality innings in the middle of the season.
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Taken together, the three pitchers offer another reminder that college programs in Utah continue to produce talent capable of reaching and contributing at the highest level.
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Tanner Banks | Pitcher | SLCC Bruins & Utah Utes
MLB – Philadelphia Phillies
2026 Stats: 17 Games | 0-3 | 17.1 IP | 6.23 ERA | 22 Ks | 9 BBs | 2.08 WHIP
Last 15 Games: 0-3 | 6.75 ERA | 14.2 IP | 20 Ks | 9 BB | 2.18 WHIP
Banks has endured a rough opening stretch in a Philadelphia bullpen that has been searching for consistency. The Phillies entered May 14 with a 20-23 record and sat third in the National League East, 10 games behind the division-leading Atlanta Braves.
He has allowed at least one run in eight outings this season, including four appearances in which he was charged with multiple runs.
One encouraging sign is that Banks has kept the ball in the yard, allowing just one home run. But nine walks and a .342 batting average against have made for a difficult start after a strong 2025 campaign in Philadelphia.
In search of a reset, Banks even shaved his signature mustache recently in hopes of changing his luck.
For now, Philadelphia is trying to climb back into the race in a tightly watched NL East picture.
The southpaw played two seasons (2011-12) at Salt Lake Community College after graduating from Riverton High. He finished his collegiate career on the hill with the Utes.
Banks went 4-12 in 29 appearances for Utah, including 19 starts. He struck out 70 and walked 31 in 113 innings before the Chicago White Sox selected him in the 18th round of the 2014 MLB Draft. He eventually made his major league debut with Chicago in 2022.
While Banks is trying to find his way, a Utah County hurler is breaking through.
Paxton Schultz | Pitcher | UVU
MLB – Washington Nationals
2026 MLB Stats: 11 Games | 0-0 | 2.30 ERA | 15.2 IP | 1 SV | 16 Ks | 3 BB | 1.09 WHIP
2026 MiLB Stats: 5 Games | 0-0 | 4.76 ERA | 5.2 IP | 4 Ks | 2 BBs | 1.06 WHIP
RELATED: Paxton Schultz Makes Record-Setting MLB Debut
Schultz has the least major league experience of the three, but he has quickly become a useful option for Washington. His 2026 numbers with the Nationals include a 2.30 ERA, 16 strikeouts, and one save in 15.2 innings.
The Orem native has shown an ability to miss bats while handling meaningful innings out of the bullpen.
He picked up his first MLB save on April 26 against the Chicago White Sox.
Washington entered May 14 at 21-23, good for second place in the NL East, 9.5 games behind Atlanta.
Schultz appeared in 46 games, including 30 starts, across three seasons at Utah Valley from 2017-19. As a junior in 2019, he logged a career-high 99.1 innings, posted a 4.08 ERA, and tied the program’s single-season record with 99 strikeouts, including an 11-strikeout performance against South Carolina.
The Milwaukee Brewers selected Schultz in the 14th round of the 2019 draft with the 433rd overall pick. He began his professional career in the Pioneer League with the Rocky Mountain Vibes and later spent time in the Toronto Blue Jays organization before joining Washington.
Schultz became the third player in Utah Valley history to reach the majors, joining Mitch Jones and Kam Mickolio. He made his MLB debut on April 20, 2025.
Another right-handed reliever trying to establish himself came out of nearby BYU.
Justin Sterner | Pitcher | BYU Cougars
MLB – Athletics
Last 15 Games: 1-2 | 5.65 ERA | 14.1 IP | 16 Ks | 4 BBs | 1.40 WHIP
RELATED: Former Cougar Justin Sterner Pitching Lights Out For A’s
Sterner has continued to give the Athletics useful innings, and one of his best moments this season came when he escaped a bases-loaded jam against the Texas Rangers without allowing a run.
The former BYU pitcher struck out two hitters before getting a harmless flyout to end the threat.
He has also put together several clean outings in May, a sign that he remains a trusted arm in the bullpen mix.
The Athletics entered May 14 at 22-21 and held a one-game lead over both Seattle and Texas in the American League West.
At BYU, Sterner went 8-4 with a 2.86 ERA in 27 games, including 17 starts, over three seasons. His best year came in 2019, when he went 8-3 with a 2.92 ERA and struck out 71 batters in 71 innings.
Sterner made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2024, appearing in two games before the Athletics claimed him off waivers that November.
Whether they are trying to regain form, establish themselves, or build on early success, Banks, Schultz, and Sterner have each given Utah baseball a presence in the majors this season.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
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