Q&A with Wisconsin-Milwaukee commit Tristan Arnold
January 17, 2023
RHP Tristan Arnold (Mukwonago, 2023; Wisconsin - Milwaukee commit) may have come onto the scene a bit later into his prep career than his peers, but nonethelss he has proved to be a next-level talent in the state's senior class throughout the past couple of years. At The Rock in the fall of 2021, our staff got our first look look at Arnold, and he impressed with his loose, easy arm action while sitting in the low-80s throughout his appearance, which earned him a No. 114 spot inside our 2023 rankings as a result. Then in 2022, Arnold truly broke out across multiple looks in the summer. One of his most eye-opening performances came at July’s Top Prospect Games which featured some of the top uncommitted talent the Badger State had to offer. There Arnold turned some heads during his appearance on the mound with his ability to land all of his pitches for strikes while also topping in the mid-80s with his fastball. After this performance Arnold rose over seventy-spots in our summer rankings update and currently holds the No. 42 spot in the state. Even with the gains Arnold has made over the past year or so, there is a lot more inside his ultra-lean 5-foot-11, 145-pound frame so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him continue to rise up our rankings before his high school career is all said and done.
Arnold capped off his productive summer with his commitment to the state’s lone D1 baseball program, Wisconsin - Milwaukee. We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Arnold to talk about his recruiting process, favorite baseball memory, and much more in this edition of our Q&A series.
LATEST SCOUTING REPORT
Tristan Arnold
Class of 2023 / RHP
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2023
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Primary Position: RHPSecondary Position: SS
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High School: MukwonagoState: WI
- Summer Team: STiKS
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Height: 5-11Weight: 150lbs
- Bat/Throw: S/R
Videos
(7/22/22)
OUR Q&A
PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?
Arnold: I didn’t really know what to expect joining a high-skill level travel team so late. I was looking for a place that I felt like I fit in and was apart of the family. I was also looking for a place that I felt like the coaches cared about my future. as well as the teams.
P: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
A: Yes, my first thoughts were to get out of the Wisconsin weather and play somewhere warm. But, I quickly realized that I would be far from home and being closer to home is what I preffered.
P: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?
A: Beginning of my junior year during high school. I recieved more and more texts and emails about see videos, hearing my name, etc and it just took off. Milwaukee first saw me in Indiana I believe in a super late game that I hit a couple personal records in.
P: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?
A: I like the family feeling at Milwaukee. The coaches and teammates care about you and your future. It just felt like I was right at home and I was comfortable being around them.
P: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
A: Saint Louis, RVC, Minn St, and Augustus.
P: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?
A: Probably RHP Dylan Questad (Waterford, 2023; Arkansas commit). He just works and prepares for everything and thats what makes him one of the best. Hitting off of him in practice is always tough and most of the time I cant even see the ball. The toughest hitter would have to be SS Ethan Hindle (Arrowhead, 2023; Kentucky commit). He always puts a bat on the ball.
P: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?
A: Probably around 12 years old is when I wanted to continue playing but I realized I could have potential freshman year. I just remember watching all these college players thinking I could compete just like they could one day and I was right.
P: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
A: Don’t wait to unlock your potential. I waited a long time to start working and when I finally did, I felt like I took off.
P: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?
A: Probably pitching at Woodside against the Midwest Halos with all the coaches watching.
P: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?
A: I feel we have a solid lineup. We have 1B Aidan Perdreau (2024), a big bat, LHP Chase Baker (2024), RHP Bennett Wolfe (2024), and LHP Cael Bertrandt (2024) as big arms, MIF Connor Greuel (2023; Upper Iowa commit) at short, OF Roman Sienza (2024; Butler commit) in the outfield. We will definitley be a solid put together team. We will have a good pitching staff and a solid infield outfield who can hit.
P: If you could steal any tool or quality from another player in the state, what would it be and who would it be from?
A: RHP Eli Niemiec (St. Thomas More, 2023; Wisconsin-Stevens Point commit) or RHP Dylan Questad with their size. I feel like I would definitley use it to my advantage being 5-foot-11 and 145-pounds.
P: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?
A: SS Isaac Teisl (Mukwonago, 2026). He will be a great hitter when hes older. He has great contact ability and can do a lot. Hes only a freshman.
RELATED CONTENT
Scouting Report
Arnold stands 5-foot-11, 145-pounds with long levers and thin waist that should add some in the future. Tristan impresses with loose, easy, athletic delivery with a quick arm and a balanced finish. He has multiple pitches for strikes. He can spot the fastball 83-84 mph to edges and can elevate with intent. Has a legitimate cut fastball 78-80 mph that he uses off the same spot of his well commanded fastball getting weak contact and swing and miss on the pitch. Has a two plane breaking slurve 72-73 mph with two-plane break and 10/4 shape. He works quickly and attacks hitters early and often with a confident and fearless presence on the mound.