Draft
Drafted in the 37th Round of the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers with the 1,117th overall selection.
High School
Graduated from Ladysmith High School in Ladysmith, Wisc., in 2009 ... Earned four varsity letters under coach Dan Leonhard ... A four-time All-District player ... Named District Player of the Year as a senior ... Named to the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association All-State teams all four seasons ... Also excelled on the football field where he obtained WFCA first-team all-state, WFCA all-region, Eau Claire Leader-Telegram first-team all-area and first-team all-conference honors at tight end ... Named WFCA honorable-mention all-state, WFCA all-region and first-team all-conference as a punter ... Also received second-team all-conference accolades at defensive end ... Also earned four varsity letters in basketball.
Personal
Full Name: Joel Jeffrey Effertz ... Born 9/27/1990 in Ladysmith, Wisc., ... Son of Jeff and Janet Effertz ... Has three siblings: Eric, Jade and Megan ... Father played football and baseball at Eau Claire ... Uncle, Scott, played basketball at Kent State ... Enjoys hunting, fishing and golfing.