taschner attended william horlick high school in racine, wisconsin. where he was selected in the 37th round by the then california angels. after graduating, he chose not to sign and went on to the university of wisconsin–oshkosh, where he posted a 7–0 record in nine games (eight starts) and a 1.53 earned run average (era) during the 1999 season. he struck out 79 batters in his senior season while walking only 41. taschner was drafted again, this time by the san francisco giants in the second round of the 1999 major league baseball draft.