Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, Golden Spikes semifinalist, Second-Team All-American and national pitcher of the year semifinalist are just a few of the honors Michigan State University baseball southpaw Joseph Dzierwa has collected in the past month.
With the MLB Draft approaching on July 13 and 14, Dzierwa is poised to become the highest-drafted Spartan in years.
The 6-foot-8 junior dominated in his 15 starts during the 2025 season. Dzierwa recorded 104 strikeouts, which ranked second in the conference, and led the league with a 2.36 ERA.
Dzierwa ranks 74th among draft prospects according to MLB.com, which would land him in the third round, two spots above where former MSU first baseman Brock Vradenbrug was drafted to the Miami Marlins in 2023.
In June, Dzierwa attended the MLB Draft Combine, although he did not participate in on-field drills.
This past season was filled with highs and lows for MSU baseball. The team finished with a 28-27 overall record and a 13-17 mark in conference play, highlighted by significant wins over Oregon, Northwestern and Minnesota late in the year.
The Spartans slipped into the final spot of the Big Ten Tournament, ranked 12th in the conference. MSU lost both of its two games in Omaha on a walk-off to the Big Ten Champion Nebraska and Oregon.
Against Northwestern in a Saturday outing, Dzierwa went seven full innings, allowing three hits and zero runs in a 10-0 run-rule route of the Wildcats. Later in May, Dzierwa took the mound for his best outing of his career against No. 6 Oregon. In a complete game on the mound, Dzierwa struck out 11 Ducks with three hits and no runs.
"I try to make everything just me versus me, because I think that's what baseball is," Dzierwa said after the win against Oregon. "If you execute and get your pitch, I think it's you versus you. If you control the things you can control, you'll be off better."
Dzierwa delivered his best performances when MSU needed him most this season. He recorded four outings with 10 or more strikeouts and finished the year with an 8-3 record.
After his sophomore season in East Lansing, Dzierwa entered the transfer portal and committed to SEC powerhouse Vanderbilt. However, following conversations with MSU baseball head coach Jake Boss Jr., he rescinded his commitment and chose to return to MSU for another year. Dzierwa said it was the best decision he ever made.
"Those first two weeks when I came back here, I kind of struggled," Dzierwa said. "But these past few months have been awesome, especially with these guys."
Dzierwa is projected at 61 by Perfect Game, 94 by the Athletic’s Keith Law and 50 by Baseball America.
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