Photo by: Steve Branscombe
Spartans’ Dzierwa Primed For MLB Draft Selection This Weekend
7/11/2025 3:16:00 PM | Baseball
The Spartan southpaw expected to have name called in early rounds.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Last summer, between the 2024 and '25 college baseball seasons, Michigan State's starting pitcher Joseph Dzierwa entered his name into the transfer portal.
Dzierwa was coming off of a strong season, posting 4.07 ERA with 91 strikeouts and a 6-3 record.
With his junior season on the horizon, the 6-8 left-hander was set to transfer from Michigan State to Vanderbilt. However, after further contemplation, Dzierwa withdrew his name from the portal and chose to remain a Spartan.
It wasn't an easy decision but he decided his career would work the best in East Lansing.
"I was putting a lot of thought into it and the biggest thing for me was I wanted to continue to provide for this team and finish what I started here," Dzierwa said. "I thought about what I could bring to this team, and I thought it was a good opportunity to learn about myself as a player."
Michigan State head coach Jake Boss Jr., welcomed Dzierwa's return and his determination to finish what he started.
"I think [Dzierwa's determination to finish what he started] speaks to the culture we have in our clubhouse, and I think it speaks a lot to Joe's character," Boss said. "I think Joe realized he could have a tremendous impact here at Michigan State. Not only on the field, but also off the field and in the community."
Dzierwa returned to East Lansing and did in fact have a tremendous impact at MSU and in the community.
On the diamond, the Spartan southpaw was named a national semifinalist for three major awards, including USA Baseball's Golden Spikes Award and NCBWA's Dick Howser Trophy and College Baseball Foundation's National Pitcher of the Year Award, as presented by the College Baseball Foundation.Â
Dzierwa was also named a National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Second-Team All-America honoree, in addition to garnering Perfect Game Second-Team All-American accolades, and also receiving American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings Third-Team All-America honors and named to D1Baseball's Third-Team All-America list.
The hurler was also named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year and also garnered First Team All-B1G accolades. He was the only player that was a unanimous selection to the First Team.
Dzierwa registered an 8-3 record with a 2.36 ERA, firing 104 strikeouts in 91.2 innings pitched in 15 starts. The 104 strikeouts was second in the B1G and 23rd in the NCAA. He threw one complete game shutout, as part of four combined shutouts, in holding the opposition to .201 against him this season.
The Spartan southpaw was also second in the B1G and 23rd in the NCAA in WHIP (0.98), along with fourth in the league and 44th in the nation in fewest hits allowed per nine innings (6.41).
In the classroom, Dzierwa garnered second-team CSC Academic All-America® accolades, to become just the third-ever MSU baseball student-athlete to earn both Athletic and Academic All-American Honors in the same season.Â
He posted a 3.66 GPA majoring in communication. Dzierwa is also a two-time CSC Academic All-District honoree, as well as a two-time Academic All-Big Ten recipient.
Outside of baseball, Dzierwa has had an impact that is far more meaningful than any statistic. Dzierwa has used his NIL money to help give back and support the community.Â
"He really took our Team Impact kid, Luca, under his wing. Joe has used some of the money from his NIL deal to help support Luca, who is a six-year-old kid battling leukemia right now," Boss Jr. said. "It was completely Joe's idea to donate money for every strikeout he recorded this season. He came to me with the idea. and I thought it was a no-brainer."
Amidst all the high praise, mock drafts, watch lists and awards, Dzierwa has not been deterred from staying focused on the goals that he has with the Spartans.
Dzierwa has dealt with the hype surrounding him this season, believing his success goes beyond himself.
"It's cool, but I think it is more team related. The guys around me push me every day," Dzierwa said. "It's not just me. I hate how it is all individual awards. I think it's more about the team and [his success] shows what they've done to push me. That's the way I look at it."
It is likely that Dzierwa will be an early round pick at the upcoming MLB Draft that starts on Sunday evening. The team that chooses to select him is not only going to get a 6-8 lanky lefty who posts big numbers on the mound, but also a man who plays for the guys standing next to and behind him.
Boss Jr. looked ahead to Dzierwa's inevitable departure from the program, and sees a bright  future for the Spartan ace.Â
"I think he's going to be a pretty high draft pick. Without putting any undue pressure on him, I think Joe is gonna pitch for a long time," Boss Jr. said. "I think he'll play this game for a really long time. We've had guys come through this program who are knocking on the door of the big leagues and others that have spent time in the big leagues. And as a junior in college, I think Joe is right on pace with those guys."
The 2025 MLB Draft starts on Sunday, July 13 at 6 p.m. ET, with Rounds 1-3, airing on MLBN/MLB.com/ESPN, before Rounds 4-20 are on Monday, July 14, starting at 11:30 a.m. ET with all coverage on MLB.com.
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Dzierwa was coming off of a strong season, posting 4.07 ERA with 91 strikeouts and a 6-3 record.
With his junior season on the horizon, the 6-8 left-hander was set to transfer from Michigan State to Vanderbilt. However, after further contemplation, Dzierwa withdrew his name from the portal and chose to remain a Spartan.
It wasn't an easy decision but he decided his career would work the best in East Lansing.
"I was putting a lot of thought into it and the biggest thing for me was I wanted to continue to provide for this team and finish what I started here," Dzierwa said. "I thought about what I could bring to this team, and I thought it was a good opportunity to learn about myself as a player."
Michigan State head coach Jake Boss Jr., welcomed Dzierwa's return and his determination to finish what he started.
"I think [Dzierwa's determination to finish what he started] speaks to the culture we have in our clubhouse, and I think it speaks a lot to Joe's character," Boss said. "I think Joe realized he could have a tremendous impact here at Michigan State. Not only on the field, but also off the field and in the community."
Dzierwa returned to East Lansing and did in fact have a tremendous impact at MSU and in the community.
On the diamond, the Spartan southpaw was named a national semifinalist for three major awards, including USA Baseball's Golden Spikes Award and NCBWA's Dick Howser Trophy and College Baseball Foundation's National Pitcher of the Year Award, as presented by the College Baseball Foundation.Â
Dzierwa was also named a National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Second-Team All-America honoree, in addition to garnering Perfect Game Second-Team All-American accolades, and also receiving American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings Third-Team All-America honors and named to D1Baseball's Third-Team All-America list.
The hurler was also named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year and also garnered First Team All-B1G accolades. He was the only player that was a unanimous selection to the First Team.
Dzierwa registered an 8-3 record with a 2.36 ERA, firing 104 strikeouts in 91.2 innings pitched in 15 starts. The 104 strikeouts was second in the B1G and 23rd in the NCAA. He threw one complete game shutout, as part of four combined shutouts, in holding the opposition to .201 against him this season.
The Spartan southpaw was also second in the B1G and 23rd in the NCAA in WHIP (0.98), along with fourth in the league and 44th in the nation in fewest hits allowed per nine innings (6.41).
In the classroom, Dzierwa garnered second-team CSC Academic All-America® accolades, to become just the third-ever MSU baseball student-athlete to earn both Athletic and Academic All-American Honors in the same season.Â
He posted a 3.66 GPA majoring in communication. Dzierwa is also a two-time CSC Academic All-District honoree, as well as a two-time Academic All-Big Ten recipient.
Outside of baseball, Dzierwa has had an impact that is far more meaningful than any statistic. Dzierwa has used his NIL money to help give back and support the community.Â
"He really took our Team Impact kid, Luca, under his wing. Joe has used some of the money from his NIL deal to help support Luca, who is a six-year-old kid battling leukemia right now," Boss Jr. said. "It was completely Joe's idea to donate money for every strikeout he recorded this season. He came to me with the idea. and I thought it was a no-brainer."
Amidst all the high praise, mock drafts, watch lists and awards, Dzierwa has not been deterred from staying focused on the goals that he has with the Spartans.
Dzierwa has dealt with the hype surrounding him this season, believing his success goes beyond himself.
"It's cool, but I think it is more team related. The guys around me push me every day," Dzierwa said. "It's not just me. I hate how it is all individual awards. I think it's more about the team and [his success] shows what they've done to push me. That's the way I look at it."
It is likely that Dzierwa will be an early round pick at the upcoming MLB Draft that starts on Sunday evening. The team that chooses to select him is not only going to get a 6-8 lanky lefty who posts big numbers on the mound, but also a man who plays for the guys standing next to and behind him.
Boss Jr. looked ahead to Dzierwa's inevitable departure from the program, and sees a bright  future for the Spartan ace.Â
"I think he's going to be a pretty high draft pick. Without putting any undue pressure on him, I think Joe is gonna pitch for a long time," Boss Jr. said. "I think he'll play this game for a really long time. We've had guys come through this program who are knocking on the door of the big leagues and others that have spent time in the big leagues. And as a junior in college, I think Joe is right on pace with those guys."
The 2025 MLB Draft starts on Sunday, July 13 at 6 p.m. ET, with Rounds 1-3, airing on MLBN/MLB.com/ESPN, before Rounds 4-20 are on Monday, July 14, starting at 11:30 a.m. ET with all coverage on MLB.com.
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Players Mentioned
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