Joseph Dzierwa is taking his pitching skills to Michigan State University.
Dzierwa, a 2022 graduate of Otsego High School, was scouted by MLB organizations during his senior season, but he went undrafted in the MLB Draft that ended Tuesday.
As a result, the 6-7 left-hander will continue his amateur baseball career as a Spartan.
“He's got a great situation, regardless,” his father, Matt Dzierwa, said earlier in the week. “In the end, it's a win-win situation.”
At Michigan State, he’ll “get bigger, faster, stronger, and get better,” his father said. “And that's the goal out of all this.”
Dzierwa had a 5-0 record with a 1.91 earned run average and 14 hits in 37⅓ innings for the Otsego Knights. He was named to the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association’s All-Ohio Division III second team.
Scouts were in attendance during Dzierwa’s high school games this season. He showcased his fastball, curveball, and changeup to scouts representing nearly all MLB organizations. Dzierwa’s teammates helped keep him relaxed through the process.
“It was pretty fun, actually,” Dzierwa said. “To be honest, my teammates and coaches were really good. We were all excited. They helped me through it. They sometimes made me smile and relax a little bit, so that was helpful.”
Ahead of the 2022 MLB Draft, Dzierwa worked out for several teams, including the Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres, his father said. Dzierwa traveled to work out in front of scouts and MLB front office personnel.
Baseball America tabbed him as the No. 484 prospect in its top 500 prospect rankings.
“His arm action is one that I think is going to enable him to, first of all, stay healthy,” Michigan State coach Jake Boss, Jr., said. “His body type is one that he's going to continue to get bigger and stronger. And I think you'll continue to watch the velocity increase. The fastball is live with good movement, which, again, it's a thing that could be pretty tough to teach. He's got a great feel for a breaking ball, as well.
“I think he's very ready to pitch at the collegiate level right away. And it's going to be exciting to watch.”
A three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and baseball, Dzierwa will focus on baseball fulltime at Michigan State. He sees an opportunity to grow as a pitcher in the program and add more strength to his frame.
Of the 114 Spartans who were chosen in the MLB Draft, 64 were pitchers. In the previous 10 drafts, 17 of the 29 Michigan State players selected were pitchers. Two former Spartans who made their MLB debut this season were pitchers: Brandon Hughes of the Chicago Cubs, and Cam Vieaux of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“I know I can get a lot bigger and stronger,” Dzierwa said. “That's what I'm looking forward to at Michigan State. I really like their coaches, so I think they can do really well with us. I think I can be a better pitcher, get stronger and faster.”
Dzierwa had a strong connection to Boss and the Spartans coaching staff, he said. Michigan State’s coaching staff was supportive of him during his senior season and his time as the quarterback for the Knights, he said.
Football experience is described as a plus for Dzierwa.
“I think being the quarterback of a very successful high school football team, he's a winner,” Boss said. “I think he knows how to win. And he's able to lead his team in that regard.
“I think he's also a guy that maybe when the pressure's on ... he's going to run toward it as opposed to run away from it.”
For Otsego, Dzierwa earned 2021 Northern Buckeye Conference player of the year and all-district co-offensive player of the year. He threw for 2,149 yards with 25 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed for 412 yards and ran for three touchdowns.
Dzierwa’s dominance on the gridiron helped him become a well-rounded athlete.
“I think that builds the person and the athlete,” his father said. “It's just not the physical stuff. It's the mental stuff, the mental grind, the physical grind, and how he reacts in stressful situations and things like that.
“I think it's a bonus for a lot of people that he did play three sports. I think that, down the road, I think that's going to help him quite a bit.”
First Published July 20, 2022, 11:00 a.m.
