Jack Dreyer became 36th former Hawkeye to reach ‘the show’

ARLINGTON, Texas — Jack Dreyer joined two exclusive clubs when he made his big-league debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in March.

Dreyer, 26, who pitched at Iowa from 2018 through 2020, became the 36th former Hawkeye to reach “the show.” The affable Johnston native also had the rare distinction of making his debut in Tokyo, Japan, where the Dodgers played a two-game series against the Cubs to start the season.

Dreyer pitched one inning in his debut against Chicago, allowing two hits, one run and striking out one. To date, he is 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA in his 13 big-league appearances and his 1.10 WHIP (walks, hits, innings pitched).

“To be able to debut in Tokyo, that number just shrinks incredibly (of players to do that),” Dreyer said. “It was a great moment, but me and other guys on the team were experiencing Tokyo for the first time together, so it helped me to start to feel comfortable with the team because they were also experiencing things for the first time.”

After going 8-3 with a 3.41 ERA in 20 appearances, including 10 starts as a Hawkeye, he signed with the Dodgers as an undrafted free agent in August 2021. His pro career began in 2022 with the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Dodgers.

In 2023, he made 42 appearances for Low Single-A Great Lakes of the Midwest League and was 5-0 with a 2.30 ERA. Last season, he started the season at Double-A Tulsa and had a 0.00 ERA in nine appearances before being promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he was 5-2 with a 2.95 ERA in 37 appearances in the always hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

When he made his debut in the Land of the Rising Sun in late March, not only was he proud to represent the Hawkeyes, but also to rep his home state.

“Part of it is from the university but even more being from the state of Iowa, there just aren’t too many guys that play professionally,” Dreyer said. “We don’t always have the talent pool like other states are able to boast, so to be one of the ones that’s playing professionally right now is a really cool thing. I’m just trying to do whatever I can to play for my state and school.”

Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts, who is universally regarded as one of the top skippers in the game who has led LA to World Series titles in 2020 and 2024, likes what he has seen thus far from the former Hawkeye.

“Probably the thing that’s stood out most is his calm,” Roberts said. “Being in this clubhouse with this team and for him to just be comfortable in his own skin and let his abilities play out, he’s done a great job of (that).”

And to hear such heady praise from someone he holds in such high esteem shows Dreyer he is on the right track as part of a talented group of relievers as the Dodgers currently have in their bullpen.

“To feel as though the coaching staff and Doc (Roberts) have the confidence in me to put me out in a situation like that (on April 19 in Texas in a close game) means a lot, but at the end of the day all eight arms in the bullpen, nine right now, have the ability to go out there and make outs,” Dreyer said. “So, whenever the phone rings, whoever’s name gets called, we know that they’re the best man for the job and we have complete confidence and faith in the other guys around us.”

Speaking of his recent trip to Texas, his two appearances against the Rangers at Globe Life Field, site of the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series win, delivered a nice confluence for the Dreyer family. That’s because his father, Steve, pitched for the Rangers in 1993 and 1994, toeing the rubber at their previous two homes, Arlington Stadium, which Texas played in from 1972 through 1993, and Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, their home from 1994 through 2019 before moving across the street to indoor Globe Life Field in 2020.

“We talked about it last night (after Saturday’s game) and he was obviously very excited. So, between the two of us, we have pitched in the three Ranger ballparks, which is pretty special,” Dreyer said. “Overall, just a really cool moment. I’m very lucky to have a dad who has playing experience and can talk at a higher level about baseball. That’s been fun.”

Along with fellow relievers Ben Casparius and Noah Davis plus starter Roki Sasaki, Dreyer is one of four rookies on the Dodgers. And being an MLB newcomer, that means there are dues to pay in the form of rookie rites of passage. For this ex-Hawkeye, that means carrying around a bright pink Barbie stereo and ensuring it’s ready for use.

“I’ve run into an issue where it died on the flight, and I was getting screamed at until I could get it plugged in,” Dreyer said. “That will not happen again. I think they’ve been giving stereos to the rookies the last couple years, but this year the Barbie one is new. Kike (Hernandez) got it, so he is the one who gifted it to me.”

While some rookies might scoff at enduring such hazing, he takes it like a seasoned pro and knows it’s all part of reaching the Majors.

“I absolutely love doing it. People might laugh at it, but I think it’s an honor and a cool responsibility to have,” Dreyer said.

Another way Dreyer is a typical rookie is he’s a complete sponge whether in the clubhouse, on the bus or plane or in the bullpen, absorbing every lesson, no matter how big or small, from his teammates who have been here before.

“That’s one of the cool things about being a part of this pen, is each day that I show up to the field I have a chance to learn from every single guy,” he said. “I think that’s the biggest thing, is knowing how to prepare for 162. In terms of feeling like I’m part of the team, that’s been there for a long time but in terms of the experience of what being in Major League parks brings, that’s something that I will probably never get used to.

“That’s just special every time.”

And when the Dodgers host their crosstown rivals, the Angels, for a three-game series on May 16-18, Dreyer plans to seek out the Halos’ first base coach and fellow former Hawkeye Bo Porter.

“Yes, that’s the plan. It’s going to be really cool,” Dreyer said. “I don’t think our paths have crossed before, but as soon as we meet we’ll be able to talk about the shared experiences that we have, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Stephen Hunt is a freelance writer based in Frisco, Texas.