Emerging Arms
Ben Jacobs, a left-handed pitcher drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft, has quickly become one of the organization’s most talked-about arms. In 162⅔ innings across low and high Single-A, he posts a 1.08 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP, striking out 24 batters while walking just six.
Mechanical adjustments have helped Jacobs unlock extra extension and velocity on his fastball, while a sharp splitter, curveball and slider each generate whiff rates above 40%. The result is a 4.15 ERA and a .178 opponent batting average in 26 innings at high Single-A West Michigan, earning him the No. 6 spot on Baseball America’s top-30 Tigers prospects list.
Joseph Dzierwa, a Michigan State alumnus and left-handed starter in the Baltimore Orioles system, entered the professional ranks as the 58th overall pick in the 2025 draft. After a brief stint in high-Single-A Frederick, he moved to Double-A Chesapeake, where a 2.70 ERA and 1.05 WHIP accompany 33 strikeouts and five walks in 26⅔ innings.
Dzierwa’s rise continued with a strong showing in the Orioles’ Spring Breakout game, where he fanned eight Red Sox hitters in three innings. He now sits at No. 5 in the Orioles’ prospect rankings, boasting a 2.41 ERA across High-A and Double-A with 83 strikeouts and only 15 walks.
Prospects on the Rise
Both pitchers illustrate how early-round left-handers can accelerate development through targeted mechanical work and pitch-mix refinement. Their rapid ascents reflect the Tigers’ and Orioles’ confidence in developing home-grown talent, and they signal potential impact at the major-league level in the near future.