Baysox Left-Handed Starter Joseph Dzierwa Named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week

Bowie, MD (August 17, 2026) – Minor League Baseball announced today that Baysox left-handed starter Joseph Dzierwa was awarded Eastern League Pitcher of the Week honors for the week of August 11-16, 2026.

Dzierwa struck out seven across six scoreless innings. It was the second consecutive six-inning start without allowing a run for first-year pro southpaw, following his start the previous Thursday at home against Harrisburg. Dating back to July 31 in Altoona, Dzierwa has not allowed any earned runs in his past three starts with the Baysox. He’s gone 19 innings on the mound since his last earned run surrendered, on July 24 at home against Erie.

Dzierwa struck out the side in the first inning on Wednesday and struck out five in his first two frames, working around a pair of second-inning walks. He retired seven consecutive batters until a walk started the fifth. Dzierwa stranded the leadoff baserunner in the fifth. After coming back out for the sixth, he allowed his first and only hit of the night, a one-out single, before generating an inning-ending double play ball to finish the frame and his outing. He finished Wednesday on 76 pitches, 44 of which were strikes.

Dzierwa picked up the winning decision while he logged the sixth quality start of his debut professional season and his fourth with the Baysox. His 1.98 ERA at the Double-A level this season is the best of any pitcher with at least 60 innings at the level. His 82 strikeouts with the Baysox this season are fifth-most at the Double-A level since his Chesapeake debut on May 22, while his 132 total strikeouts on the season are three away from the most in all of Minor League Baseball.

Dzierwa logged the longest scoreless outing of any Eastern League pitcher last week, while allowing the second-fewest baserunners and picking up the third-most strikeouts of any league starter.

Baysox fans will have their next chance to watch Dzierwa on Wednesday night. He’s Chesapeake’s projected Wednesday night starter as the Baysox welcome the Richmond Flying Squirrels – the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants – to Prince George’s Stadium for a six-game series beginning on Tuesday night.

Single-game tickets, ticket plans, and group offers for the 2026 season are currently on sale. For more information on the Baysox schedule, tickets, and the latest team news, fans can call 301.805.6000, visit Baysox.com, or follow the team on Facebook, X, and Instagram.