Orioles Pull Double Stunner in MLB Draft, Snag Northwest Ohio Pitching Duo Hunter Allen and Joseph Dzierwa — Small-Town Firepower Joins Big-League Dreams in Baltimore’s Rotation Future
In a move that is being hailed as both strategic and symbolic, the Baltimore Orioles shocked many around Major League Baseball by selecting not one but two top-tier pitching prospects from the heart of Northwest Ohio during the 2025 MLB Draft. Hunter Allen and Joseph Dzierwa, a pair of right-handed flamethrowers from a region not typically known for churning out major league arms, are now officially part of the Orioles’ future pitching plans. The selection of both pitchers on the same draft board by the same franchise has become one of the feel-good stories of this year’s draft class and represents a major milestone for two athletes who climbed from modest baseball roots to the national spotlight. Baltimore’s front office not only bet on raw talent and upside—they doubled down on work ethic, underdog spirit, and developmental gold.
For a team like the Orioles that has made waves in recent years for their emphasis on youth, scouting accuracy, and long-term upside, adding two Ohio-grown pitchers in the same draft class shows how Baltimore continues to think outside the box. In an era where big-name high school and college programs in the South and West dominate draft coverage, Allen and Dzierwa serve as proof that elite talent can rise from anywhere—even the quiet backfields and small-town stadiums of Northwest Ohio. Their journeys, while separate, reflect the same qualities that now define Baltimore’s prospect philosophy: toughness, adaptability, and potential waiting to be unlocked.
Hunter Allen, known throughout his high school and summer ball career as a high-strikeout, high-velocity pitcher, has long turned heads for his explosive fastball and ability to work both sides of the plate with polish beyond his years. He combines classic Midwest grit with mechanical fluidity that drew comparisons to big-league veterans even before he graduated. Allen’s breakout moment came in the summer leading into his senior year, when he struck out thirteen batters at a national showcase against top-tier hitters from across the country. From that moment, he became a must-watch name among scouts, especially those who value makeup and competitive drive as much as radar gun readings. Standing at 6-foot-3 with a lean, projectable frame, Allen not only has the tools to become a starter at the next level—he has the hunger to prove everyone wrong who didn’t rank him in the early rounds of mock drafts.
Joseph Dzierwa, on the other hand, took a different route to draft day. While Allen grabbed attention with velocity and power, Dzierwa built his profile on command, movement, and sheer dominance over multiple high school seasons. A cerebral pitcher with elite pitch sequencing and mound presence, Dzierwa often outwitted more physically imposing hitters with a devastating changeup and the kind of curveball that dies at the plate. Coaches around the state raved about his ability to control the tempo of the game, adjust mid-inning, and deliver clutch performances when it mattered most. Though less flashy than Allen in terms of raw power, Dzierwa’s ceiling is equally high thanks to his advanced understanding of pitching mechanics and mental toughness. He’s the type of pitcher who could climb the minor league ladder quickly if he continues to refine his arsenal and add a few ticks to his fastball, which has already reached the low 90s with late tailing action.
That the Orioles selected both Allen and Dzierwa is no coincidence. Baltimore’s scouting department, led by a front office that has rebuilt the franchise through a mix of advanced analytics and traditional eyes-on-the-ground scouting, clearly saw something in these two arms that made them must-haves in their draft portfolio. It’s not often that two pitchers from the same region—let alone from Northwest Ohio—end up being selected by the same MLB organization. That shared regional bond will now follow them into professional baseball, potentially easing the transition from high school standouts to professional prospects navigating the pressures of the minor leagues. Having a familiar face alongside you in rookie ball, in workouts, in long bus rides, and under the daily grind of development is a massive advantage—and both Allen and Dzierwa now have that.
The significance of this moment extends far beyond just the Orioles or the state of Ohio. It represents validation for countless coaches, families, and communities who supported these players from tee-ball to travel ball, from winter workouts in frozen gymnasiums to early-morning bullpen sessions in the offseason. Northwest Ohio has long been a breeding ground for blue-collar work ethic and multi-sport athletes, but often gets overlooked when MLB scouts lock in on traditional hotbeds like Florida, California, and Texas. The selection of Allen and Dzierwa sends a loud message to young players across the region: you don’t have to be from a powerhouse to make it. If you’ve got the talent, the work ethic, and the drive, baseball will find you. The Orioles found both of them, and they did so with conviction.
Now begins the next chapter for these two young arms. Both will report to the Orioles’ development complex, where they’ll begin acclimating to the routines and rigors of professional baseball. Pitching schedules will change. Nutrition, training, video analysis, and arm care will become part of their daily lives. But if their high school coaches are any indication, both players are prepared for that leap. They’ve spent years building the foundation—now they’ll learn how to elevate it with major league resources. The Orioles’ farm system, already one of the best in baseball, is stocked with instructors and mentors who specialize in refining raw talent. Allen will likely continue to develop his secondary pitches, particularly his slider and changeup, while fine-tuning command. Dzierwa will aim to sharpen his velocity and increase pitch deception, with coaches undoubtedly keeping a close eye on how his elite control translates to the next level.
For the Orioles, the upside is enormous. In a league where pitching depth is king, finding two high-upside arms with diverse skill sets gives Baltimore flexibility and long-term value. Allen profiles as a potential mid-to-top rotation starter with swing-and-miss stuff, while Dzierwa offers the polish and intelligence of a high-floor arm who could either start or become a lethal bullpen weapon down the line. Development, of course, is key—but the raw tools are there, and now it’s up to the Orioles to shape them into big-league contributors.
What makes the story even more compelling is that neither of these pitchers grew up with massive spotlight or endless national attention. They weren’t crowned future stars in middle school. They earned every inning of recognition through consistent, incremental improvement, often in places where baseball isn’t the biggest sport in town. That underdog mentality now becomes part of the fabric of their pro identity. It’s the kind of chip-on-the-shoulder motivation that often leads to breakout careers and unexpected success. If either of these two pitchers make it to Camden Yards one day, fans will look back on the 2025 MLB Draft and remember the moment the Orioles bet big on the overlooked.
In the grand scheme of things, draft day always brings its share of surprise picks and feel-good stories. But few match the emotional resonance and long-term intrigue of the Orioles’ selection of Hunter Allen and Joseph Dzierwa. Two kids from Northwest Ohio—bonded by geography, separated by pitching style, but united by potential—now find themselves in the middle of one of baseball’s most ambitious rebuilds. Whether they soar to the top of the rotation, grind their way through years of development, or carve out careers in unexpected roles, the journey has already been unforgettable. And for Baltimore, these two names might just be the latest puzzle pieces in a championship future built from vision, guts, and a belief that stars can come from anywhere.
