Iowa right-hander Adam Mazur was selected by the San Diego Padres in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft with the No. 53 overall pick. The South Dakota State transfer became the Hawkeyes’ highest-drafted player since Tim Costo was picked eighth overall by Cleveland in 1990.
The Woodbury, Minn., native earned second-team All-American status from Collegiate Baseball, third-team All-American honors from ABCA/Rawlings and won Big Ten Pitcher of the Year after his standout season with Iowa.
In his first season as a Hawkeye, Mazur went 7-3 with a 3.07 ERA in 15 starts. He allowed just 60 hits and 37 runs (32 earned) over 93 2/3 innings, while fanning 98, limiting hitters to a .178 average and walking just 30.
Mazur led the Big Ten in batting average against, ranked second in innings pitched and strikeouts, third in wins and fourth in ERA. In league games, he led the Big Ten in wins with five, an ERA of 2.59, and 55 2/3 innings pitched. He also ranked fourth in league play in strikeouts.
Mazur registered nine quality starts over the course of the season, including seven consecutive during Big Ten play from April 2 through May 13. During one stretch, Mazur logged eight or more innings in four straight starts. He also tossed a complete game shutout versus Nebraska.
Mazur is the 24th player selected in the MLB draft during head coach Rick Heller’s tenure in Iowa City. Mazur was instrumental in helping the Hawkeyes finish the 2022 season with a 36-19 overall record.
After his breakout season, it is likely that last year was the exclamation mark on a short but fantastic stay in Iowa City. The historic selection was all the buzz on social media. Iowa fans and San Diego supporters alike are happy with the selection.