JOHNSTON, Iowa — The World Series is set to kick off with Game 1 on Friday with the Toronto Blue Jays hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers, and one local Iowa guy will be part of the action. 

Johnston alum Jack Dreyer is a left-handed relief pitcher with the Dodgers, making the most of his rookie season. 

“Just a few years ago, we would just look at each other and I would say, you know what, Jack, you’re going to pitch in the big leagues someday,” his dad, Steve Dreyer, said. “And he would just look back and he’d say, ‘I know.’ And that wasn’t arrogance. It was just confidence.”

Jack’s family and friends say his attention to detail and dedication led him to success.

In his senior year at Johnston in 2017, he went 10-0 with a 0.34 ERA and helped lead Johnston to a state championship. 

“His work ethic continues to achieve success. He is super detailed, has tremendous routines and tremendous habits. His whole day is pretty much based around how do I become better at this game?” Jack’s Johnston High School baseball coach, Michael Barta, said.

He then became an Iowa Hawkeye, battling injuries throughout the years, but was drafted by the Dodgers in 2021. He worked his way through the minor leagues and made the Dodgers roster this spring.

The 26-year-old has been successful his rookie year, pitching in 67 regular season games with a 2.95 ERA. He also had two scoreless postseason appearances. 

“Fairly quickly in his career, he got some great opportunities, and then to make the ballclub this year, he made the most of it,” Steve said, who also pitched professionally in the MLB for the Texas Rangers. “But then for them to roll through the playoffs and go to the World Series, I mean, it really hasn’t sunk in yet.”

“To be able to get to that level this young, with maybe the best team in baseball, is an incredible accomplishment,” Barta said. “I’m super proud of him.”

“Jack has learned so much in the last couple of years and to be given this opportunity for us as his parents, we are just so thankful. We know that this was a dream of his,” Steve said. “Whether we’re in person watching him or whether we’re watching him on TV, we just can’t stop smiling. We’re so happy for him and so, so excited for him. So many friends and family are also rooting for him and cheering for him. Even though he’s a long way away, he’s still being supported by a lot of people.”

The Dreyer family will watch Game 1 and Game 2 at home in Johnston, hosting small viewing parties. Then Steve, Jack’s mother and brother will head to Los Angeles to watch Game 3 and Game 4 in person. 

“He feels great. He is so excited, but not in a nervous way,” Steve said. “His teammates are just in a great mood, very positive, very confident. But they also know that the job isn’t finished yet. And so they will do what they need to do the right way and hopefully win four more games.”

Game 1 between the Dodgers and Blue Jays begins at 7 p.m. Friday night.