Campus Newcomer: DMACC OF transfer Jaylen Ziegler
We continue the Iowa Baseball campus newcomers series, with a transfer from Des Moines Area CC. A native of Urbandale, outfielder Jaylen Ziegler appeared in 111 games over two seasons for the Bears.
As a freshman in 2023, Ziegler batted .337, with a .403 on-base percentage, including ten doubles, five triples, three home runs and 39 RBI’s. This past season as a sophomore, Jaylen batted .246, with a .364 on-base percentage, including nine doubles, five home runs, 45 RBI’s and 44 stolen bases. Over the course of two seasons, Ziegler totaled 34 extra base hits, 84 RBI’s and 58 stolen bases.
He has spent the summer playing in the Northwoods League for the St Cloud Rox, with Iowa teammates Jackson Beaman and Jaixen Frost. Ziegler has appeared in 33 games, batting .233, with a .406 on-base percentage, including a couple of home runs and 15 stolen bases.
We caught up with the 5-foot-11, 180 pound outfielder to discuss his transfer to Iowa and preview his upcoming season with the Hawkeyes.
Q: When do you move to Iowa City and what is your excitement level like for that move in day?
ZIEGLER: I plan on moving in a week before everything starts up to get a feel for Iowa City. My excitement level is pretty high. I’m ready to be there and get to work with everyone.
Q: What number do you plan on wearing and why?
ZIEGLER: I would love to wear the number 7 because it’s been my favorite/lucky number ever since I was 7 years old. It was my third year playing baseball and my coach asked what number I wanted to wear and being a 7 year old I thought it would be cool to wear my age. Ever since it has stuck and I have worn the number 7 every chance I get.
Q: What have you been doing this summer to prepare for when you join the team?
ZIEGLER: This summer I have been in St. Cloud, Minnesota playing summer ball with the Rox. I’ve been training constantly and trying to better my game in any way possible. Seeing live arms and just playing games has helped me prepare for Iowa for sure.
Q: You spent two years at DMACC, what did you learn during your time there that has helped prepare you to play at the DI level?
ZIEGLER: Something that I have learned is play the game for you not anyone else. Go out there each and everyday and just have fun and play the game how you always have played it.
Q: I see you have spent part of this summer playing in the Northwoods League with St Cloud. What have you been focused on improving? How has that experience been?
ZIEGLER: With my time in St. Cloud, I have been focusing a lot on improving my hitting and my approach at the plate. It’s been difficult at times because I’m known to overthink things and get down on myself, but I’ve been working a lot on just relaxing and thinking about bat to ball in a gap and it’s helped me.
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Q: Looking back at your recruitment out of the transfer portal, what stood out about the Iowa Baseball program that made them an easy choice over other schools?
ZIEGLER: Iowa has always been my dream school ever since I was a little kid being an Iowan kid. It was a no doubter with the opportunity that they provided me to just choose them on the spot.
Q: Were there any other teams that you heavily considered during your recruitment?
ZIEGLER: Early in the fall of my sophomore year at DMACC, Illinois State was a big consideration, along with South Dakota State and Valparaiso with both of those school having former DMACC coaches there recruiting me.
Q: What is your relationship like with the coaching staff? Who do you talk with the most?
ZIEGLER: I would say my relationship is pretty good. I went to a bunch of Iowa camps growing up, so I had the chance to meet all of the coaches and talk to them a little bit here and there when given the chance. I talk to Coach Sutherland the most no doubt.
Q: Have you gotten a chance to talk with any of the current players on team? What is your relationship like with them?
ZIEGLER: I have, two of them have been on my summer ball team this summer. Jaixen Frost and (Missouri transfer) Jackson Beaman. I also know a bunch of the guys on the team already such as Max Burt. I played with him in travel ball growing up along with Ty Plummer who was my travel ball rival for many years. All of those guys I talk to here and there and consider them my guys as I’ve known them all my life for the most part. I’ve gotten a lot closer to the boys on my summer ball team, so that’s been really nice to go into Iowa with knowing them a little more.
Q: If someone asked you “what do you bring to the Iowa team?” How would you describe your game?
ZIEGLER: I’d say a playmaker for sure. In the field I’m going to go make a play on the ball no matter what even if I have to dive ten feet to try to make the catch I’m going to do that for my guys. On the basepaths I love to stretch it and pick up extra bases in any way I can.
Q: Where does the coaching staff see you fitting in with the team?
ZIEGLER: I believe they see me coming in with speed and making an impact with that causing havoc for other teams and putting us in positions to score and make plays.
