Campus Newcomer: Millard West RHP Drew Deremer

We kick off the Iowa Baseball campus newcomers articles with a pitcher out of the state of Nebraska. Out of Millard West High School in Omaha, Drew Deremer is rated as the #3 RHP and the #8 overall prospect in the state by Perfect Game. Deremer and the Wildcats finished with a 32-7 record, but came up just short of a second straight state championship, as Lincoln East took them down in the final game. Drew was named to the Class A All-State team and now turns his focus towards his freshman season with the Hawkeyes.

Congrats to Millard West's @DeremerDrew for being selected to the 2023 All-Nebraska baseball team!

Meet the team: https://t.co/Cl2khLBNpH #nebpreps pic.twitter.com/u0R4Kf73qd

— World-Herald Sports (@OWHsports) June 4, 2023

We caught up with the 6-foot-3, 190 pound right-handed pitcher to preview his upcoming freshman season with the Hawkeyes.

Q: When do you move to Iowa City and what is your excitement level like for that move in day?

DEREMER: I move in on August 13th and my excitement level is through the roof to get to move in with the other incoming freshman.

Q: What number do you plan on wearing and why?

DEREMER: I want to wear number 7 because it has always been my lucky number and I wore it for most of my life.

Q: What did it mean to be named to the Nebraska Class A All-State team this past season?

DEREMER: To be named on the All-State team was an honor because every time I went out on that field I left my all and I spent countless hours working hard to get to that point.

Q: How would you evaluate the way you played during your senior season?

DEREMER: The way I would evaluate myself is it’s the best season I’ve ever had and helped lead my team to victories.

Q: What pitches do you have in arsenal? What would you say is your best pitch?

DEREMER: The pitches I have in my arsenal are 4-Seam fastball that tops out around 92 and I have a 2-Seam Fastball that tops out around 90. I have a change up that is around 76, a slider that tops out around 80 and my last pitch is a curve ball that’s around 79. I would say my best pitch is my slider because I get a lot of whiffs and strike outs with it.

Q: What have you been doing since the high school season to prepare for when you join the team?

DEREMER: I’ve been working on my mechanics and I’ve been lifting weights everyday to help me prepare for joining the team.

Q: Looking back at your recruitment, what stood out about the Iowa Baseball program that made them an easy choice over other schools?

DEREMER: What stood out to be about Iowa as I was getting recruited was their pitching staff and their coaches. When I was talking to Iowa I made an immediate bond with the coaches and their pitching staff is one of the best in college baseball.

Q: Were there any other teams that you considered during your recruitment?

DEREMER: Other teams I considered during my recruitment were University of Nebraska Omaha, South Dakota State, Tennessee Martin and Illinois State.

Q: What is your relationship like with the coaching staff? Who do you talk with the most?

DEREMER: I would say my relationship with the coaching staff is pretty good. I like having conversations with them and talking about stuff. I would say I talk to pitching coach Sean McGrath the most.

Q: What is your relationship like with the other incoming freshman? Current players?

DEREMER: My relationship with the other incoming freshman is really good. I love talking to them, hanging out with them and laughing and joking around. With current players is pretty good as well.

Q: If someone asked you “what do you bring to the Iowa team?” How would you describe your game?

DEREMER: I would say I bring grit and hard work to the team.

Q: What are your goals for your freshman season at Iowa? What areas of your game do you want to improve?

DEREMER: I would say for a goal to my freshman year is I want to be able to pitch a few games and help the team win. I want to improve on the location of my pitches.