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Campus Newcomer: Staley LHP Brody Irlbeck

On3 imageby: Kyle Huesmann07/30/25HuesmannKyle

We continue our Iowa Baseball Campus Newcomer series with an incoming freshman pitcher that will be amongst the best left-handed pitchers in the country to make it to a college campus. Staley High School left-handed pitcher Brody Irlbeck generated MLB Draft buzz, but it ultimately ends up being a huge win for Rick Heller and Co, as Irlbeck will now turn his focus to his upcoming freshman year at Iowa. He is rated as the #5 player in the state of Missouri and the #16 left-handed pitcher in the country by Perfect Game.

This past season, as a senior for the Falcons, Irlbeck was nearly unhittable on the mound. He finished with an 11-0 record, posting a 0.27 ERA over 71.0 innings, including 104 strikeouts to seven walks and just 32 hits allowed. At one point, Brody had a streak of 50.0 innings without a run allowed. Meanwhile, at the plate, Irlbeck slashed .347/.433/.570, totaling 15 doubles, four home runs and 38 RBI’s. His dominance on the diamond earned him MHSBCA 6A Player of the Year and Prep Baseball Missouri Player of the Year honors.

We caught up with the 6-foot-0, 175-pound left-handed pitcher from the Ozark State to preview his upcoming freshman year with the Hawkeyes.

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

IRLBECK: I’d say my excitement level is a 10/10 because it’s starting a new chapter in my life that I am ready for.

Q: What number do you plan to wear and why?

IRLBECK: I like a number that is symmetrical and decently looking and 22 was available. If I had to pick out of all the numbers, I would have gone with 8 or 23.

Q: You were named MHSBCA 6A Player of the Year at Staley High School this past season. What did it mean to you to receive an honor like that?

IRLBECK: It meant a lot knowing that I worked hard to achieve that goal and when I found out it was a huge reward knowing that all of the work paid off.

Q: I know you were looked at by some teams in the recent MLB Draft. What was it like going through that process and what did you learn about the draft that could be helpful going forward?

IRLBECK: It was definitely different for sure, having people there watching you warm up and play the entire time is a little nerve racking, but I feel like I got used to it. I also think going through that helped me learn the process of all of it, like the tips and tricks.

Q: What pitches do you have in your arsenal (speeds)? What do you consider your best pitch and why?

IRLBECK: I throw a 4-seam fastball that sits 90-93 and tops 95, circle changeup (80-83), curveball (76-80). and cutter (83-85). I would say my best pitch is my circle change because of the drop and the speed change. Both factors create a lot of swing and misses and weak contact which is what I’m looking for.

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

IRLBECK: The thing that stood out to me was the coaches, Coach Heller and Coach Sutherland both were very welcoming and easy to talk to when I was getting recruited.

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

IRLBECK: No not really, Wichita State was my only other offer.

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

IRLBECK: I think my relationship with the coaching staff is great. We don’t talk a whole lot, but when we do it’s like we’re best friends. I talk with Coach Sutherland the most.

Q: After you committed there was a change at pitching coach. What about your conversations with Coach Sean Kenny kept you locked into your commitment to Iowa?

IRLBECK: Yes, there were two changes. When I committed fall of 2022, Coach Lund was the pitching coach at the time, and then it was Coach McGrath and now it’s Coach Kenny. I was still locked in to go to Iowa either way but talking with Coach Kenny in the fall helped me get to know him more.

Q: You’ve spent some of the summer playing in the Kansas City Collegiate Summer League. What has that experience been like and what have you learned playing in that league? How has it prepared you for your arrival at Iowa?

IRLBECK: What I’ve learned is that play every game 100% even if it’s summer league. No matter the level, no matter the place, there will always be some dudes playing ball. It has prepared me by teaching me a lesson about playing the game of baseball.

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

IRLBECK: I’d say I’m a competitor, I can fill a lot of roles with pitching, hitting and fielding and a great teammate when it comes to supporting and having fun.

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

IRLBECK: I don’t really know any of them because I visited the weekend before everyone else, but I’ll develop good relationships with them throughout the year. I have good relationships with the guys that are already there when I hung out with them on my visit in the fall.

Q: I know pitching is what got you into some MLB Draft discussions, but do you feel like you can be a two-way player for Iowa and is that something the coaching staff sees you possibly doing?

IRLBECK: Yes, I am confident that I can be a good two-way player for Iowa in the upcoming years. I feel like the coaches believe in me to put the time in to be a great two-way player.

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

IRLBECK: My goal for freshman year at Iowa is to be the best player I can be and fill in the role as a pitcher and hitter to the fullest of my ability. I need to improve on making sure I stay locked in.

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