Iowa Baseball had a rough end to the 2025 season, but has been successful under the tutelage of Manager Rick Heller.
After being hired as the manager in 2014 Heller rejuvenated a bad Hawkeye program and turned it around.
During Heller's tenure with Iowa, the Hawkeyes have amassed 384 wins (a 32-win per season average) and have advanced to three NCAA Regionals.
Iowa slo won the 2017 Big Ten Tournament, their first title since winning the regular season title in 1990.
In his 37 years as head coach, Heller has earned 1,074 career wins, ranking No. 6 all-time.
Heller has also been exceptional in player development, having multiple players selected during the MLB Draft.
The two-day 2025 MLB Draft began on Sunday, July 13, with one Hawkeye, Cade Obermueller, being selected on day one (round 2, No. 63 overall). On day two, the Hawkeyes had three players selected, beginning with pitcher Daniel Wright.
The Wright pick.@Dan11Wright x #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/Nfm2E4XFxb
— Iowa Baseball (@UIBaseball) July 14, 2025
Former Hawkeye Daniel Wright had a unique journey before being selected by the Chicago White Sox with the No. 286 overall pick in the 10th round of the 2025 MLB Draft.
After graduating from Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, in 2021, Wright initially chose to walk on to the Wisconsin Football program.
Football did not work out for Wright and he decided to return to Iowa and play baseball for Iowa Western Community College. After posting a 3-1 record with a 2.55 earned run average (ERA) and 31 strikeouts in 24.2 innings, Wright transferred to Houston.
After two seasons, with the Cougars, Wright returned home once again to play for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Last season for the Hawkeyes, Wright posted a 2-2 record with a 3.41 ERA in 18 appearances (2 starts). He also tallied 20 strikeouts in 29 innings.
Wright became the second Iowa pitcher to be drafted as he heads to the windy city to try and aid a struggling franchise.