John Bezdicek returns to the Saltdogs for his second season after a standout rookie year in 2022. Bezdicek, a product of Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA, pitched to a 3.76 ERA across 40 and 2/3 innings last year, striking out 43 hitters in the process. Bezdicek beat the Sioux City Explorers in the final game of the season, tossing five scoreless innings with just two hits allowed in a winner-take-all finale for the final playoff spot in the West Division. Bezdicek finished his college career at Kennesaw State, where he went 5-1 with a 3.76 ERA in 2022, but he spent four seasons with Southwest Minnesota State from 2018-2021. Bezdicek also pitched four seasons for Willmar in the collegiate summer wood bat Northwoods League, earning a very rare distinction of appearing across four seasons with one summer wood bat team.