Colorado Rockies select UCLA right-handed pitcher Luke Jewett in 2024 MLB Draft

UCLA right-handed pitcher Luke Jewett has been selected by the Colorado Rockies in the eighth round of the 2024 MLB Draft, selected with the No. 228 overall pick in the draft.

Jewett is coming off his junior season with the Bruins, where he transitioned into a starting role with the team after previously working out of the bullpen.

In 15 starts, Jewett compiled a 2-5 record with a 4.35 ERA, working 82.2 innings and striking out 72 while walking 34. Opponents hit .270 off Jewett, a career low for him by a few percentage points.

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But the talented right-hander was also pretty good as a reliever, giving him some nice versatility at the next level.

In three seasons at UCLA, Luke Jewett racked up a 6-7 record with five saves, boasting a 4.29 overall ERA. He has recorded 121 strikeouts and walked 46 across those three seasons. There was enough there for MLB scouts to like him, as evidenced by his selection in the draft.

What MLB Draft analysts are saying about Luke Jewett

One of the interesting things that analysts noted about Jewett was that his velocity offering changed a bit when he moved out of the bullpen and into the starting rotation. It’ll bear monitoring whether he can get his velocity back up as a routine starter.

Regardless, he’s got a nice mix of pitches that he can utilize effectively.

Writes MLB.com, in evaluating Luke Jewett as a prospect ahead of the draft, ranking him as the No. 195 overall prospect:

“When he was a reliever, the 6-foot-4 Jewett threw his fastball in the 94-97 mph range, but as a starter this year, he’s been sitting around 92 and topping out at 94. His go-to pitch is his slider, a low-80s breaker that can have good bite to it at times. He also has a slower mid-70s curve that’s not as effective as the slider and a mid-80s changeup.

“Jewett repeats his unique delivery well, but with an over-hand slot and short stride, hitters see his fastball in particular very well. He’s generally around the strike zone, but he hasn’t commanded the ball well consistently and hasn’t adjusted to working as a starter effectively. His body and arm strength will surely garner interest, with most thinking a return to the ‘pen would help his stuff tick back up.”