Milwaukee Brewers select Mississippi State right-handed pitcher Travis Smith in 2024 MLB Draft

Former Kentucky and current Mississippi State right-handed pitcher Travis Smith has been selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 15th round of the 2024 MLB Draft, taken with the No. 455 overall selection in the draft.

Smith only recently transferred to Mississippi State, so it’ll be interesting to see whether the redshirt sophomore signs a professional contract.

He was a bit inconsistent during his sophomore season at Kentucky, putting together a 3-4 record with a 6.21 ERA in 13 appearances, including six starts.

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In those appearances he rang up 37.2 innings pitched, striking out 33 while walking 22. He wasn’t quite as consistent as he was as a freshman, when he showed considerable promise.

As a freshman, Travis Smith went 4-3 with a 4.84 ERA in 13 starts. He threw 48.1 innings and racked up 43 strikeouts against 26 walks.

Regardless of the inconsistency, Smith was clearly able to show enough raw ability to MLB Draft scouts to earn a selection in this year’s proceedings. How he’ll progress from here will be interesting to watch.

What MLB Draft analysts are saying about Travis Smith

MLB Draft scouts definitely picked up on the inconsistency from Travis Smith during his Kentucky career, but he still has some excellent tools to work with.

Notably, his velocity stands out. Smith is also working to develop an array of pitches, which should help him battle around hitters a bit better.

Here’s what MLB.com had to say in evaluating Smith as a prospect, tabbing him as the No. 179 overall prospect in this year’s draft:

“Smith’s two-seam fastball operates at 93-95 mph and tops out at 97, featuring heavy life that induces a lot of ground-ball contact. His high-spin slider parks at 85 mph and peaks at 89 with both horizontal and vertical action, and he also can turn it into a low-90s cutter. He’s still developing feel for a sinking changeup that’s too firm in the upper 80s.

“As he puts his elbow reconstruction further behind him, Smith has improved his strength and conditioning and now carries 220 pounds on his 6-foot-4 frame. He’s also showing more aptitude for locating and sequencing his pitches. If he stays on track toward developing two plus offerings and average control, he could be a mid-rotation starter.”