New York Yankees select LSU pitcher Thatcher Hurd in 2024 MLB Draft

Following one season at UCLA and then two at LSU, right-handed pitcher Thatcher Hurd has been selected in the 2024 MLB Draft. He went with the No. 89 overall pick in the third round to the New York Yankees.

A Manhattan Beach native from the Los Angeles area, Hurd spent one year at UCLA before transferring to LSU, where he spent the past two seasons, posting a 5.68 and 6.58 ERA in those years. Hurd also decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal again following the 2024 season.

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Hurd put together a very promising freshman campaign in 2022, appearing in nine games and starting six to finish with a 2-0 record and 1.06 ERA. However, an injury cut that terrific freshman year short.

Unfortunately, Hurd’s partial rookie year still stands as his best season statistically, as the transition to the SEC, plus a heavier workload, led to worse performance in 2023 and 2024. Surely the injury didn’t help either.

But according to pro scouts, there’s still a lot to like.

What MLB Draft experts are saying about Thatcher Hurd

MLB.com has conveniently provided full in-depth scouting reports of seemingly every prospect likely to be drafted, including Hurd. Once seen as a possible first-rounder, Hurd hasn’t had the easiest past couple of seasons but still provides plenty of promise as a prospect.

Here is the breakdown from MLB.com:

“He projected as a possible first-round pick for 2024 before persistent control and command issues sunk his chances. Hurd shows a quality fastball/slider combination even when he struggles. His fastball ranges from 93-96 mph and tops out at 98 while taking a sharp right turn at the plate. His high-spin slider sits at 84-86 mph and reaches 91 with plenty of horizontal and vertical action. 

“He’s athletic and has a quick arm, so the ingredients are there for at least average control, which would allow him to pitch in the front half of a big league rotation. Some evaluators think his inability to find the strike zone will land him in the bullpen, where both his fastball and slider could play as plus-plus offerings in shorter stints.”

According to the LSU Athletics website, some of Hurd’s collegiate accomplishments with the Tigers include:

• 2023 NCAA Baton Rouge Regional All-Tournament Team
• 2023 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll
• SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week (March 13, 2023)
• Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week (March 13, 2023)
• Posted a 3-4 record in 2024 with a 6.55 ERA in 18 appearances (nine starts), recording 56 strikeouts in 44.0 innings