Detroit Tigers select UCLA LHP commit Ethan Schiefelbein in 2024 MLB Draft

The Detroit Tigers have selected UCLA left-handed pitcher commit Ethan Schiefelbein in the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft.

Schiefelbein, a California native, is regarded as one of the top left-handed high school pitching prospects in the 2024 draft cycle.

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Before leaving the high school ranks, he already had experience pitching multiple times for Team USA, where he was one of the strongest assets to his 18U team in Taiwan in 2023.

He’s pitched for Team USA on multiple occasions and he was arguably the best pitcher on the 18U team in Taiwan in 2023, allowing just one run over nine innings and striking out 12. He continued to show he likes the spotlight by tossing a complete-game shutout to help Corona win the National High School Invitational in early April.

“At 6-foot-1, Schiefelbein isn’t the biggest or most physical pitcher in the class, but the left-hander makes up for it by being one of the most competitive arms in the crop,” MLB’s scouting report reads. “He has a four-pitch mix, starting with a two-seam fastball that typically sits in the 90-93 mph range. He favors his true top-to-bottom curve, but it’s more of a get-me-over kind of pitch. Scouts may prefer his harder slider, which has the chance to be a true outpitch. He has a good feel for a changeup, which could be above average in time.

“There is some effort in Schiefelbein’s delivery, particularly in his lower half, and he doesn’t have the longest extension in the world. But the UCLA recruit has shown the ability to throw strikes and clearly knows how to navigate an at-bat. His makeup and ability to get outs against top competition make him the best pitching prospect out of Corona High School since Tristan Beck played there before heading to Stanford.”

Schiefelbein will now be tasked with the decision to take his talents to the MLB or honor his commitment to UCLA.

The Bruins finished the 2024 college baseball season with a 19-33 record. Schiefelbein’s reputation as a top high school pitcher suggests that he could immediately impact the Bruins’ pitching staff next season. UCLA ultimately missed out on the NCAA Tournament this season after earning a trip to a Regional in 2023. However, they haven’t advanced to a Super Regional since 2019 and the last time they found themselves in the College World Series was in 2013 when they won it all.