UCLA’s Jake Bird Selected by Colorado Rockies in Fifth Round of MLB Draft

UCLA senior Jake Bird was selected in the fifth round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Colorado Rockies today. Taken with 156th selection, Bird is slotted to make approximately $323,800.00.

Bird was expected to leave the UCLA program after his junior year in 2017, but a mid-season shoulder injury derailed those plans, paving the way for Bird to return for his senior year in 2018.

Bird, UCLA’s “Friday starter” this year, had a very successful senior season, going 7-4 with a 2.18 ERA, and improving upon the numbers in his junior season (5-5, 2.75 ERA), when he pitched on Saturdays. The win-loss record this season is somewhat deceiving, as Bird did not receive any run support in two of his four losses, losing both contests by the score of 2-0.

Bird, a 6’4” right hander, started sixteen games this year, throwing at least six full innings in all but one start, easily leading the Bruins with 111.2 innings pitched. Although Jake does not strike out a lot of batters (his fastball tops out at about 92 MPH), he is an excellent “ground ball” pitcher, who gets the job done with his ability to locate his fastball, as well as his curve, slider, and change up.

Jake has had a fine UCLA career and an excellent 2018 season. Please join Bruins Nation in wishing Jake nothing but the best as he continues his baseball career with the Rockies!

Congratulations, Jake.

Go Bruins!