KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Luke Thelen has been selected in the 15th round, 438th overall, by the Colorado Rockies in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft.
 
Thelen becomes the 11th Bronco to be selected in the MLB Draft during the tenure of head coach Billy Gernon, and the 115th all-time selection from WMU. Thelen is the first Western Michigan player drafted by the Rockies since Ethan Hollingsworth in 2008.
 
A native of Caledonia, Mich., Thelen became one of WMU's top relievers this spring, posting a 3.53 ERA and limiting opposing hitters to a .233 batting average. In 25 appearances, the righty collected a pair of saves and racked up 58 strikeouts in 43.1 innings (12.0 K/9). In conference play, he boasted a 2.19 ERA and fanned 35 in 24.2 innings (13.1 K/9). Thelen recorded the final outs as the Broncos secured the 2024 MAC Tournament Championship, and after the season was named a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection.
 
In 2023, Thelen spent the majority of the season as a starter, with 10 of his 12 appearances coming in a starting role. He totaled 42 strikeouts in 37.1 innings (10.1 K/9) and limited opponents to a .237 batting average. One of his best starts of the year came at Notre Dame, where he went 6.0 innings and allowed one run on five hits while piling up a career-high nine strikeouts. He struck out 18 in 15.0 innings (10.8 K/9) across 13 appearances as a redshirt freshman in 2022.
 
A three-time Academic All-MAC selection, Thelen made 50 total appearances, including 13 starts, on the mound in three seasons for the Brown and Gold. He piled up 118 strikeouts in 95.2 innings for a career strikeout rate of 11.1 per nine innings.
 
Thelen graduated from WMU with a degree in Accountancy in December of 2023.