Yankees Select Franchise Legend's Son in 2026 MLB Draft

Pettitte, 21, is the third of three sons to play baseball at a high level. His oldest brother, Josh, was drafted by the Yankees in the 37th round out of high school in 2013 but did not sign. He ended up pitching one season at Rice University but never reached pro ball. His other brother, Jared, played two minor league seasons after signing with the Marlins as an undrafted free agent.

In 2025, Luke opened his sophomore season with 11.1 scoreless innings on the mound before being shut down with a stress fracture in his back. Upon his return that summer, the right-hander found out he needed Tommy John surgery, ending his chances of pitching the following spring.

Pettitte had the option to sit out the 2026 season, which would have enabled him to pitch for DBU as a redshirt junior and enter the draft next summer with two years of college eligibility remaining. Instead, he played 42 games as a designated hitter, batting .337/.403/.693 with 16 home runs and 48 RBI. He had recorded just one collegiate plate appearance before this year.

In a recent interview with Sam Blum of The Athletic, Pettitte said he believed he would have been viewed as a third-round pick if he had been able to pitch the entire 2026 season. The 6-foot-2 right-hander showcased a low-90s fastball and quality mid-80s slider before getting injured, appearing mostly in a relief role after starting eight games as a freshman.

It is unclear what plan the Yankees have in store for Pettitte if he signs. He told The Athletic that his dad’s other former team, the Houston Astros, viewed him as just a pitcher, but other teams he spoke to throughout the draft process were willing to let him try both hitting and pitching.

Andy played 15 seasons in New York, pitching to a 3.85 ERA across his 18-year career before retiring in 2013. The 54-year-old now serves as a special advisor in the Yankees organization.