DENVER – Former Milwaukee pitcher Luke Hansel has signed a contract with the Colorado Rockies, making the jump to affiliated baseball after parts of three seasons with the Lake Country DockHounds.
 
Hansel played for Milwaukee during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, earning Horizon League First Team honors as a senior.
 
In 30 career appearances with the Panthers, Hansel pitched to a 4.54 ERA, including a 3.41 ERA in his final season. He tallied 150 strikeouts over 156 2/3 innings and finished his career with a 10-9 record in 29 starts.
 
"We are really excited for Luke," said head coach Shaun Wegner. "To get this opportunity in affiliated baseball has always been a goal of his. His path was not the easiest, but I give him credit for staying persistent and driven toward what he believed was possible."
 
Following his tenure with the Panthers, and a brief stint with the Lakeshore Chinooks of the Northwoods League, Hansel signed a professional contract with the DockHounds, a member of the American Association, for the remainder of the 2024 season. He pitched to a 6.44 ERA with 38 strikeouts over 50 1/3 innings in his first professional campaign.
 
In 2025, he made 19 starts with the DockHounds and posted a 9-5 record with a 3.48 ERA over 116 1/3 innings. He struck out 99 batters against 29 walks and 103 hits for an impressive 1.13 WHIP.
 
Hansel continued his success into the 2026 season with Lake Country, posting a 4-1 record over five starts. He had strikeouts over 29 1/3 innings and a 1.15 WHIP prior to inking his deal with the Rockies.
 
"Now the next journey is just beginning," added Wegner. "I'm sure he already has set new goals for himself. We wish Luke nothing but the best, and we will be following along on his journey with the Rockies organization."
 
Hansel becomes the first undrafted free agent to sign with a professional organization since Gunnar Eastman inked a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015. Since that time, 12 Panthers have been selected in the MLB First-Year Player Draft, while six players signed contracts with unaffiliated organizations.