The Bruins’ RBI machine is on his way to play professional baseball.

First baseman Mulivai Levu was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in Competitive Balance Round B with the No. 70 pick overall. Levu was the third Bruin to be selected in the 2026 MLB Draft. 

The Bruins’ three-hole hitter finished second in the nation with 85 RBIs in 2025, fueling the Westwood squad’s postseason run to its first Men’s College World Series appearance since 2013. Levu put up at least one hit in every postseason matchup during the 2025 campaign. 

And as the holder of the 2026 team-leading .340 batting average, Levu did not slow down one bit during his junior season. After knocking in 63 runs, Levu finished one shy of tying the team-high. 

The veteran corner infielder became UCLA baseball’s first-ever player in program history to receive a ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove in back-to-back seasons. Levu posted fielding percentages of .998 and .996 across those campaigns, respectively, only committing three errors in two years. 

The Huntington Beach, California, local spent nearly all his time with the Bruins manning first base. Out of his 171 games donning the blue and gold, Levu started all but three, cementing his place on the diamond. 

And although No. 1 overall pick shortstop Roch Cholowsky headlined this season’s UCLA draft class, Levu’s impact on this team was just about as integral.

He cut his strikeout rate to 11.1% during his junior season, down from 27.3% during his freshman season. Levu showed he can hit for power when the Bruins needed a run driven in, but he also displayed his development and discipline at the plate. He drew 30 walks during his final campaign in Westwood – setting a career high. 

The 2026 Big Ten Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player demonstrated his clutch hitting abilities with hot streaks throughout the last two seasons. But his heroics in clutch moments, including two walkoffs in back-to-back days when the Bruins were on the brink of elimination, cemented his status as a hitter that opposing pitchers need to be cautious with. 

Beyond his on-field impact, Levu has consistently shown his energetic personality on the diamond, a trait that appeared to bolster the Bruins in the dugout and off the field. He was the first player to lean into “The Power of Friendship” motto, which guided the Bruins through their last two campaigns. 

As Levu departs Westwood, he leaves behind a lasting legacy on the UCLA baseball program, marked by both team and individual success.

He will get his chance to do the same with the Reds.