A season removed after making a Super Regional appearance against LSU, head coach Steve Sabins has the 2026 WVU baseball team ready to make some noise in the Big 12.
Led by three highly ranked players – including two returners from last season – the 2026 Mountaineers are set up to make another run at the College World Series in Omaha.
3 West Virginia Mountaineers included as Perfect Game ranks Top 100 players per position in each class
Perfect Game recently released their Top 100 players in college baseball per class. Returner pitcher Chase Meyer was ranked as the 38th-ranked player in the junior class by Perfect Game, while 2025 WVU standout infielder Gavin Kelly was the 57th-ranked player in the sophomore class. Incoming UNC Wilmington transfer outfielder Brock Wills also made an appearance, coming in as the 38th-ranked senior.
Some of the best in their class!#HailWV | @PerfectGameUSA pic.twitter.com/HtntFlPbTH
— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball) January 18, 2026
Meyer is returning as arguably the best pitcher on this WVU pitching staff. Gaining increasing attention before the 2026 MLB Draft, Meyer has dealt in his two seasons at WVU. Meyer had a breakout season last year, recording a record of 9-2 with a 3.94 ERA over 48 innings pitched, which massively lowered his ERA from 8.38 from his freshman season.
Meyer also increased his strikeout-to-walk ratio from 1.16 in 2024 to 1.65 in 2025, and is an exciting right-handed pitcher who will attract MLB scouts ahead of the 2026 MLB Draft.
Expecting a huge jump from @WVUBaseball RHP Chase Meyer in 2026, flashed electric stuff in 2025 with 63 punchouts over 48 innings
— The College Baseball Show (@CollegeBSBShow) January 18, 2026
Will be a major contributor for the ‘Neers this year
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Kelly, a 2025 All-Big 12 Freshman Team honoree, will be one of the big pieces returning for the Mountaineers for the 2026 season. In his freshman season, Kelly posted .299/.402/.395 slash line as a freshman, adding two home runs, two triples, six doubles, 37 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases.
Making starts at second base, and behind the plate, Kelly is an ultra-versatile infielder who can play multiple spots on the field because of athleticism and talent.
Wills joins the Mountaineers as they look to replace two important outfielders in Skylar King and Kyle West, and he has a good chance to be one of the replacements in the WVU lineup. A career .300 hitter, Wills recorded a .995 OPS in his junior season for UNC Wilmington.
Posting six home runs, 22 RBIs, nine stolen bases, along with a .351 average, granted the senior outfielder Second Team All-CAA honors for the Holly Springs, North Carolina native.
The Mountaineers did a great job at retaining top-tier talents and reloading via the portal this offseason and have the talent to be competitive once again in the Big 12. The questions that remain is just how deep this team is, and just how far they can go – and players like Meyer, Kelly, and Wills can help make that answer music to the ears of WVU fans.