JJ Wetherholt is currently the darling West Virginia alum making waves in the MLB with an impressive debut season in the major leagues. He also can claim the honor of being the program's highest-ever selected draft pick, going No. 7 overall in the 2024 MLB Draft.
But he may lose claim to that title soon, and have to share the spotlight at the next level with another impressive WVU star. Because Baseball America recently updates their list of 2027 NCAA Draft Prospects, and West Virginia infielder Gavin Kelly found himself at the top of the list.
Gavin Kelly ranked No. 1 overall 2027 NCAA Draft Prospect
On their updated rankings which debuted earlier this week, Kelly was ranked as the top overall 2027 NCAA Draft prospect, giving reason to believe he could hear his name called quite early once he heads to the MLB Draft.
Gavin Kelly is the new No. 1 college prospect in the 2027 draft class 🔥
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) May 20, 2026
The @WVUBaseball star headlines today's update: https://t.co/HniabC11EZ pic.twitter.com/7GF2KgzOyn
Kelly has certainly done his part to earn such high praise, stunning both West Virginia and Big 12 fans since he rolled onto the diamond last season as a true freshman, making 51 starts and 45 appearances. This season, Kelly has started 49 of the team's 50 games, and is currently touting a .387 batting average and has recorded 47 RBIs, 53 runs, and 75 hits. He is currently a semifinalist for the Dick Hoswer Trophy and Golden Spikes Award.
Only three West Virginia players have been selected in the first round of the draft before, with Wetherholt being the highest-selected player with the seventh-overall pick. In 2019, Alek Manoah went at No. 11 overall, as did Chris Enochs in 1997. If these rankings hold, it's possible Kelly could not only the team's top MLB Draft pick in program history, but also potentially their first-ever No. 1 selection.
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