Sometimes, a baseball player does not get the right timing when it comes to playing collegiately. But for Jace Rinehart, returning home to West Virginia for the 2025 baseball season seems to be the best thing that could have happened to the outfielder.
Rinehart, also known to his teammates as “Rhino”, transferred to WVU after four seasons at USC Upstate. The Mannington, West Virginia, native played his high school baseball at North Marion High School, located about 45 minutes from Morgantown.
On Saturday’s game against Kennesaw State, ESPN+ commentators shared a story about Rinehart and his family during his recruiting process. According to the commentary team, when Rinehart did not initially receive a scholarship offer from WVU out of high school, his grandmother burned all of her WVU gear.
Even though Rinehart was not able to play for WVU right out of high school, he has more than earned his opportunity to play for the Mountaineers. During his three seasons with USC Upstate, “Rhino” steadily improved and put some very respectable numbers in his time in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He was a two-time All-Big South Second Team selection at USC Upstate.
In his freshman season, Rinehart earned a fair amount of playing time, and he showed USC Upstate coaches what was in store for the right-handed hitter. Rinehart hit for a .333 average, one double, two triples, and recorded eight RBIs in 66 at bats. Rinehart recorded a .762 OPS, which would be his lowest by a considerable amount in three seasons in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Earning more playing time, in his sophomore season, Rinehart started in 33 games and appeared in 42 during his sophomore season. During those 42 games, he recorded 129 at bats, which was a huge increase from his previous season. Rinehart posted a stat line of a .310 average, eight doubles, seven home runs, and 32 RBIs. That stat line earned “Rhino” an incredible .931 OPS.
His last season for USC Upstate was his best, which is a huge statement considering he had a .931 OPS in his sophomore season. Rinehart continued to improve—as he recorded a .366 average, 22 doubles, 17 home runs, and 59 RBI season. His 22 doubles set a conference record. Increasing an already super impressive .931 OPS, Rinehart’s OPS in his third season at USC Upstate was 1.085.
The Mannington native certainly brought that slugging ability to Morgantown. One season removed from seeing one of the best players in WVU Baseball history, JJ Wetherholt, drafted seventh overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, WVU needed any offense that they could get to make up for the departed Wetherholt.
Rinehart currently is second on the team in OPS with a 1.115 OPS, only trailing shortstop Brodie Kresser. If the Mountaineers want to see success in Big 12 conference play, “Rhino” could be a big part in that.