Two WVU Baseball Offseason Additions Listed Among Top Incoming Big 12 Transfers

Coming off back-to-back Super Regional appearances, the WVU baseball program is geared for another successful season under second-year head coach Steve Sabins.

Trying to make the program to their third consecutive Super Regional appearances, Sabins and his staff did not shy away from attacking the transfer portal. 64Analytics ranked two transfers in their top eight Big 12 transfers. Catcher Matthew Graveline and outfielder Sean Smith were the third- and eighth-ranked Big 12 transfers, respectively.

Graveline is joining the WVU baseball team, coming from Ohio State, where he spent three seasons, and Smith transferred into the program from Georgia Southern in the Sun Belt Conference. The former Buckeye backstop Graveline slashed .282/.371/.513, equaling a .884 OPS, while adding 10 home runs, 53 RBIs, 11 doubles, and even swiping five bases as a catcher in his 2025 season. As for the former Georgia Southern player, Smith slashed .352/.458/.599, equaling a 1.057 OPS, adding nine home runs, nine doubles, two triples, six stolen bases, and 36 RBIs offensively.

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The Ohio State and Georgia Southern transfers are just the beginning of the transfer class that Sabins and his staff brought in for the 2026 season. Hitters who are newcomers via the transfer portal, in addition to Graveline and Smith, include Ohio’s Matt Ineich, James Madison’s Creed Erdos, Colorado Mesa’s Paul Schoenfeld, McMurry’s Michael Smosna, and UNC Wilmington’s Brock Wills.

The push to get more offensive weapons seems to have panned out very nicely in the transfer class of 2025. The Mountaineers also gained some arms via the transfer portal as well. Pitchers include Newberry College’s Chansen Cole, Seton Hill’s Ian Korn, Adelphi University’s Dawson Montesa, Hawaii’s Josh Suriago, and Tennessee’s Bryson Thacker.

Graveline and Smith are likely candidates to make the starting lineup once the season begins on February 13. Graveline could be interesting to see where he slides into the lineup with sophomore bat Gavin Kelly returning after a spectacular freshman season. Kelly is a catcher originally, but has played second base and some left field in his freshman campaign, and might return behind the plate or remain elsewhere in the field. On the contrary, Smith is almost certain to take an outfield spot after two key departures in the outfield (Kyle West and Skylar King).

There is still plenty of time left to figure out the best fits, even with the fall baseball season starting to wind down. And having a lot of options and limited openings is the dream scenario for any baseball coach/manager.