Outside of catcher Logan Sauve, there was not much speculation about which WVU baseball players might hear their name called during the two-day MLB Draft. But in the end, a number of other Mountaineers had a chance to see their dreams come true.
Two pitchers that were a part of the 2025 WVU baseball team were selected in the later rounds of the 202 MLB Draft. Starter/reliever Robby Porco and ace Griffin Kirn were both selected on Monday, with Porco going in the 13th round to the Los Angeles Dodgers (405th overall pick) and Kirn going in the 14th round to the Athletics (410th overall pick).
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โ WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball) July 14, 2025
In the 13th round, Robby Porco has been selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers!@robbyporco | @Dodgers pic.twitter.com/KseU888sU0
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โ WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball) July 14, 2025
Griffin Kirn has been selected by the Athletics in round 14!@kirn_griffin | @athletics pic.twitter.com/lhgPSVyz7E
For Porco, if he chooses to sign his contract, he will be joining the organization that won the 2024 World Series. The Dodgers are known around the MLB community for stockpiling arms that can help them get through the strenuous 162-game season. Hailing from Warrington, Pennsylvania, Porco boasts a 6โ8โ frame that more than likely appeared to the front office of the Dodgers. The 2024 World Series Champions might see a tall and long pitcher that could increase their velocity, given an MLB-level conditioning and development.
As for the other former Mountaineer pitcher, Kirn, he will almost be guaranteed to sign his contract with the Athletics, as he does not have any eligibility remaining. Kirn might be joining his teammate Logan Sauve, if Sauve chooses to sign his contract and forgo his last remaining year of eligibility.
Diving into the 2024 season for Porco, he started as a weekend starter alongside Kirn and Gavin Van Kempen, who has entered the transfer portal. Porco was moved to the bullpen by Sabins and used as a long man out of the bullpen to eat some innings while keeping WVU competitive in the game. Porcoโs stats for the 2024 season read: 4.64 ERA, 21.1 innings pitched, 24 strikeouts, and 20 walks. The free passes that Porco issued were a big problem for the tall right-handed pitcher. 20 walks in 20.1 innings pitched is a recipe for giving up some runs. If Porco can rein in his control and develop some secondary pitches, he could be a fine pitching prospect for the Dodgers to keep in their minor league system.
Now, looking at Kirnโs season, he had much more success than Porco was able to have in 2024. Kirnโs accolades in his lone season at WVU after transferring from Division II Quincy University included NCBWAย Third Team All-American, All-Big 12 First Team, Big 12 All-Tournament Team, and Clemson Regional All-Tournament Team. All of those accolades were well deserved after Kirn went 5-3 with a 3.36 ERA in 99 innings, adding 103 strikeouts to 30 walks. The extra-base hits crippled Kirnโs chance at being one of the best pitchers in the country throughout the entire season. In his 99 innings, Kirn gave up 32 extra-base hits.
Mountaineer fans have to be excited to see Sauve, Porco, and Kirn all drafted in this yearโs MLB Draft. The more Mountaineers playing professional baseball further solidifies the level of success that the WVU baseball program has reached.