The 2025 season ended for West Virginia baseball with a tough Super Regional loss to the LSU Tigers. However, the disappointing end to the season did not stop Sabins and company from getting a quick start going after new talent in the transfer portal.
Last Saturday, WVU landed a commitment from right-handed pitcher Owen Puk. Puk entered the transfer portal after his third season at FIU. The right-hander was the third player to commit to WVU in the transfer portal, and the second pitcher to commit.
BREAKING: Per @64Analytics, Florida International RHP Owen Puk has committed to West Virginia. Puk posted a 4.91 ERA with 51 K in 40.1 innings. Big-time fastball that averages in the mid-90s (T99 MPH). Solid whiff on the SL. He is the brother of Diamondbacks pitcher AJ Puk. pic.twitter.com/xnpNNbwNTG
— On The Clock | College Baseball and MLB Draft (@OnTheClock_1) June 7, 2025
Puk is the brother of AJ Puk, who currently pitches for the Arizona Diamondbacks in the MLB. Despite spending time on the injured list, AJ Puk has served as the closer for the Diamondbacks, accumulating four saves in eight games so far in 2025.
Arguably, one of the biggest areas of struggle for the Mountaineers was the pitching staff. Friday night starter, Griffin Kirn, was the only Mountaineer pitcher to record over 67 innings pitched this season. The lefty recorded 99 innings pitched -- 32.2 more innings pitched over the next Mountaineer (Jack Kartsonas). Kirn's eligibilty is up, however, and a second WVU starter on the mound in Gavin Van Kempen has entered the portal. Numerous holes and questions will begin to flood in as we get closer to the 2026 season.
Puk should be a great addition to the bullpen or the back end of a weekend starting rotation. Starting in 10 of his 13 appearances, Puk (4-1) posted a 4.89 ERA in 35.1 IP. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native, allowed 21 walks to 43 strikeouts, good enough for a little over 2:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Also impressive is the fact he allowed just a .229 batting average against hitters who faced him 2025.
Looking to correct their issues on the mound, head coach Steve Sabins has been focused on bringing in arms to help strengthen the rotation and the bullpen. Already landing Division II talent Chansen Cole and FIU transfer Puk, it is obvious that Sabins and company are focused on improving their team's pitching staff for the 2026 season.