WVU baseball has picked up yet another commitment from the transfer portal, this time snagging a hot-hitting catcher from a nearby Big Ten program.
Former Ohio State Buckeye Matthew Graveline has chosen West Virginia as his new home, committing to join head coach Steve Sabins' squad on Thursday. Graveline is a rising star who spent the first three seasons of his collegiate career in Columbus.
Another pickup for @WVUBaseball as former buckeye Matthew Graveline @MGraveline09 has committed. Best of luck to him in ‘26. pic.twitter.com/3ceuTWbdjl
— 64Analytics (@64Analytics) July 10, 2025
The incoming senior hit .284 in his junior season, recording 10 home runs, 14 doubles, 56 RBIs, and five stolen bases for the Buckeyes. Graveline posted a .284/.373/.520 slash line during the 2025 campaign, which equated to an .893 OPS as a catcher. That sort of OPS from at catcher position is highly coveted, and shows that Graveline is a serious threat at the plate. The Centerville, Ohio native started all 50 games for the Buckeyes in 2025 and proved that he is someone who can and will start every game that the head coach needs him to play.
Graveline will be joined at the position by former Division III star Michael Smosna, who committed to WVU on June 24. Returning sophomore Gavin Kelly, who got playing time at second base and left field in addition to catcher during 2025, should also be back with the Mountaineers next season. WVU's starter at backstop in 2025 -- junior Logan Sauve -- also has eligibility remaining, but his return is dependent on whether or not he takes the step to the professional level.
The Mountaineers also had secured a commitment from Southern Illinois catcher John Lemm this offseason, who has since flipped his commitment to Alabama.
Athletes who can hit at a high level and catch is something that all coaches are trying to find. If they can play, Sabins and his staff have found ways to fill spots in the lineup for anybody who is hitting the ball well.
WVU is continuing to claim transfers in the portal. From an outsider’s perspective, it truly seems that Sabins and his coaching staff are doing everything in their power to retool their roster and make another Super Regional run in 2026 -- and hopefully even further.