In a time when the transfer portal has become an increasingly prominent part of college sports, it has had some unintentional side effects -- such as making the draft process even more confusing for college baseball stars. Because of the timing of the portal and the MLB Draft, we are now in an era where players can now be drafted after committing to the Mountaineers.
WVU baseball learned this the hard way with the recent news surrounding a transfer portal player who committed to the Mountaineers in June. On July 14, the Washington Nationals selectedOwen Puk in the 18th roundof the 2025 Draft. At the beginning of June, soon after WVU’s season ended in the Super Regional against LSU,Puk announced his commitment to WVU. Now, over a month later, Puk will be headed to the professional level of the sport.
Congratulations to Mountaineer transfer signee Owen Puk on being drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 18th round!#HailWVpic.twitter.com/l2Ntur31cI
— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball)July 14, 2025
According toWVSportsChat’s James Gravley, Puk will be signing his contract with the Washington Nationals. Puk, during his three-year career at Florida International, posted a 6.99 ERA with a 5-5 record. Those numbers do not scream “Friday night ace,” but his fastball sits in the mid-90s and can be topped out at 99 mph -- that level of a fastball could play well at the Big 12 level, keeping hitters off balance with the heat. So his loss will certainly be felt my the Mountaineers, despite the fact he never suited up for WVU.
Puk is the brother of current MLB pitcher AJ Puk, who currently plays a role the back end of the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen.
Owen Puk, the FIU transfer pitcher who committed to WVU out of the portal and was drafted by the Washington Nationals will sign with the club, forgoing his season at WVU.
— James (@mountaineerjdub)July 20, 2025
Despite losing Puk for the 2026 WVU baseball roster, the Mountaineers have plenty of options to step up on the mound next season, Other good options include transfer additionsIan Korn,Chansen Cole,and Bryson Thacker, and veteran right-handed pitcher Reese Bassinger hasannouncedhe will return to WVU as well.
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