By: James Gravley | WV Sports Chat
Maxx Yehl is coming off a season where he had Tommy John surgery and will enter the 2026 season expected to play a pivotal role in the pitching rotation for the Mountaineers.
Yehl missed the entire 2025 campaign.
He was 2-0 with a 3.99 ERA in 2024.
When he posted “unfinished business” on Instagram, it led to an overwhelming response of excitement from WVU fans.
“When I posted that, I meant that I have a lot to show to this organization and this community.”
But what is most important to Yehl, not just in his recovery time from Tommy John, but in his everyday life his belief in Jesus and his faith.
“Faith has been a crucial part of my recovery and mindset. It gives me strength and keeps me grounded through the ups and downs, helping me stay positive and focused on my goals,” said Yehl. “Faith has brought me a lot of peace. My relationship with God has made my life much easier by helping me learn to go of the negatives.”
And when it comes to this season, Yehl believes the Mountaineers are building something special.
“The 2026 Mountaineers are building something special,” he said. “The hard work and dedication the new guys have shown this summer, combined with the older guys really understanding what we need to do to be great, is setting us up for a strong season ahead.”
For the second straight season, the Mountaineers advanced out of the Regionals (Tuscon 2024, Clemson 2025) to get swept in the Super Regionals back-to-back.
Yehl is looking to be a catalyst leader for the pitching staff next season saying he wants to be “consistent and reliable” no matter the role that is thrown at him next season.
Yehl also is looking to be the best team guy in 2026. Whatever that looks like, he’s ready for that challenge.
“My personal goal for this upcoming season is to be the best team guy I can be. I’ve learned so much over the past couple of years, and being a leader and a friend plays a huge role at the end of the day.”
Photo: WVU Athletics
