By: James Gravley | WV Sports Chat
The West Virginia Mountaineers spent the offseason focusing on its main issues over the last two seasons – the pitching staff – and went out and had a total of six pitchers commit out of the portal.
On the flip side the Mountaineers also had eight position players commit out of the portal totaling at 14 players commuting.
Full transfer list for WVU baseball:
•LHP Andrew Middleton – (UMass)
•LHP Joshua Surigao – (Hawaii)
•LHP Bryson Thacker – (Tennessee)
•RHP Ian Korn – (Seton Hill – D2)
•RHP Dawson Montesa – (Adelphi – D2)
•RHP Chansen Cole – (Newberry – D2)
•OF Paul Schoenfeld – (Colorado Mesa – D2)
•INF Matt Ineich – (Ohio)
•C Michael Smosna – (McMurry – D3)
•C Matthew Graveline – (Ohio State)
•OF Brock Wills – (UNCW)
•OF Sean Smith – (GA Southern)
•INF Colton Sims – (Vandy)
•C Creed Erdos – (JMU)
Top five incoming transfers:
No. 5 – OF Sean Smith
Smith committed to WVU from Georgia Southern and comes to WVU with experience in the outfield which will be needed with Skylar King now playing pro ball with Red Sox. Fully expect him to have a big season at the plate as well for WVU.
No. 4 – LHP Bryson Thacker
Thacker committed to WVU from Tennessee and was rated as one of the top pitchers in the Appalachian League this past summer. He made strides to the top of the pitching ranks. He will make some rotational noise, bur more than likely works out of the bullpen this season.
No. 3 – C Matthew Graveline
Graveline committed to WVU from Ohio State and will likely get a lot of reps behind the plate, along with Gavin Kelly. Graveline also can play some outfield as well, but I expect him to get most of the playing time for WVU behind the plate. He will also be used a designated hitter and from time to time he will be used as a corner outfielder.
No. 2 – RHP Ian Korn
Korn committed to WVU from Seton Hill and has a strong pitching arsenal. He will be a big time rotational piece for WVU and could hear his name called in next summers MLB Draft. I expect him to lead the team in strikeouts.
No. 1 – RHP Dawson Montesa
Montesa committed to WVU from Adelphi where he was a highly touted transfer prospect. Luckily for WVU he chose the Mountaineers’ and is expected to also be a guy who should hear his name called in next summers MLB Draft. He will have the most successful season overall when it comes to the pitching staff, which is why in this ranking he comes in at No. 1 overall.
