By: James Gravley | WV Sports Chat
Andrew Middleton is going to be an impressive addition to the West Virginia pitching rotation in 2026. That is in fact if he can remain healthy.
He transferred in to WVU from UMass where he appeared in just four games and 11.2 innings of work last season before suffering season ending Tommy John. In those four appearances he did manage 29 strikeouts while walking 11 batters.
Now, battling back from that, he’s looking to make an impact within the rotation wherever that may be.
“My recorvery this offseason has been great,” Middleton said. “I am back throwing bullpens at 90% intensity and I have been working on eating right and getting my body in the best shape possible,” he said.
However, Middleton did not get a chance to show off his recovery during the fall, but has put in continuous work to improve himself to better perform in 2026 to help WVU get to the next level while still rehabbing before Opening Day in February.
“Unfortunately I was not able to compete this fall but I spent the fall rehabbing and putting myself in the best spot to be and stay healthy while getting my body in the best shape possible.”
In 18 appearances at the collegiate level, Middleton has only started in four of those games where he has worked a combined 35 innings with 54 strikeouts and 27 walks. He also has allowed 17 hits and 14 walks along the way over 155 batters faced while with UMass.
He also has a career 13.9 SO rate over nine innings.
He’s bringing what he learned at UMass to WVU; which is, hard work pays off and being a competitor will get him to where he needs to be with WVU.
“During my time at UMass I learned how to be competitor and pitch in tough spots,” he said. “I will be ramping up to start the year still but I feel as whatever role I can have to put the team in the best possible position to go to Omaha and win a national championship.”
Middleton knows about postseason ball due to the two years at UMass they went to the postseason for the first time in 12 years. During that time he also got some leverage roles within the pitching rotation.
Middleton also knows that committing to WVU means there won’t be just support from the team or coaches, but also from the fans as well, calling it a “different feeling” when it comes to baseball in West Virginia saying the culture is “amazing”.
Although he has heard from scouts, he won’t let that distract him heading into the 2026 season.
“I have heard from a couple scouts throughout the fall but I am focused on taking care of business in the spring and letting everything fall into place with my performance. It is a dream of mine to be a pro but I am focused on bringing a national championship to WVU first.”
Middleton is rated as my number two pitching transfer to watch for the Mountaineers this season.
West Virginia will open its season on the road with a three-game series against Georgia Southern from February 13-15.
