Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia’s Brodie Kresser played through pain last season.
Now, he’s playing with perspective this season.
“I’m blessed to be back,” he said.
After starting 59 games in 2025 — primarily at shortstop — the Jesup, Iowa native hit .278 with 12 doubles, three home runs and 41 RBIs. He led the Mountaineers with 50 runs scored and delivered in the postseason, going 4-for-5 with two runs against Clemson in the regional and scoring the game-winning run against Kentucky.
But behind the production was a shoulder that never fully cooperated.
“Waking up every single day knowing I’m going to have arm pain wasn’t the greatest thing,” he said.
Following the season, Kresser underwent surgery on his throwing shoulder, a process that has limited his throwing workload during offseason workouts.
“It’s a slow recovery,” he said. “It’s pushing that 9 to 12 months.”
The recovery has reshaped his role with WVU. With his throwing still building back strength, Kresser has shifted across the infield — including time at first base, a position he never anticipated playing at the Division I level.
“No, that was definitely not on the agenda,” he said.
The transition hasn’t just been about arm strength. It’s all about instincts.
“You can’t really be a shortstop at first base as much as you think,” Kresser said. “So, just being able to know where you’re at on the field, you know, trusting the coaches and everything else, teaching me over there as much as I can.”
Instead of ranging deep into the hole or turning acrobatic double plays, first base demands different footwork, awareness and trust. For the 6-foot-1, 180-pound utility man, versatility means opportunity.
“I’m down to play anywhere,” he said.
Offensively, the offseason became a reset. Limited defensively, he poured energy into refining his swing.
“I kind of switched my swing a pretty big amount,” he said.
Fully cleared to swing, he’s been able to stay aggressive at the plate even while managing his throwing workload. The arm remains in a structured program, but progress continues.
“I’m definitely focusing a lot on the rehab and the recovery,” Kresser said
Now a veteran presence on a roster that includes several newcomers, Kresser understands the responsibility that comes with experience. West Virginia finished 36-24 last season and reached the NCAA Tournament, and the expectations inside the clubhouse hasn’t changed.
“Everything we do is tough, it’s challenging, we push each other,” he said.
The Mountaineers believe they’re close to breaking through on a national level.
“We’re that close to making more and more history,” the senior said.
For Kresser, the goals are simple. Stay healthy. Stay available. Stay in the lineup.
“Just being in the lineup,” he said.
After 59 starts, 50 runs and a season played through daily discomfort, Kresser’s return isn’t just about position changes or rehab milestones.
It’s about appreciation — and another chance to finish what he started.
Photo Credit: Shanna Rose
