By: James Gravley | WV Sports Chat
Bryson Thacker entered the portal from Tennessee and committed to West Virginia in a short period, but knew that after his first visit to Morgantown that he would likely be committing to the Mountaineers.
Thacker is spending his summer in the Appalachian League with the Johnson City Doughboys where he is rated as one of the top pitchers in the league.
Below is WV Sports Chat Q&A with Thacker.
James: What was the leading cause for you to transfer from a great Tennessee program?
Thacker: “My time at tennessee was awesome, I got to be surrounded by great players and coaches throughout my time, what eventually made me decide to transfer was so i can go into a new school and make an immediate impact and help lead a team to Omaha and eventually a national championship. Coming off of Tommy John and just wanting a shot to be out there and be a starter and help lead a team.”
James: What kind of interest, other than WVU, did you have in the portal?
Thacker: “It was a crazy first couple of weeks when I first entered the portal. I heard from just about all of the power 4 in some way.”
James: What made WVU stand out for you compared to the other programs?
Thacker: “What made WVU stand out compared to others was their ability to take a chance and help develop players. The development they put on the table and overall opportunities was something I knew I couldn’t turn down. On my visit they showed me many of things that they do and what they will begin to do once I step onto campus! On the school side the way the whole state rally’s behind the University and the support each team gets is awesome.”
James: What ultimately was the deciding factor for you to commit to WVU?
Thacker: “When i saw the new biomechanics pitching Lab I knew that WVU was all in on development and they definitely have the resources to do so. The last night of my visit I had dinner at coach Sabins house with the coaches and their families and that was awesome, just knowing that this is more then baseball it’s a culture and they are willing to take their time out of their day to help me feel welcomed and comfortable.”
James: You’re in the Appy League this summer, what skills from that league will you carry with you back to Morgantown next season?
Thacker: “The Appy League has been an awesome opportunity for me especially with it really being my first season off of Tommy John that I will and have been able to throw. It’s great competition and it’s been great to be able to get into a starter role and dominate. I plan on taking my skills to go deep into games at a starting role and use all of my pitches to both sides of the plate no matter the side of the hitter.”
James: And for fun. Pepperoni rolls, yes or no?
Thacker: “I actually had my first one on my visit. I enjoyed it.”
Thacker should make a push to be in the starting rotation for WVU next season. There are a lot of arms that have committed to the Mountaineers this offseason, but if he doesn’t wind up earning a starting role, expect him to be used heavily out of the bullpen next season.
