WVU Baseball 2027: Players to Watch as Fall Ball Begins
Baseball is already back in Morgantown. And after last season, expectations in Morgantown are going to be a whole lot higher. West Virginia opened its fall schedule Friday with its first Gold vs. Blue scrimmage at Kendrick Family Ballpark, giving fans their first look at the 2027 Mountaineers. And after last season, there is plenty to […]
West Virginia University (WVU) baseball returned to action in Morgantown with the first Gold vs. Blue scrimmage at Kendrick Family Ballpark, marking the beginning of the 2027 fall schedule. Last season, the Mountaineers finished with a remarkable 47-17 record and made history by advancing to the College World Series for the first time in program history. As a result, expectations for the 2027 team are high.
A key player returning from last season is Gavin Kelly, who had a standout sophomore year earning First Team All-America and First Team All-Big 12 honors. Kelly hit 19 home runs, tying the WVU single-season record, and was named Most Outstanding Player of the Morgantown Regional. He also participated in USA Baseball Collegiate National Team activities and is expected to be a significant draft prospect in the 2027 MLB Draft.
Other familiar faces returning from the previous successful season include Armani Guzman, Tyrus Hall, and Matt Ineich. Guzman was among the best base stealers in the Big 12, while Ineich played an essential role and earned All-Big 12 honorable mention honors. The experience of these returning players could be crucial for a team aiming to replicate last season's success.
Among the newcomers, Morgantown native Slade Barton is a standout prospect. A high school standout, Barton was ranked No. 1 in West Virginia and is already making an impact at the collegiate level. The Mountaineers also added several freshmen and transfers who will be vying for roster spots as coaching staff Steve Sabins and his team assess how the team's new pieces will fit together.
With no games scheduled in September, fall ball offers WVU an opportunity to evaluate their new roster. This serves as a crucial step for the team in building a unit capable of competing again in Omaha. The Mountaineers will participate in two more Gold vs. Blue scrimmages against Indiana, providing fans with early glimpses of the new roster before the regular season begins. As the team prepares for the upcoming season, questions remain, but the first glimpse of the 2027 Mountaineers is now available for fans to see.
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