WVU Baseball had multiple players taken in the 2026 MLB Draft, as well as a number of players picked up by teams after the draft was over.
Despite WVU losing high-caliber players like Maxx Yehl and Paul Schoenfeld to the draft or graduation like Brodie Kresser Carson Estridge, WVU looks to be in good shape for next season. Read more: Kelly and Guzman’s returns signify WVU’s strong foundation.
A big reason for that lies on the shoulders of two players — Gavin Kelly and Armani Guzman. The return of the duo has given the Mountaineers the ability to pick up right where they left off in the historic 2026 season.
Related: MLB Draft Day 1: Two WVU Baseball pitchers drafted within first 100 picks
The importance of their returns
For Kelly, a lot of fans speculated that he might leave WVU for a school that could give him more money. The SEC was looming in many people’s head in fear of one of their elite baseball program stealing arguably the best catcher in college baseball.
However, that was never the case. There were never any reports of Kelly even considering leaving West Virginia. Instead, he quietly kept to himself, likely worked out some business with head coach Steve Sabins behind the scenes, and opted to finish out his college career with the Mountaineers.
Kelly was recruited by Sabins shortly before he officially became the Mountaineers’ head coach. Two seasons later, the pair have grown together, with Sabins emerging as one of the nation’s top young coaches and Kelly establishing himself as one of the premier players in college baseball.
The Pennsylvania native is already slated as a top-10 pick in the 2027 MLB Draft. However, before he takes his talent to the professional ranks, he’ll have one more in college in hopes of taking West Virginia back to Omaha for the College World Series.
In 2026, Kelly led the Mountaineers in batting average (.391), home runs (12), RBIs (46), hits (72, OPS (1.178), slugging percentage (.696), and total bases (128). He also led the Big 12 in hits, doubles, and triples.
His offensive production and defensive work behind the plate is crucial for WVU’s success. However, Guzman’s return can not be overshadowed.
The incoming senior is coming off a 2026 campaign where he broke the WVU single-season stolen base record with 43. That also led the Big 12, the next closest was 26.
Guzman has become a regular on WVU’s roster, and his return marks a significant one for WVU’s chances next season.
Why this shows WVU’s strong foundation
The return of Guzman and Kelly clearly strengthens WVU’s chances at a strong season next year. The two of them led WVU in a number of categories, as well as being one of best at what they do.
However, it also points towards the strong foundation that West Virginia has built. In large part due to Sabins, the Mountaineers have put themselves in the conversation of one of college baseball’s elite programs.
After years of steady growth in the 2010s, WVU is now at the place where so many never thought they could. And ability to retain high caliber players like Kelly and Guzman are evident in the growth WVU has had.
Coming out of high school, Kelly earned recognition as the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania. Not only did Sabins manage to bring him to WVU, but Kelly has continued to exceed expectations each year.
And just like fellow Pennsylvanian JJ Wetherholt a few years earlier, Kelly has positioned himself to become a top-10 pick. The fact that West Virginia was able to retain a player of that magnitude is huge.
Related: Former WVU Baseball standout JJ Wetherholt signs $112.5 million extension
It proves that Sabins not only can recruit at a high level, but he can also build strong relationships with his players. Guzman is another example of that, as he will finish his collegiate career exactly where he started it in 2024.
Before Sabins took over as the head coach, he was on former head coach Randy Mazey’s staff for nearly a decade. That type of loyalty has bled through the entire program.
Despite the ever-growing transfer portal and the high number of players who enter it each year, West Virginia continues to show it can retain the majority of its players.
A bright future
With West Virginia coming off its best season in program history, the expectations around the program are as high as ever. This is not a program on the rise anymore, but instead one firmly in position near the top.
Every year is different; some years will be better than others. However, WVU has proven in just a few years time that it will consistently be in the conversation.
Now the Mountaineers will once again be in that conversation for the 2027 season. With Guzman and Kelly leading the way, West Virginia has a prime opportunity to reach the top of college baseball’s mountain once again.
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