Former WVU Pitcher Called Up to Majors by Padres

Former WVU right-handed pitcher Ryan Bergert is getting a call up to the Big Leagues, the San Diego Padres announced on Friday.

Bergert is set to join the Padres bullpen on Friday as San Diego hosts the Tampa Bay Rays. The Canton, Ohio native is joining the big-league club after starting the year in Triple-A El Paso. He was the opening day starter for the Chihuahuas and in five starts this season is 0-1 with a 5.16 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 22.2 innings.

Got the call he's been waiting for!

Congrats @ryan10bergert 👏#HailWV pic.twitter.com/n9E2C7o5E5

— WVU Baseball (@WVUBaseball) April 25, 2025

Bergert, a sixth-round pick by the Padres in 2021, has logged 340.2 innings in five minor league seasons with 380 strikeouts and a 4.33 ERA. He is San Diego’s 21st-ranked prospect.

In two seasons with WVU, Bergert went 4-1 with a 2.30 ERA in 21 appearances. He struck out 68 batters in 58.2 innings. His Mountaineer career was cut short, first due to the COVID-19 pandemic during his sophomore year in 2020 and then to Tommy John Surgery before his junior year.

Bergert will become the 30th Mountaineer to play in the major leagues. He’ll join St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II as former WVU players currently on major league rosters. Former Mountaineer pitchers Alek Manaoh (Blue Jays) and John Means (Guardians) are currently on the injured list with their respective teams.

Bergert is also the second former Mountaineer pitcher from San Diego’s 2021 draft class to get called up to the major leagues after Jackson Wolf made his debut with the Padres in 2023.

Most of this story was taken from the WVU press release.

Find more coverage of ex WVU stars in the pros at WV Sports Now.