WVU Baseball Signs Several Top Recruits to Roster

The WVU baseball program officially announced the signing of several recruits on Wednesday.

“I am thrilled about the quality of players and people we are bringing to WVU,” head coach Steve Sabins said in a press release.

“Coach Jacob Garcia and the entire staff have worked tirelessly to build one of the strongest classes ever assembled. In recruiting, we relentlessly search for the ‘total package’. The players in the 2026 class fit this mold.”

Over a year after initially committing to West Virginia, pitcher Slade Barton is now a Mountaineer.

Listed at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Barton, a Charleston, W.Va. native, is a right-hander known for an 88 mph fastball, according to Perfect Game. He also has a curveball and slider at his disposal.

“Huge thanks to my family and everyone else who has helped me on the way! Thank you to Coach Sabins and the rest of the staff at West Virginia University!,” said Barton when he committed in August of 2024.

West Virginia added a bat to their lineup as well in Jordan Burwell. Hailing from Pompton Lakes, N.J., Burwell is a first baseman and outfielder out of Seton Hall Prep.

Burwell has been locked in as a future Mountaineer as far as back as January of 2023

Left-handed pitcher Colin Harrison, a member of the class of 2026 out of Elkridge, Md., who also doubles up as an outfielder and first baseman, will provide Steve Sabins with versatility.

Harrison stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 195 pounds, possessing a fastball that lights the radar gun at 90 miles per hour, also mixing in a mid 70s breaking ball and a high 70s changeup.

For another pitcher, CJ Coats joined the mix as well. A right-handed pitcher from East Northport, N.Y., Coats boosts a 92 mph fastball.

A high school teammate of Coats, CJ Alfano will bring more offense to the WVU lineup. Alfano comes to Morgantown as New York’s top ranked first baseman prospect. Alfano hit .301 in 2024.

Kyle Casteel and Blake Krushinski will continue the Western Pennsylvania pipeline south to West Virginia. Casteel played under coach Josh Forbes at Butler Area High School. As a three-year letterman, Casteel most notably posted a 0.63 ERA his junior year. Casteel is ranked 18th overall in the state of Pennsylvania, and is the 10th ranked pitcher. He is the 203rd overall RHP nationally.

Blake Krushinski joins the Mountaineers from coach Jim Hastings, at Fox Chapel Area High School. The No. 200 player and No. 58 right-handed pitcher nationally according to Perfect Game, Krushinski was also on the WPIAL All-Section Team, a 2025 Underclassmen All-American (Atlantic Region), and 2025 All-Tournament Team WWBA Worlds.

Kayden Lipscomb played under coach Michael Frownfelter at Maryland’s Urbana High School. As an MSABC preseason All-State nominee, Lipscomb went on to be recognized as First-Team All-County, CMC First-Team, and participated in TeamXposure All-Star Weekend. Son of LaVictor and Dayna and brother of Trey Lipscomb of the Washington Nationals, he will be majoring in Communications at West Virginia.

Joshua Viars, a product of Walnut Grove High School in Texas, received several key honors in high school, including First Team All-District DH, Newcomer of the Year, First Team All-State DH, Second Team All-District SS, and four selections to the Academic All-District Team.

Seth Williams will join the Mountaineers after three seasons at Galveston College in Texas. After playing just three games as a freshman, Williams played 42 games as a redshirt-freshman and hit .299 with six home runs, 25 RBI, and 32 runs scored. A threat on the basepaths, he also added 13 stolen bases. At Ball High School, Williams was named First Team All-District and All-County for baseball as well as football.

Some of this story originated from the WVU press release. 

Find more coverage of the WVU baseball program at WV Sports Now.