WVU Baseball Star Gavin Kelly Ascends to No. 1 Prospect Status

In keeping with program tradition, the 2026 WVU baseball team is led by a top prospect. And according to one national publication, Gavin Kelly has a chance to be drafted higher than any Mountaineer ever has.

As of May 20, Baseball America named Kelly as their current No. 1 prospect for the 2027 draft class.

Kelley, a 6-foot, 175-pound sophomore out of Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Pa., soared up the ranking due to emerging as a star in the Big 12 in his second season with West Virginia.

With postseason games to come, Kelly has 13 home runs, 48 RBI and four stolen bases in 52 games. He also has 77 hits, 54 runs scored and 16 doubles with a slash line of .379/.480/.680.

Kelly has played catcher, second base and even some in the outfield throughout his amateur career to this point. Excelling defensively at multiple positions in addition to his offensive prowess is a large part of what helps make Kelly stand out and be projected as a high MLB draft pick.

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