White, Kartsonas are undrafted but sign; five other WVU players are drafted

By Bob Madison - For the Chronicle | Jul 25, 2025

Kartsonas

: Kartsonas

: King

: Porco

: Sauve

: West

: White

MORGANTOWN — The recent Major League Baseball draft not only touched West Virginia University’s roster, but will affect it directly for the 2026 season.

Two players who recently signed with Major League teams — utility player Sam White and pitching mainstay Jack Kartsonas — signed with teams after the mid-July draft had been completed, without their names being called. White signed as a free agent with Toronto and Kartsonas, a valued member of the WVU weekend starting rotation, inked a contract with Tampa Bay.

The highest drafted Mountaineer was catcher Logan Suave, taken in the seventh round by the nomadic Athletics. The slot money for the seventh round is $403,900. Suave has remaining collegiate eligibility and has until Aug. 1 to sign a professional contract. He could possibly return to WVU and play next season, but it is very doubtful that he will.

Selected in the 13th round was outfielder Kyle West by the New York Yankees. Slot money for any 13th rounder is $150,000.

Taken in the 14th round was pitcher Griffin Kirn by the Athletics. Slot money for the 14th round is also $150,000. Another Mountaineer pitcher, Robby Porco, was also selected in the 14th round. Porco was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

King

The final Mountaineer name called in the 2025 draft selection process was outfielder Skylar King. King’s name was summoned by the Boston Red Sox in Round 15. Slot money for the 15th round is also $150,000.

The 2025 Mountaineers reached one of the eight Super Regionals, when they prevailed in a four-team Regional held in Arizona. Their Super Regional opponent was LSU and the games were played in Baton Rouge. The Bayou Bengals won both games staged against the Mountaineers and then went on to win the College World Series’ national championship for the eighth time in school history.

WVU and Coach Steve Sabins will rebuild their roster with transfers and freshmen and attempt to reach the fabled NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season in 2026.

The Mountaineers have never played in the College World Series but have been very close in both 2024 and 2025. They were the outright champions of the Big 12 Conference’s regular season in 2025 and also won the most games in school history.

Sabins was in his first season as the team’s head coach after succeeding Randy Mazey. He had been Mazey’s long-time assistant coach.