The Big 12 baseball season is underway, but West Virginia University (WVU) is facing a significant setback as one of its star pitchers, Chase Meyer, has been removed from the team's roster. Meyer, a right-handed pitcher, was expected to be a key player for the Mountaineers throughout the 2026 season. However, he is no longer part of the program, leaving a void in the team's pitching staff.
Meyer, who led the team in wins in 2025 and was a preseason all-Big 12 pick, had an impressive start to the season. In just 3.1 innings, he boasted a 2.70 ERA, five strikeouts, three walks, and three hit batters. His talent was evident, and he was ranked No. 64 among 2026 MLB Draft prospects by D1Baseball.com and No. 197 by Baseball America. The 6-foot-2 junior from Daytona Beach, Florida, was expected to handle the Friday starts for the nationally ranked Mountaineers, who were 8-2 at the time.
However, Meyer's season took a turn when he broke a finger on his pitching hand around Thanksgiving. This injury sidelined him for a few weeks, and he had to undergo a recovery plan to restore his arm strength. Despite his efforts, he only pitched twice and in relief during the first 10 games of the season. His first appearance came in the second game, where he entered the game in an 0-2 count and struck out a batter with a curveball for a called third strike.
In his next outing, Meyer hit a batter, struck out another, and walked a batter before being removed. Despite these challenges, he was credited with the win. He then appeared against Liberty, allowing a run without giving up a hit, walking two batters, hitting two batters, and throwing two wild pitches. In the most recent series, Meyer was with the team but was not among the eight relievers used in the three games against Kennesaw State.
Manager Steve Sabins expressed his concern about the team's pitching staff, stating that Meyer is no longer part of the program. He emphasized the importance of putting 18- to 24-year-olds in a good position to succeed, without delving into the details of the situation. Sabins also mentioned that the team is managing other developments with the pitching staff, such as the non-baseball injury suffered by sophomore JJ Glasscock and the flexor strain experienced by left-handed pitcher Ben McDougal.
Despite the setbacks, the Mountaineers are determined to move forward and find solutions to their pitching staff challenges. The team's resilience and ability to adapt will be crucial in their journey towards success in the Big 12 baseball season.
