In a major recruiting upset, five‑star freshman right‑handed pitcher Chase Meyer announced his commitment to West Virginia University, spurning powerhouse baseball programs at LSU, Vanderbilt, and TCU. The announcement, which came during Baseball America’s Top Prospect Showcase on June 9, has sent shockwaves throughout the collegiate baseball community.
Meyer, a 6-foot‑2, 175‑pound right‑hander from Combine Academy in North Carolina, burst onto the national scene last year. Garnering a No. 110 overall ranking and No. 31 RHP slot in Perfect Game’s 2022 class, he was also a standout at the prestigious PG All‑American Game and National Showcase (wvusports.com). His high school résumé includes multiple All‑State selections under coach Alex Speas, and his performance drew attention from scouts across the country (wvusports.com).
Despite being heavily recruited by traditional baseball titans, Meyer’s choice of WVU caught many by surprise. Among the finalists were LSU, coming off a season capped by a College World Series appearance; Vanderbilt, renowned for producing major-league talent; and TCU, which claimed the 2023 Big 12 tournament and reached Omaha in ’23 . Each program offers a storied tradition and deep postseason pedigree.
However, Meyer cited a strong connection with West Virginia’s freshly appointed head coach, Steve Sabins, and the Mountaineers’ ascendant trajectory under his leadership. Sabins, in his first year at the helm, guided WVU to a program‑best 44–16 record and a Big 12 regular‑season title, before falling to LSU in the Super Regional (en.wikipedia.org). He also brought Meyer and closer Reese Bassinger onto the esteemed NCBWA Stopper of the Year midseason watch list this spring (si.com)—a testament to the strength of WVU’s pitching development.
In his freshman season on the Morgantown campus, Meyer made 13 appearances—including a start—posting an 1–1 record with an 8.38 ERA and 28 strikeouts over 19⅓ innings (si.com, wvusports.com). With WVU’s competitive Big 12 schedule and continued postseason aspirations, Meyer told reporters he believes “the fit and opportunity here are unmatched.”
His commitment is a coup for West Virginia, demonstrating that the program now competes with traditional blue-bloods for elite talent. Scouts foresee Meyer contributing in the back end of the rotation or stepping into high-leverage relief roles as a sophomore—especially if WVU keeps building on its recent success.
LSU, Vanderbilt, and TCU, trailing Meyer’s announcement on social media, reiterated their confidence in the depth of their current recruiting. But West Virginia’s haul leaves a statement: WVU is gaining real momentum, capturing key recruits and reshaping expectations for the Mountaineer baseball program.
With Meyer’s arm joining a roster that’s already deep in pitching talent, WVU fans are buzzing—and the broader baseball world is taking note.
