The Mountaineers outfield will look very different in 2024, with all three starting outfielders from last season no longer with the program.
“There’s three outfielders that we lost all had [about] double-digit homers, double-digit stolen bases,” West Virginia baseball head coach Randy Mazey said.
Braden Barry, an All-Big 12 second team member in 2023, who stole 24 bases, hit .290 with eight home runs and 44 RBIs was drafted in the eighth round of the 2023 MLB draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, No. 244 overall.
Landon Wallace, WVU’s left fielder last season, who hit .312 with 11 homers, 49 RBIs and 17 stolen bases, signed with the Los Angeles Angels as an undrafted free agent.
West Virginia also lost Caleb McNeely, who had 16 stolen bases, slashed .297, with 49 RBIs and 12 home runs.
“I knew replacing those three outfielders was going to be a trick because those guys were really good for us,” Mazey said.
As to who exactly might replace those three are unknown with players still battling for starting positions.
However, guys like sophomore Skylar King, who played in 17 games last year, making two starts with three RBIs and junior Tyler Cox who played in 25 games, starting one with four stolen bases, a double and RBI may be frontrunners.
Otherwise, the Mountaineers have young and inexperienced outfielders, with four freshmen listed as outfielders on their roster, who could see playing time as platoons, gaining valuable experience for seasons to come.
