WVU baseball: Gavin Kelly named #1 college major league prospect

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — West Virginia baseball continues to receive national recognition, and this time it’s one of its biggest stars earning the spotlight. Mountaineer standout Gavin Kelly has been ranked by Baseball America as the No. 1 college major league prospect for the 2027 MLB Draft, giving WVU the top player in next year’s draft class according to one of baseball’s most respected scouting publications.

Kelly put together one of the best seasons in college baseball in 2026, hitting .384 with 21 home runs, 60 RBI, a .484 on-base percentage, a .720 slugging percentage, and an outstanding 1.204 OPS. He also posted a .983 fielding percentage while splitting time between second base and catcher, showcasing the versatility that has made him one of the most intriguing prospects in the country. His combination of elite bat-to-ball skills, power, defensive flexibility, and baseball IQ has made him a favorite among MLB scouts heading into the 2027 season.

After earning Big 12 All-Freshman Team honors in 2025, Kelly took his game to another level as a sophomore, helping lead West Virginia to one of the best seasons in program history. Along the way, he earned recognition as a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist, a Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist, and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Morgantown Regional after leading the Mountaineers to another NCAA Tournament run.

Being named Baseball America’s top college prospect for the 2027 MLB Draft is another massive accomplishment for Kelly and the West Virginia baseball program. It’s a testament to the work he’s put in since arriving in Morgantown and to the player he has developed into under head coach Steve Sabins. With another season still ahead of him, Kelly will enter 2027 as arguably the most closely watched player in college baseball and will have every opportunity to become one of the highest-drafted players in West Virginia history.

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