Carson Estridge, a right‑handed pitcher who spent four seasons at West Virginia University, has inked an undrafted free‑agent contract with the Houston Astros, becoming the sixth Mountaineer to reach an MLB roster this week.
Estridge’s collegiate résumé reads like a steady climb: he finished his career with a 11‑4 record, a 4.41 earned‑run average and 165 strikeouts across 151 innings in 76 appearances, showcasing durability and the ability to miss bats.
A breakout season in the College World Series
His senior year was a revelation. In 2026 he posted a 4‑0 record with a 3.09 ERA, fanning 34 batters in just 35 innings and delivering two scoreless outings that helped the Mountaineers advance deep into the tournament. The performance earned him All‑Big 12 Honorable Mention honors.
The Astros join a growing list of clubs tapping into the Mountaineer pipeline. Earlier this week, teammates Dawson Montesa and Maxx Yehl also secured professional agreements, underscoring a vibrant talent flow from West Virginia to the majors.
For WVU’s baseball program, the successive signings validate its development pipeline, while the Astros view Estridge as a low‑risk, high‑upside arm with a proven track record of clutch performances. As the new signing reports to spring training, the expectation is that his refined repertoire will translate quickly to the minor leagues, potentially fast‑tracking a future big‑league debut.