A senior's return
Armani Guzman, the utility man who has become a cornerstone of West Virginia University’s baseball program, revealed that he will be suiting up for a senior season in Morgantown. His decision comes after a standout junior year that saw him hit .321, drive in 45 runs and steal 42 bases, numbers that already placed him among the Mountaineers’ all‑time greats.
Guzman’s impact goes beyond raw stats. He became the first WVU player to reach the 40‑run‑batted‑in and 40‑stolen‑base milestone in the same season, and he set the school record for stolen bases in a single year. Those achievements have turned his name into a rallying point for fans eager to see the next chapter unfold.
Draft day drama
The draft also delivered a wave of professional opportunities for the Mountaineers. Paul Schoenfeld was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth round, Ian Korn by the San Francisco Giants in the tenth, Owen Henne by the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth, and Kyle Casteel by the Chicago White Sox in the 11th. Former teammates Chase Meyer and Gavin Van Kempen followed with ninth‑round and twelfth‑round picks by the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers, respectively.
Each of those selections reflects a blend of skill and timing, as scouts praised Schoenfeld’s .327 average and four home runs, Korn’s 3.39 ERA and two saves, Henne’s .401 batting line and five homers, and Casteel’s projection as the 162nd overall prospect. Their pathways illustrate how the WVU program continues to serve as a launchpad for talent aimed at the major leagues.
As the new season approaches, the excitement surrounding Guzman’s return is matched by anticipation for how the freshly drafted players will shape the team’s depth and strategy. Coaches and fans alike are watching closely, knowing that the blend of home‑grown experience and fresh professional perspective could push the Mountaineers to new heights.