West Virginia University baseball has made a strategic addition to its pitching corps by securing the transfer of left‑handed pitcher Bryson Thacker from the University of Tennessee. Thacker, a redshirt freshman, enters Morgantown with three years of eligibility remaining, bringing collegiate and high school success that promise to bolster the Mountaineers’ pitching depth .
Born May 27, 2005, Thacker hails from Rome, Georgia, where he starred at Rome High School. His high school career was exceptional: he accumulated 343 strikeouts over 170 innings and maintained a 1.2 ERA. He was a four-time Georgia High School Association All-State selection, pitched a perfect game, and even went 4‑for‑4 at the plate as a freshman. These accomplishments earned him recognition as a top‑left‑handed pitching prospect nationally—ranked No. 52 overall and No. 6 in Georgia by Perfect Game—alongside two preseason All‑American honors .
Thacker’s two-year tenure at Tennessee began promisingly. After redshirting his first year, he saw action in 2025, appearing in five games and tallying 4⅓ innings pitched. During that stretch, he allowed only one hit and one earned run while striking out seven batters—an impressive per‑inning strikeout rate. His standout day came against Tennessee Tech on April 1, when he struck out three batters in one inning, matching his career high and demonstrating his swing-and-miss potential . Prior to that, on March 25 versus Queens, he sat down all three batters on just six pitches . Though his appearance total was limited, those flashes contributed to his appeal in the portal—and caught the attention of WVU’s coaching staff .
WVU’s announcement notes that Thacker is the second southpaw acquired on that Thursday, following the addition of Joshua Surigao. Robbing depth and enacting competition within the bullpen were clear goals; Thacker is WVU’s 11th overall transfer commitment, signaling a concerted effort to build a more robust rotation . His three years of eligibility allow WVU flexibility in integrating him into the pitching plan—whether as a late-inning reliever, situational lefty, or potential starter down the road .
For WVU’s pitching coach, layering in a pitcher with Thacker’s résumé offers both short‑term reliability and long‑term upside. His high strikeout ability, composure under pressure, and pedigree as a top high‑school talent position him well to make an impact. Even if he doesn’t fill the rotation immediately, he offers valuable bullpen depth and matchup versatility—especially against left‑handed hitters. His mental maturity and resilience, illustrated by thriving in limited outings, further strengthen WVU’s pitching stability.
For Thacker, the move presents a fresh start and opportunity. At Tennessee, he wasn’t getting consistent innings—5 appearances for just over four innings. In Morgantown, he steps into a program eager for pitching improvements, with likely more opportunity to both contribute and develop. WVU’s coaching staff will undoubtedly work to harness his strike‑out arsenal, refine his secondary offerings, and expand his pitch repertoire and stamina.
Looking forward, WVU fans have good reason for optimism. Thacker’s arrival is not just a numbers play—it’s a calculated recruitment of a pitcher with a track record of success at multiple levels. If he continues on an upward trajectory, he could emerge as a significant contributor to West Virginia’s pitching staff for the 2026 season and beyond.
This transfer is a win‑win: WVU strengthens its left‑handed options while Thacker finds a new stage to showcase his talent. It will be exciting to watch how he evolves with t
he Mountaineers.
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