MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Two West Virginia University pitchers were chosen during the first day of the 2026 Major League Baseball draft, continuing the Mountaineers’ steady pipeline to the professional ranks.
Right-hander Dawson Montesa was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the Competitive Balance-B round with the 72nd overall pick. Left-hander Maxx Yehl went to the Kansas City Royals in the third round at 91st overall.
What this means for WVU and local fans
The selections raise West Virginia’s all-time total of MLB draftees to 119 players. The program has now placed at least one player in the draft in 13 of the last 14 years, and multiple players were taken in the draft for the 12th time in 13 years — underscoring WVU’s continued relevance as a talent source for major league organizations.
Both pitchers played key roles during WVU’s recent run to the College World Series, giving local fans more reason to cheer as their former arms take the next step.
Player snapshots
- Dawson Montesa — 72nd overall, St. Louis Cardinals. Across 19 appearances this season he was 6-5 with a 5.38 ERA and recorded 92 strikeouts in 77 innings. He delivered strong postseason outings, including 7.1 innings against Wake Forest and 5.1 scoreless frames vs. Troy at the College World Series.
- Maxx Yehl — 91st overall, Kansas City Royals. In three seasons with WVU he went 12-3 with a 2.74 ERA in 59 appearances, striking out 163 batters in 154.1 innings. In 2026 he earned Big 12 Pitcher of the Year honors after a 9-3 season with a 2.13 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 97 innings.
| Player | Pick | Team | Key stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dawson Montesa | 72 | St. Louis Cardinals | 92 K in 77.0 IP |
| Maxx Yehl | 91 | Kansas City Royals | 112 K, 2.13 ERA (2026) |
Context and significance
Yehl’s breakout season — which included conference recognition and national honors — helped raise his draft stock. Montesa’s strikeout rate and two strong postseason starts also caught scouts’ attention. Their selections mark the highest-drafted WVU players since JJ Wetherholt in 2024 and the top pitchers chosen from Morgantown since Alek Manoah in 2019.
Day two of the draft will continue Sunday beginning at 11:30 a.m., when rounds five through 20 are scheduled. WVU followers can track additional prospects as the selections proceed.
For West Virginia fans, the early-round picks are a reminder of the program’s recent growth and the visibility the College World Series run provided to Mountaineer players.
Colton McRae is the West Virginia correspondent for News Block.
