After transferring to West Virginia, Thacker solely focused on winning
West Virginia recently added Bryson Thacker, a left-handed pitcher from Tennessee.
Thacker spent two seasons with the Vols, dealing with Tommy John surgery in the process. Now a Mountaineer, Thacker is ready to do whatever it takes to win.
“I loved both of my years at Tennessee. I learned a lot from teammates and coaches. What led me into the portal was just wanting to find a spot that I could come in and make an immediate impact and help lead a team to Omaha and a national championship,” Thacker said.
Thacker’s action on the mound was limited by his surgery. He was set to be in line to compete for a key role before his surgery cut that short as well as limited the number of innings this season as he’s still not even a year removed from surgery.
Thacker first heard from WVU as he was going to another visit. Head coach Steve Sabins was able to lure him to Morgantown and then made the most of the opportunity once Thacker was on campus.
“It was crazy the first couple of weeks. I was actually boarding a plane going on another visit when Coach Sabins called. We immediately set up a visit for right when I got back. Once I got on campus and saw what the school and the baseball program had to offer, I was sold. The coaches were awesome, and obviously, the team last year was just a missing piece away from Omaha. I felt as if I could fill in that role and help lead a great team with a great fanbase to Omaha,” Thacker said.
Thacker threw just 4.1 innings for Tennessee this past season. He tallied seven strikeouts, allowing no earned runs in the process. He also walked four and allowed a hit in his five total outings as well.
Because of his surgery, Thacker is hungry to compete and get a solidified role on the mound. He was around for Tennessee’s championship run in 2024, and why he didn’t play that season, he’s seen what it takes to win at the highest of levels.
“What I bring to the table is a player that is going to give his all day in day out. A natural leader that has experience being a part of a team that has been to Omaha and won a national championship. I’m coming off Tommy John surgery, so I’m without a doubt going to be the hungriest person on the field. My strengths are going to be able to go deep into games in the starting role. Being able to use my pitch-ability to get anyone out,” Thacker said.
Thacker hopes to be able to continue to grow on the mound by using WVU’s new performance and biomechanics facility that opened at the start of the 2025 season.
“The baseball side of the visit was amazing. The new biomechanics pitching lab was something like no other. The overall visit was awesome. Seeing the campus and the overall city of Morgantown felt like home,” Thacker said.
Now, Thacker will be coming to Morgantown ready to make an impact, but also ready to do whatever it takes to win.
“As a player, I bring someone that’s going to lead on and off the field and do whatever I have to do to win. I bring a high-energy personality that loves to compete and have fun while doing it,” Thacker said.
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