TRANSFER IMPACT: WVU Bolsters Lineup with Power-Hitting Catcher John Lemm from the Portal
In a bold offseason move that has already sent ripples across the Big 12, the West Virginia Mountaineers have landed one of the most talked-about names in the transfer portal — catcher John Lemm, a power-hitting phenom from the University of Arizona. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound junior officially committed to WVU earlier this week, giving head coach Randy Mazey and his staff a significant upgrade behind the plate and in the heart of the batting order.
Lemm, known for his thunderous bat and game-calling acumen, enters Morgantown after a breakout sophomore campaign in which he slashed .319/.410/.615 with 17 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 12 runners caught stealing — a stat that turned plenty of heads among scouts and coaches alike. His ability to both command a pitching staff and slug with authority made him one of the most coveted players in the portal this summer.
“John brings a veteran presence and a dangerous bat to our lineup,” Coach Mazey said in a statement. “He’s a difference-maker — not just at the plate, but as a leader in the clubhouse and on the field.”
Sources close to the program indicate that Lemm was drawn to WVU by the program’s recent surge in national relevance, a well-established player development track, and the chance to compete for a conference title. With WVU finishing just shy of a Super Regional berth last season, the addition of Lemm is seen as a decisive step toward making a deeper postseason run in 2026.
Lemm is expected to start immediately and slot into the cleanup spot, adding protection for rising star sophomore Ryan Becker. Scouts have already begun projecting him as a potential Day 1 MLB Draft pick if he maintains or improves on his current production.
With this transfer, West Virginia sends a loud message: The Mountaineers aren’t just here to compete—they’re here to win.
