MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The search for the next Mountaineer mound maestro may be over—or just getting started.
In what could become a quietly brilliant move or a bold gamble, West Virginia has landed 6-foot-5, 230-pound flamethrower Owen Puk, a transfer from Florida International University who just might be the wild card WVU needs to retool its pitching arsenal for the 2026 season.
With two key rotation staples—Griffin Kirn and Jack Kartsonas—off to chase their professional dreams, West Virginia head coach Steve Sabins finds himself needing fresh arms and fierce competitors. And he just might have found both in Puk, a right-hander whose story reads like a baseball redemption arc in the making.
⚠️ High Risk, Sky-High Reward?
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Puk’s early collegiate résumé wasn’t pretty. His first two years at FIU were downright disastrous—ballooning ERAs of 7.43 and 9.69, and a WHIP north of 2.000 made for ugly numbers. Hitters were feasting, and confidence was fleeting.
But then came the breakout.
In 2024, Puk reinvented himself. With a stronger frame, refined mechanics, and a fire to prove the critics wrong, he emerged as one of FIU’s top arms. Over 13 appearances (12 of them starts), Puk compiled a 4-1 record and slashed his ERA to a more respectable 4.91. More importantly, he struck out 51 batters in just 40.1 innings, showcasing nasty movement and vastly improved command.
His WHIP dropped to 1.388—still a work in progress, but a massive leap forward that signals something is clicking.
Baseball Royalty? A Family Name to Watch
If the name Puk sounds familiar, it should. Owen is the younger brother of A.J. Puk, the 6th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft and a current relief ace with the Arizona Diamondbacks. A.J. made stops with the Oakland A’s and Miami Marlins, flashing dominant stuff along the way.
Now Owen steps into the spotlight, hoping to channel the same elite-level DNA and take his own career to the next level—this time in a Mountaineer uniform.
What’s the Hype About His “Stuff”?
Puk’s profile is tantalizing. He brings a long, imposing frame and a downhill delivery that can be difficult to square up when he’s on. His fastball touches the low-90s, and when paired with his emerging slider and developing changeup, it creates an intriguing three-pitch mix that could flourish in Morgantown under the right tutelage.
He’s not polished yet—but the raw tools are undeniable. If WVU pitching coach Mark Ginther can unlock that next level, Owen Puk could go from transfer afterthought to top-of-the-rotation terror in the Big 12.
A Calculated Gamble or a Genius Steal?
Some may call the Puk addition a reach. But others see it as the exact kind of bet championship-caliber programs make: high-ceiling talent, plenty of eligibility, and something to prove.
Whether Puk evolves into WVU’s next breakout star or just adds valuable depth to a competitive staff, one thing’s for sure—this transfer has teeth, upside, and narrative heat.
And in a college baseball landscape increasingly ruled by portal magic and underdog ascents, Puk’s story is only just beginning.
