Sometimes, a baseball player’s path to collegiate success doesn’t follow a straight line. For Jace Rinehart, however, returning home to West Virginia for the 2025 season seems to be the perfect move.
Nicknamed “Rhino” by his teammates, Rinehart transferred to WVU after four years at USC Upstate. The Mannington, West Virginia, native previously played at North Marion High School, just 45 minutes from Morgantown. During ESPN+ coverage of Saturday’s game against Kennesaw State, commentators shared an amusing story about his recruitment when Rinehart didn’t initially receive a scholarship offer from WVU, his grandmother reacted by burning all of her WVU gear.
Although he didn’t start his college career as a Mountaineer, Rinehart has certainly earned his place on the team. Over three seasons at USC Upstate, he steadily improved, earning All-Big South Second Team honors twice. As a freshman, he hit .333 with one double, two triples, and eight RBIs over 66 at-bats, posting a .762 OPS. His sophomore season saw a major jump in playing time, starting 33 games and appearing in 42. He batted .310 with eight doubles, seven home runs, and 32 RBIs, raising his OPS to an impressive .931.
Rinehart’s junior year was his best yet, demonstrating his growth as a hitter. He set a conference record with 22 doubles while batting .366 with 17 home runs and 59 RBIs. His OPS soared to 1.085, making him one of the most dangerous hitters in the conference.
Now back in his home state, Rinehart has carried his power-hitting ability to WVU. Following the departure of JJ Wetherholt one of the best players in program history and the seventh overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft West Virginia needed offensive firepower. Rinehart has delivered, currently ranking second on the team with a 1.115 OPS, trailing only shortstop Brodie Kresser. As the Mountaineers prepare for Big 12 conference play, “Rhino” could be a key piece in their success.
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