Steve Sabins doesn’t hesitate in referring to Logan Suave as a rock star.
A year ago, J.J. Wetherholt crowned Sauve as the next big thing on the WVU baseball team, high praise indeed coming from the future No. 7 overall pick of the 2024 MLB draft.
And he’s the only first-team selection from WVU on the 2025 all-Big 12 preseason team.
Sauve is certainly surrounded by plenty of hype heading into his junior season as the Mountaineers’ catcher.
Not that you would hear about that from Sauve, about as low key a person you’ll find in college athletics.
“Every offseason I try to improve on all of my skills and that will help me become the best player I can become,” he said. “A big focus for me is to make sure I’m best friends with every guy on the pitching staff.”
Make no mistake, Sauve has the respect of his teammates. He’s earned that through two seasons in which he’s combined for 12 home runs and 61 RBIs in 97 games.
It’s just that Sauve would rather let his play do most of the talking.
“He’s definitely his own man and extremely talented,” Sabins said. “I think Logan’s personality is a little bit more understated than J.J. He’s also a catcher, so he has that service leadership mentality. He says less and does more.”
The Mountaineers begin the season on Feb. 14, coming off the heels of last season’s run to a super regional.
WVU was picked to finish fourth in the Big 12 this season, and even without a star name like Wetherholt in the lineup, the Mountaineers still have never had as much anticipation for a season to begin like this one.
“It was definitely something we’ll never forget,” Sauve said. “We’re returning seven starters, which is a big thing. We have a lot of young talent on this team, so we’re super deep. I’m really excited for this year.”
And Sabins, who is in his first season as WVU’s head coach after Randy Mazey announced his retirement, is excited about Sauve’s potential.
“He might be the most consistent worker and person we have on the team,” Sabins said. “He doesn’t want the spotlight. He doesn’t want the attention. I think that’s probably part of the reason he’s so good. Logan is an understated superstar.”
The hope is Sauve can remain healthy for the whole season. He took a fastball to the kneecap a year ago and missed 15 games.
He returned in time for the start of Big 12 play and batted .385 with six RBIs in the Tucson (Ariz.) Regional.
“Going down in the third week of the season and fracturing my kneecap wasn’t what I planned to do,” he said. “J.J. being hurt, I was kind of next to him. I tried to pick up ways that he led and took points from him. I learned a lot being next to J.J. every day.”
To the point of keeping Sauve healthy, Sabins said he would consider trying to move Sauve out from behind the plate as much as possible to save on wear and tear.
Just one problem with that.
“Maybe once a week, we could get him off his feet,” Sabins began. If I did it more than that, Logan would probably fire me.
“It is important we keep him healthy and keep his legs fresh and make sure his bat plays.”
