Virginia baseball continues to build momentum under new head coach Chris Pollard, and one of the biggest additions to the Cavaliers’ roster may be Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year Joey Giordano.
The former Richmond standout joined The Cavalier Connection this week to discuss his transfer to Virginia, his breakout 11-win season, and his goals as he prepares to make the jump from the Atlantic 10 to ACC baseball.
For Giordano, entering the transfer portal after an outstanding season was both exciting and overwhelming.
“It was definitely hectic and very chaotic,” Giordano said. “The first day I was in the portal, I was probably on the phone for eight or nine hours straight. It was nuts.”
With schools from around the country reaching out, Giordano found himself navigating a recruiting process unlike anything he had experienced before. But when Virginia came calling, things quickly felt different.
“When I saw Coach Pollard’s name pop up, that was pretty cool,” Giordano said. “The whole coaching staff was great. I love them all. They treated me really, really well.”
Ultimately, the combination of Virginia’s tradition, facilities, coaching staff, and passionate fan base made Charlottesville an easy choice.
“You visit the campus, you fall in love with it right away,” Giordano said. “The stadium is incredible. The facilities are beautiful. The fan base seems electric and sounds like they always have your back.”
From Tommy John Surgery to Conference Pitcher of the Year
Giordano’s rise has not come without adversity.
After undergoing Tommy John surgery during high school, he arrived at Richmond still working his way back. As a freshman, he logged only limited innings before gradually increasing his workload.
That patience paid off.
By the end of the 2026 season, Giordano had transformed himself into one of the top pitchers in the Atlantic 10, finishing with an undefeated 11-0 record and earning conference Pitcher of the Year honors.
Looking back, the journey gives him perspective.
“The rehab process is not fun at all,” Giordano said. “It’s a very long process, but you’ve got to continue to look forward and see the future.”
He credits perseverance and trusting the process for helping him emerge stronger on the other side.
“You’ve got to stick to your roots and stick to what you know,” he said. “Know that you’re going to bounce back and be better from it.”
A Different Kind of Pitcher
Virginia fans expecting a power arm that lights up the radar gun may be surprised by Giordano’s approach.
The left-hander describes himself as a “pitchability guy” who relies on command, movement, and competitiveness rather than overpowering velocity.
“I’m not going to blow you away with 98,” he said. “I’ll be around 88 to 91. My main pitch is my splitter.”
Along with his splitter, Giordano utilizes a slider, curveball, and two-seam fastball. He is also working on developing a cutter as he prepares for ACC competition.
While his arsenal is important, he believes his greatest strength is between the ears.
“My mentality, for sure,” Giordano said. “If I get hit around, I’ll stay level-headed. I think that’s very important.”
That mentality helped him become one of the most reliable starters in college baseball last season and earned the trust of his teammates every weekend.
Eyes on Omaha
Despite his individual accomplishments, Giordano’s focus is squarely on team success.
When asked about his goals at Virginia, his answer came quickly.
“Get to Omaha.”
He paused before continuing.
“That’s not a personal goal. It’s a team goal. Get to Omaha and go win a College World Championship.”
For a Virginia program looking to return to college baseball’s biggest stage, that’s exactly the mindset fans want to hear.
More Than Just a Pitcher
Off the field, Giordano brings a personality that should fit well inside the Virginia clubhouse.
He describes himself as a jokester who enjoys keeping things light around teammates.
“I like to joke around a lot. I’m a big jokester.”
He’s also an avid gamer and admits he’s highly competitive when it comes to MLB The Show. After the interview concluded, Giordano revealed he’s consistently reached the game’s prestigious World Series ranking, proving his competitive nature extends well beyond the baseball diamond.
When he’s not pitching or gaming, he enjoys fishing and even joked that if baseball hadn’t worked out, he might have pursued competitive bass fishing.
The Legacy He Wants to Leave
As he begins his Virginia career, Giordano hopes fans remember him for more than wins and statistics.
“I just want them to see a great competitor,” he said. “No matter how I pitch, I just want them to see that I always competed and was a good guy to have in the clubhouse.”
That’s a message Virginia fans can appreciate.
An Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year. An undefeated starter. A proven competitor. And perhaps most importantly, a player focused on helping Virginia chase Omaha.
Joey Giordano is officially a Wahoo, and he’s ready to get to work.