MLB Scouts See Castleton Pitcher Do Something Incredibly Special

For a pitcher, throwing a no-hitter is very difficult. So many factors have to go your way. These pitching gems are rare in Major League baseball, a little more frequent in the college ranks and even more in high school. That said, no-hitters don't happen often and are very tough to accomplish. When you throw 3 no-hitters in a row, at any level, well, no that's something to talk about.

On Tuesday, Maple Hill High School senior pitcher, Gavin Van Kempen did just that. Van Kempen threw his 3rd consecutive game without allowing a hit. Unfortunately for the Watervliet Cannoneers, the Castleton native wasn't bothered by the dozen or so Major League scouts on hand, according to WTEN's sportscaster Jared Phillips.

Van Kempen was spectacular in Maple Hill's 10-0 victory, striking out 15 of the 16 batters he faced. The game was only 5 innings as Section II has a "mercy rule" and the game is called after 5 innings if one team is leading by 10. The additional hitter reached on a dropped 3rd strike or Van Kempen would have been perfect. Check out the box score below!

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Gavin Van Kempen has committed to play Division I baseball for West Virginia University. There is little doubt that the right-handed pitcher will be selected in the 2022 Major League Baseball draft in July. The team that I coach works out at the same facility as Van Kempen. I got to see him work out a few times last winter. He is a good one.

Van Kempen's poise and maturity on the mound are no surprise, really. He plays for one of the best high school coaches that I've come across in all of my years, Rico Frese. Having a baseball mind like Rico's as your coach in high school is an amazing advantage for a MLB prospect. Best of luck to Gavin and Maple Hill down the stretch! We'll all be rooting for you.