Bethel Park graduate making most of his time on the diamond
Kessler makes Prospect League’s all-star roster
David Kessler of Bethel Park has entered into a new phase regarding his baseball career.
He is clinging to the dream of becoming a Major League player and is making the most of his final summer as an amateur before he returns to Indiana University of Pennsylvania for the fall academic session.
Kessler starts at shortstop for the Cape Catfish in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, which is located approximately 115 miles from downtown St. Louis and along the western banks of the Mississippi River.
Cape Catfish competes with 20 other teams in the Prospect League, which is one of the notable summer leagues behind the more renowned wood-bat clubs associated with the Cape Cod, Northwoods and New England Collegiate Baseball Leagues.
Cape Catfish finished the first half of league play in first place in the South Division with a 19-7 record, and clinched home-field advantage for the playoffs, which begin in August.
Kessler has played a big role in Cape Catfish’s success.
In 26 games, he is batting .359 with four triples and two home runs, seven stolen bases, 24 RBI and 30 runs scored. With 14 walks, his on-base percentage swells to .448 and his slugging percentage is .573.
Kessler also was selected to play in the Prospect League’s all-star game, which will be played July 7 at Loeb Stadium in Lafayette, Indiana. A home-run derby will be held July 6.
“I’m not in that,” Kessler quickly said with a laugh. “The all-star team though, that was a goal of mine and I achieved that. Now the goals are to maintain the level of play where I am and continue to get better and help the team win a championship.”
Kessler is good at that.
In 2021 and 2022, he led Bethel Park to back-to-back PIAA state championships. The Blackhawks were 21-4 and shutout Selinsgrove, 5-0, in the 2022 final. They defeated Red Land High School, 4-2, to capture the 2021 crown. In 2024, Kessler helped IUP reach the semifinals of the NCAA Division II World Series.
“Winning back-to-back state titles in high school and finishing third in the country while starting at shortstop at IUP have been highlights in my career so far,” Kessler said.
The lowlight occurred in 2025. During the spring season at IUP, Kessler suffered a lower-body hernia tear and surgery was required to repair the injury. Kessler was idle for four months.
“It was hard. A struggle for sure,” Kessler said. “It was a blessing though because the injury allowed me to step back, watch and study the game. There was no stress on myself.”
As a result, Kessler experienced his “best season” in baseball. He helped IUP to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) semifinals for the second consecutive season. During the regular season, Kessler led the team with nine home runs and 35 RBI, while posting a 1.000 OPS. He started all 49 games he appeared in and hit .329 in the cleanup spot and scored 38 runs. Kessler also earned All-PSAC first team honors to go along with academic all-district accolades for his 3.87 GPA.
Of those achievements as well as his distinction as an all-star comes as no surprise to Patrick Zehnder. His former high school head coach said that Kessler “lifts the level” of those around him whether on the diamond, the classroom or life circumstances. Kessler was one of Zehnder’s first proteges when he took the helm in 2019.
“David helped establish the standard of performance and how to work and carry oneself in our program. To have a guy like him to build this program around my first few years was such a blessing. The impacts he had on the program go beyond the two state championships and WPIAL finals appearances. In fact, the impact is still felt today in the program.”
Zehnder predicts continued success for Kessler and notes his attributes and qualities.
“David will always be one of the most talented and skilled players I have coached, but what I will always remember most about him were his leadership, character, clutch ability and work ethic. That really puts him in elite air in terms of baseball players I have encountered. He was a great teammate, and always seemed to carry himself with professionalism and confidence no matter how things were going for him.
“Few deserve success like he does,” Zehnder continued. “It is so great to see him continuing to accomplish great things. Also not a surprise with the aforementioned characteristics and the fact that he has a great family and support system around him. Continued success will come his way because of the time and care he puts into everything that he does.”
To get to this point in his career, Kessler acknowledges the role his parents (Traci and Duke) as well as his sister, Brooke, played in his development. He also recognized his many coaches, including Chris Eisel who is the assistant Director of Health and Performance at Battleground Baseball Group’s training facility in Mars, for his success.
“They believe in me,” he said.
Mostly though Kessler has faith in himself. He is adjusting to what life would be like should he ever become a professional. He has gone from playing a paltry 25 contests at the scholastic level to as many as 65 in college. So far this year, Kessler is on pace to play more than 100 games.
“I don’t think that I have ever played this much. It shocked me. It’s a long season but if you want to continue, this gives you a little taste of what it will be like.”
In addition to developing an appetite for healthy foods such as sweet potatoes and broccoli with his steak as well as chicken sausage and avocado toast with his breakfast eggs, Kessler has adjusted to life on the road.
“I’ve been watching what I eat, putting nothing bad into my system, but honestly the hardest part has been being away from home for the first time,” he said. “The fans have made it easy but at the start, it was mentally challenging to be in a different and new environment as well as settling into a new schedule.”
In the Prospect League, Kessler has Mondays off while playing games Tuesday through Sunday. Then there are the bus rides. According to Kessler, they vary from one to six hours.
“It’s a whole process,” Kessler said
Each step, from high school through college and beyond, “prepares” you for your next experience, whether that be in baseball or life, Kessler theorized.
“It’s nothing totally shocking but the workload increases at every level. So does the competition. I’m playing against a lot of good competition, new people I have never played against before. But you find a way to get it done. It takes a lot of discipline.”
It will require an additional dose of discipline for Kessler to navigate the next chapter of his career.
While he earned his undergraduate degree in May, he will return to IUP in the fall to pursue an MBA as well as a masters degree in Human Resources and employment relations. He will also continue his baseball career and the fall promises to be busy as the Crimson Hawks will host a pro day at the end of September. Scouts will descend on Owen J. Dougherty Field to measure speed such as Kessler’s 6.8 seconds in the 60-yard dash, assess hitting techniques and judge fielding skills. A good showing would set him up for the 2027 MLB amateur draft to be held in Chicago during All-Star Week.
“It’s a pivotal season and I’m gearing up for that,” Kessler. “I want to do well enough to catch somebody’s attention.”
The objectives are the same for the upcoming all-star exhibition.
“I’m excited to play in the all-star game. I’m hoping to get a hit and play error-free ball,” Kessler said. “Given the best players in the league will be competing in the game, I wouldn’t be shocked if there will be scouts there. So I want to be able to compete and make the most of my opportunities.”
The dream of playing in the major leagues, adds Kessler, is very much still alive.
“It will be there until it’s not. Time will tell,” he said. “I’ve talked to people who had the dream and they say you’ll know when it’s no longer one. It hits them. It hasn’t hit me. I’m still pushing towards that goal.”
That spirit, Kessler hopes, sticks with any youth that is getting into the game.
“Honestly I would tell them to follow their dream. Put in the work every day whether you want to or not want to. It’s as simple as it gets. You’ve got to chase your goals and make them happen.”