
Van Klein is a defense-first catcher with timely pop for Air Force
In the 2026 season, Air Force catcher Van Klein has shown a profile that can quietly help a winning team: he posted a .317 average in early conference play, hit his first career home run on March 29, 2026, and has already contributed extra-base and RBI value while also handling the staff and throwing out runners. Beyond the box score, his calling card looks like toughness, versatility, and steady defensive reliability, with a history of perfect fielding in 2024 and a willingness to do the dirty work that coaches love.





