Outfielder, first baseman and left handed pitcher Hayden Gilmore from Kennett High School in Southern Missouri has signed with Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, MO after spending this past summer on a very talented Rawlings Tigers 17U-Rohmiller roster full of Tiger players finding their homes at the next level.

After a solid summer campaign on the mound and at the plate, Gilmore decided on Three Rivers CC, who are giving him the opportunity to stay as a 2-way player in college.

“Three Rivers wants me to pitch and hit, which was huge in my decision to go there. I really want to do both as long as I can so I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue as a 2-way.”

Three Rivers CC Head Coach Tyler Smith made it very clear to Gilmore he wanted him to join the Raiders baseball Program.

“I started texting with Coach Smith and he made it clear by the 2nd or 3rd text he wanted to make me a Raider. A big thing for me was finding a school that truly wanted me there and Coach Smith made that very clear for me.”

Gilmore is a three year Tiger player out of Kennett, Missouri, a 3+ hour drive to the Rawlings Tigers Facilities in St. Louis.

“It definitely was a long drive every weekend for me but I wouldn't be where I am today without the Tigers organization from a mental and physical standpoint as a baseball player.”

Gilmore went on a deep dive with Carter discussing how much he learned from the Tiger coaches as well as his fellow Tiger teammates.

“I got formed into a college-ready baseball player through the Tigers. They taught me so much mentally and they helped me carve out a path with my physical tools to develop as well.”

Before signing with Three Rivers, Gilmore had interest from Mid-Major Division one programs Arkansas-Little Rock and Southeast Missouri State University. After attending camps at those schools, he realized those schools may not be an option for him yet. “I went to the camps and met all the coaches and I really liked both of those schools. It is just not in the cards for me yet which is totally okay, I am glad I went and got those experiences and shook the coaches hands, those doors never close.”

The Kennett High School product is totally correct. An offer did not come from those camps, but both coaching staff now know who Gilmore is. Those connections may create a path for Hayden after his two junior college seasons in a legitimate junior college Region 16 conference.

From the whole Rawlings Tigers community, we are very excited for Hayden Gilmore finding his first home in college baseball. Hayden’s journey to college baseball is a great example of the junior college path countless high school players around the country routinely take to get to their 4 year university.

Follow Hayden on X @2025Hayden along with the Rawlings Tigers @Rawlings_Tigers on X.

#Train #Educate #GrowTheGame

By: Carter Mize

Rawlings Tigers National Director - Player Development

[email protected]