2025 Top Defenders in Baseball and Softball Rewarded for Best Fielding Percentages
Rochester, Minn. – The Northwoods League has announced the recipients of the 2025 Rawlings ‘Finest in the Field’ Award. The annual award recognizes the top fielders at each position. The winners are selected based on final fielding statistics compiled by the Northwoods League. The 2025 Rawlings ‘Finest in the Field’ Award recipients and their fielding percentages are below.
| Position | Player | NWL Team | Fielding Percentage |
| C | Nico Libed
Avary Makarewicz |
Mankato MoonDogs
La Crosse Steam |
1.000
.985 |
| 1B | Ryan Tyranski
Virginia Mambelli |
Royal Oak Leprechauns
Minot Honeybees |
.989
.995 |
| 2B | David Ballenilla
Addison Blomberg |
Green Bay Rockers
Madison Night Mares |
.975
.988 |
| 3B | Dylan Schlotterback
Bella Cimino |
Wausau Woodchucks
Minot Honeybees |
.974
.927 |
| SS | Noah Coy
Taylor Chillingworth |
Kalamazoo Growlers
Minot Honeybees |
.953
.929 |
| OF | Nolan Geislinger
Dani Lucey |
St. Cloud Rox
Madison Night Mares |
1.000
.982 |
| OF | Hiroto Kobayashi
Sailor Hall |
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
Mankato Habaneros |
.990
.966 |
| OF | Collin Jennings
Emma Lee |
Mankato MoonDogs
Mankato Habaneros |
.990
.983 |
| P | Danny Cook
Karlie McKenzie |
Royal Oak Leprechauns
Madison Night Mares |
1.000
.917 |
Rawlings has been rewarding the top defenders in the Northwoods League since 2002. The recipients receive a special Rawlings engraved trophy. Rawlings is the official equipment provider for the Northwoods League.
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 32nd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history with 26 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, over 410 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (NYM).
Leveraging the 32-year success of the Northwoods League, the first for-profit Summer Collegiate Baseball League, Northwoods League Softball (NWLS) is the first for-profit Women’s Summer Collegiate Softball League that began play in the Upper Midwest in the summer of 2024. The purpose of the League will be to develop players for their college, Olympic and future professional play. Teams will be promoted similar to minor league baseball teams, playing games in front of fans in a fun, friendly, family-oriented environment.