2026 Top Defenders in Baseball and Softball Rewarded for Best Fielding Percentages
Rochester, Minn. – The Northwoods League has announced the recipients of the 2026 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 2026 Rawlings ‘Finest in the Field’ Award recipients and their fielding percentages are below.
| Position | Player | NWL Team | Fielding Percentage |
| C | Aukai Kea
Avary Makarewicz |
Lakeshore Chinooks
La Crosse Steam |
.991
.979 |
| 1B | Jalen Smith
Trinity Kennemer |
Duluth Huskies
Madison Night Mares |
.989
.975 |
| 2B | Caleb Parker
Marley Teasley |
Waterloo Bucks
Wausau Ignite |
.962
.982 |
| 3B | Thomas Cooper
Ellen Tarjan |
Battle Creek Battle Jacks
Minot Honeybees |
.948
.988 |
| SS | Zach Davis
Tia Durst |
Waterloo Bucks
Madison Night Mares |
.958
.929 |
| OF | Brayden Kohls
Clare Rettler |
Minnesota Mud Puppies
Minot Honeybees |
1.000
.979 |
| OF | Jackson Thomas
Trinity Gregg |
Richmond Flying Mummies
La Crosse Steam |
.991
.988 |
| OF | Matt Maize
Danielle Lucey |
Rochester Honkers
Madison Night Mares |
.991
.983 |
| P | Kade Irons
Kylinn Stangl |
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
Mankato Habaneros |
1.000
.984 |
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’ 33rd 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 435 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 (BAL) 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 33-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.