MANKATO, MINN. – The MoonDogs are adding more talent to the 2026 roster with the additions of Cole Clark, Charlie Buckles, and Max Charles!

Clark, a freshman infielder from the University of California, Irvine, comes to Mankato from Huntington Beach, California. At Huntington Beach High School, Clark earned Scholar-Athlete honors and was named Offensive Player of the Year after putting together an impressive prep career.

Buckles joins the MoonDogs as a freshman outfielder from Florida State University. The Bethesda, Maryland native starred at Walt Whitman High School, where he earned Perfect Game Underclass All-American and All-Region honors. He was also ranked as the No. 5 first baseman nationally and the No. 5 overall player in Maryland by Perfect Game.

Charles, a redshirt freshman outfielder from Grand Canyon University, brings an impressive resume to Mankato. The Phoenix, Arizona native gained national attention as both a switch-hitter and switch-pitcher and was featured by MLB.com during his high school career. Before attending IMG Academy for his senior season, Charles starred at Liberty High School, where he hit .413 across two varsity seasons and earned multiple all-state honors. Originally committed to LSU, Charles ultimately signed with Grand Canyon University.

Clark, Buckles, Charles, and the rest of the MoonDogs are set to take the field for the 2026 season on Monday, May 25, when they host the Willmar Stingers at 6:35 p.m. at ISG Field in Mankato. Season tickets, group outings, flex plans, and Opening Day ticket packages are on sale now with ticket information available at www.mankatomoondogs.com or by calling the MoonDogs ticket office at (507) 625-7047.  The MoonDogs office is also open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., 1221 Caledonia St., Mankato, MN. 

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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).