Richmond, Ind. – The Northwoods League has named Richmond Flying Mummies outfielder Jackson Thomas a recipient of the 2026 Rawlings “Finest in the Field” Award, recognizing him as one of the league’s top defensive players.
Thomas finished the season with a .991 fielding percentage, earning one of three outfield spots among this year’s honorees. The award adds to a memorable summer for Thomas, who also earned 2026 Northwoods League All-Star honors during the Flying Mummies’ inaugural season.
Now a junior at the University of Illinois Chicago, Thomas helped set the standard for defense in Richmond’s first year of Northwoods League baseball.
The complete list of 2026 Rawlings “Finest in the Field” baseball award recipients is below.
| Position | Player | NWL Team | Fielding Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | Aukai Kea | Lakeshore Chinooks | .991 |
| 1B | Jalen Smith | Duluth Huskies | .989 |
| 2B | Caleb Parker | Waterloo Bucks | .962 |
| 3B | Thomas Cooper | Battle Creek Battle Jacks | .948 |
| SS | Zach Davis | Waterloo Bucks | .958 |
| OF | Brayden Kohls | Minnesota Mud Puppies | 1.000 |
| OF | Jackson Thomas | Richmond Flying Mummies | .991 |
| OF | Matt Maize | Rochester Honkers | .991 |
| P | Kade Irons | Wisconsin Rapids Rafters | 1.000 |
Rawlings has recognized the Northwoods League’s top defenders through the “Finest in the Field” Awards since 2002. Winners are determined using the league’s final fielding statistics and receive an engraved Rawlings trophy. Rawlings serves as the Northwoods League’s official equipment provider.
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The Richmond Flying Mummies are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. 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, nearly 2400 NWL alums have been drafted and 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 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, two-time Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (NYM). League games are viewable live on FloSports.tv. For more information, visit www.mummiesbaseball.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Flying Mummies as your favorite team.
