Waterloo, IA – Two former Waterloo Bucks have been recognized in the latest issue of Baseball America.  Both were honored in the magazine’s 2015 College Preview edition.

A.J. Puk, who is currently a sophomore at the University of Florida, was named to the publication’s first team All-America Team as a utility man.  A Cedar Rapids, Iowa native, Puk played with Waterloo in 2014, seeing time as both a position player and a pitcher.  On the mound, Puk appeared in two games, starting both and earning a 2.08 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 8.2 innings pitched.  At the plate, Puk played in 11 games, hitting .227 with two doubles and three RBI.

In addition to first team honors, Puk was ranked as the Southeastern Conference’s number two prospect for the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft.  Last season as a freshman at Florida, Puk had over 20 appearances on the mound, including seven starts.  Puk went 5-2 with a 3.19 ERA and totaled 46 strikeouts in 42.1 innings.  As a designated hitter and first baseman, Puk hit .222 with six RBI and three doubles for the Gators.

Florida teammate Dane Dunning was ranked as the SEC’s number nine prospect for the 2016 MLB Draft.  The right-handed pitcher played for the Bucks in 2014, appearing in seven games with six starts.  Dunning finished the summer season with 3-3 record, a 3.14 ERA, and 39 strikeouts in 43 innings pitched.

Last season as a freshman for the Gators, the Fleming Island, Florida native appeared in 17 games, finishing with a 4.50 ERA and a 1-1 record.  Dunning struck out 31 batters in 24 innings and held opponents to a .202 batting average.

The February 2015 edition of Baseball America (Issue No. 1505/150201) will be on sale through February 27. 

The Bucks, the winningest team in all of summer-collegiate baseball over the past two years, will open the 2015 season on the road versus the Alexandria Blue Anchors on May 26, but return to Waterloo for their home opener versus the Mankato MoonDogs on May 28.  Fans are encouraged to stay in touch with the Bucks in the off-season by utilizing their website at www.waterloobucks.com.

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The Waterloo Bucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22^nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (BOS) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website.  For more information, visit www.waterloobucks.com.