Waterloo, Iowa – Former Waterloo Bucks pitchers Aaron Savary and Owen Puk were drafted in the 2025 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft on Monday.  Both Iowa natives, Savary was selected by the Cleveland Guardians, while Puk was chosen by the Washington Nationals.

Savary was taken in the 13^th round with the 402^nd pick by Cleveland.  A product of the University of Iowa, Savary played for the Bucks in 2023 where he was named both a Northwoods League mid-season All-Star and to the Postseason All-Star Team.  Originally from Dubuque, Iowa, Savary finished the season with a 2-2 record and a 4.35 ERA.  The righty led Waterloo in innings pitched with 49.2 and tied for second in the Great Plains Division with 52 strikeouts.

Puk, a product of Florida International University, was selected by Washington in the 18^th round with the 531^st overall pick.  A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Puk pitched for the Bucks in 2022 where he appeared in four games and finished with a 0-2 record.  Puk ended his season with an 8.16 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 14.1 innings pitched.

The Bucks are currently enjoying the NWL All-Star break before resuming play with a two-game homestand on Friday, July 18 versus the Eau Claire Express.  Tickets are available by calling the Bucks Ticket Line at (319) 232-5633 or online at waterloobucks.com.  Bucks team ownership has invested nearly $500,000 in stadium improvements over the last decade including an LED video board, group outing areas, painted bleachers, public Wi-Fi, sound system, kids zone inflatables, wiffle ball field, and concessions equipment.  Fans are encouraged to stay in touch with the Bucks by utilizing their website at www.waterloobucks.com or utilizing the Northwoods League Mobile App.

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The Waterloo Bucks 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. Now in its’ 32^nd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history with 24 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 400 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 (NYM) 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 (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com) and ESPN+. For more information, visit www.waterloobucks.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Bucks as your favorite team.