Waterloo, Iowa – On Wednesday, the Northwoods League announced the 2026 Rawlings Hitting Award winners, which included Waterloo Bucks second baseman Caleb Parker. The annual award is given to the player at each position who had the best batting average during the regular season.
Now a redshirt senior who recently transferred from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to Minnesota State University-Mankato, Parker hit .326 for Waterloo on the year. Originally from Minooka, Illinois, the infielder appeared in 65 of the team’s 69 games in 2026. His 66 RBI and 276 at bats set new single-season team records. In addition, Parker led the Bucks in average, runs (44), and doubles (13) while leading the NWL in hits with 90.
Rawlings has been rewarding the top hitters in the Northwoods League since 2007. To honor their achievement, award winners will receive an engraved bat from Rawlings. To be eligible for the award, a player would have needed to have enough plate appearances to qualify for a batting title (a minimum of 2.7 plate appearances per team game).
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2026 Rawlings Hitting Award winners
The complete list of 2026 Rawlings Hitting Award winners is below.
- C: Cooper Kruk, Rochester Honkers, .313
- 1B: Mana Lau Kong, La Crosse Loggers, .354
- 2B: Caleb Parker, Waterloo Bucks, .326
- 3B: David Estrada, Willmar Stingers, .367
- SS: Lukas Buckner, La Crosse Loggers, .329
- OF: Savion Flowers, La Crosse Loggers, .373
- OF: Brayden Kohls, Minnesota Mud Puppies, .357
- OF: Anthony Cepeda, Duluth Huskies, .356
- DH: Hollon Brock, Eau Claire Express, .357
The Bucks recently wrapped up their 2026 campaign and 32nd season of NWL baseball with attendance increasing by 195 per game. Fans are encouraged to shop their online store at https://waterloo-bucks-llc.square.site/ during the offseason.
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. 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.waterloobucks.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Bucks as your favorite team.
