Following the final home game of the regular season Sunday, the Charleston RiverDogs named infielder Cooper Flemming the organization’s “Top Dog” for the 2026 season.
Fans selected Flemming from a field of five finalists that also included Aidan Cremarosa, Blake Morgan, Brady Marget and Taitn Gray.
The annual RiverDogs’ annual Top Dog Award, as voted on by the fans, recognizes the community’s choice for most outstanding player.
At just 20 years old, Flemming put together one of the Carolina League’s most productive offensive seasons, ranking among the league leaders in several major categories:
- Second in batting average among qualified hitters: .298
- First in RBI: 79
- Second in hits: 133
- First in doubles: 29
- Second in extra-base hits: 43
Flemming also led the RiverDogs in hits, home runs (11), RBI, doubles, extra-base hits, total bases (201) and runs scored (84).
His 2026 campaign placed him among some of Charleston’s most productive offensive seasons in recent history. He became the 25th RiverDogs player since 2005 to record at least 40 extra-base hits, the 9th to drive in 75 or more runs and the 17th to collect at least 29 doubles. He is the sixth to achieve all three marks over the stretch, and first since 2017.
Flemming was equally valuable defensively, providing dependable play at shortstop, third base and second base throughout the season. He was also one of only a handful of players age 20 or younger across the minors to appear in at least 116 games this season.
He finishes the regular season as one of the organization’s top young prospects. He was ranked No. 83 overall by MLB Pipeline this past summer after being selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the second round of the 2025 MLB Draft out of Aliso Niguel High School in California.
The RiverDogs also honored right-handed pitcher Aidan Haugh as this year’s REV Federal Credit Union Community Player of the Year for his commitment and dedication to the Charleston community.
Haugh consistently volunteered at community events throughout each homestand, but much of his time away from the diamond was spent at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.
Haugh spent so much time at the hospital that he eventually built close relationships with several patients, including a young patient he spent time with almost every week. His efforts culminated in a special opportunity at the end of the season, when Haugh welcomed the young fan to Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park and introduced the whole family to his teammates before a game to celebrate the fan’s release from the hospital.
The moment highlighted Haugh’s impact both on and off the field and exemplified the community connection recognized by the award.
With the postseason right around the corner, Flemming and Haugh will look to help lead the RiverDogs to another Carolina League championship. After clinching the Carolina League South first-half title, Charleston has secured a spot in the 2026 postseason, presented by Nucor Steel Berkeley.
The best-of-three Division Series begins Tuesday, September 8 in Hickory, the home of the Crawdads. Thanks to their first-half division title, the RiverDogs are guaranteed to host Game 2 on September 10, and, if necessary, Game 3 at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on September 11.
Single-game postseason tickets are on sale now. For more information, visit RiverDogs.com.
Past Winners:
- 2025 Jose Urbina
- 2024 Gary Gill Hill
- 2023 Cooper Kinney
- 2022 Carson Williams
- 2021 Taj Bradley
- 2019 Canaan Smith
- 2018 Pablo Olivares
- 2017 Isiah Gilliam
- 2016 Chris Gittens
- 2015 Jorge Mateo
- 2014 Tyler Wade
- 2013 Greg Bird
- 2012 Pedro Guerra
- 2011 Ramon Flores
- 2010 Rob Lyerly
- 2009 Melky Mesa
- 2008 Jesus Montero
- 2007 Mitch Hilligoss
- 2006 Ben Jones
- 2005 Phillip Hughes
- 2004 Delmon Young
- 2003 BJ Upton
- 2002 Adam Bonner
- 2001 Rocco Baldelli
- 2000 Josh Hamilton
- 1999 Joe Kennedy
- 1998 Aubrey Huff
- 1997 Matt White