The Tampa Bay Rays have announced their 2026 Minor League Awards, with three current Charleston RiverDogs players earning recognition for outstanding seasons on and off the field.
RiverDogs players Cooper Flemming, Aidan Haugh and Andreimi Antunez were among those honored by the Rays following the 2026 season.
Flemming was named the 2026 Charleston RiverDogs MVP, Antunez was selected as the 2026 FCL Rays MVP, and Haugh received the 2026 Erik Walker Community Champion Award.
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.
The 2025 second-round selection also earned the distinction of Charleston’s Top Dog of the Year, as voted on by RiverDogs fans.
Flemming finished the regular season:
- Second in the Carolina League in batting average among qualified hitters at .298
- First in RBI with 79
- Second in hits with 133
- First in doubles with 29
- Second in extra-base hits with 43
He led the RiverDogs in hits, home runs (11), RBI, doubles, extra-base hits, total bases (201) and runs scored.
The standout season further elevated Flemming's status as one of the Rays organization’s top young prospects. He was ranked No. 83 overall by MLB Pipeline this past summer after being selected by Tampa Bay in the second round of the 2025 MLB Draft out of Aliso Niguel High School in California.
Right-handed pitcher Aidan Haugh was selected as the recipient of the 2026 Erik Walker Community Champion Award, an honor recognizing a Rays minor leaguer who exemplifies teamwork, sportsmanship and community involvement.
Named in memory of former Rays minor league pitcher Erik Walker, who died tragically in 2006 following his first season of professional baseball, the award is presented annually to a player who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to his teammates and community. Haugh was selected from a field of nominees representing each Rays affiliate.
Throughout the season, Haugh consistently volunteered at community events during the club’s homestands. Much of his time away from the ballpark, however, was spent at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, where he developed meaningful relationships with several patients.
Haugh regularly visited with one young patient in particular, spending time with the child almost every homestand. His commitment culminated in a special moment at the end of the season, when Haugh welcomed the young fan and the fan’s family to Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park to meet his teammates before a game and celebrate the fan’s release from the hospital.
The moment exemplified Haugh’s impact beyond the baseball field and the community connection that the Erik Walker Community Champion Award represents.
Haugh was also honored by the RiverDogs as the club’s REV Federal Credit Union Community Player of the Year for his commitment and dedication to the Charleston community.
Infielder Andreimi Antunez was recognized as the 2026 FCL Rays MVP following a dominant performance in the Florida Complex League.
Antunez appeared in 53 games for the FCL Rays, hitting seven home runs and posting an .829 OPS. His performance earned him a promotion to Charleston on July 28, where he continued his development against more advanced competition.
Antunez currently ranks as the No. 19 prospect in the Rays organization, according to MLB Pipeline.
Former RiverDog Caden Bodine was also named the Co-Minor League Player of the Year by the Rays after a transcendent year in Charleston and other Rays affiliates.
Bodine appeared in 33 games with the RiverDogs and posted a .379/.433/.614 slash line with five home runs and 27 RBI. The Coastal Carolina product went on to make stops at every Rays full-season affiliate during the year, most recently earning a promotion to Triple-A Durham. Bodine is currently ranked as the No. 51 prospect in baseball.
The recognition of Flemming, Antunez, Haugh and Bodine highlights another strong season of development within the RiverDogs organization, with each player making an impact in different way.