Voting is now open for the South Bend Tribune 2026 Baseball Player of the Year poll.
There are no voting restrictions. The poll closes Sunday, June 28 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Below is a list of 20 nominees from 17 different South Bend Tribune coverage area schools, listed in alphabetical order by school then first name.
Kaeden Warfield, Brandywine
The senior stole 55 bases for a 30-8-2 Bobcats squad that won their first MHSAA Division 3 district championship since 2008. Warfield also compiled 39 hits on a batting average higher than .365, 45 runs, seven doubles, five triples and 19 RBIs.
Zack Rouch, Bremen
The senior Spalding University commit led the IHSAA 2A sectional champion Lions in batting average (.488), hits (39), RBIs (35), triples (three), home runs (four) and OPS (1.374). He also hit six doubles, scored 14 runs and stole four bases.
Joey Hauger, Concord
The senior Indiana Tech commit was the 18-9 Minutemen’s ace with a 2.00 ERA, five wins, 66 strikeouts, 56 innings pitched, an opponent batting average of .211 and a WHIP of 1.11.
Max Shreiner, Elkhart
The senior led the 12-16 Lions with a .431 batting average, 23 RBIs, 33 runs, seven home runs and a 1.511 OPS. He also had nine stolen bases, 28 hits, five doubles and two triples.
Brayden Fischer, Edwardsburg
The sophomore led the 27-8 Eddies with 43 hits, 39 RBIs, 12 doubles and 11 stolen bases. He also had a .430 batting average, 18 runs, a triple, a home run and a 1.091 OPS.
Braxton Cline, Goshen
The senior led the 22-7 IHSAA 4A sectional champion RedHawks with a .479 batting average, 40 runs, 46 hits, 39 RBIs, four home runs, six doubles, three triples, 24 stolen bases and a 1.293 OPS.
Broderic Kaler, Jimtown
The senior stood out for the 13-12 Jimmies with a .442 batting average, 38 runs, 34 hits, 18 RBIs, seven doubles, a triple, five home runs, a 1.314 OPS and 15 stolen bases.
Mekhi Pulluaim, John Glenn
The junior stood out for the 16-9 Falcons with a .370 batting average, 30 runs, 30 hits, 23 RBIs, eight doubles, four home runs, 10 stolen bases and a 1.06 OPS.
Landon Johns, Mishawaka
The senior led the Cavemen with a 1.79 ERA in 39 innings pitched, striking out 46 batters, allowing an opponent batting average of .184, earning three wins and finishing with a 1.21 WHIP.
Isaac Gill, Mishawaka Marian
The junior Taylor University commit led the Knights with a 1.69 ERA in 58 innings pitched, 67 strikeouts and a 1.16 WHIP. He also allowed an opponent batting average of .238 and earned three wins.
Brenden Olsen, Niles
The senior University of Houston commit hit .446 with a 1.363 OPS, 50 hits, 15 doubles, seven home runs, 23 RBIs and 25 stolen bases for the MHSAA Division 2 district champions.
Reed Robinson, New Prairie
The senior Northern Indiana Conference (NIC) MVP and Northern Illinois University commit led the Cougars to an IHSAA 3A sectional championship and NIC championship with a .505 batting average, 48 hits, 35 runs, 28 RBIs, eight doubles, six home runs, four triples, 20 stolen bases and a 1.456 OPS.
Sullivan Kress, New Prairie
The senior Saint Xavier University commit was the Cougars’ ace with a 1.27 ERA in 55.1 innings pitched, 93 strikeouts, seven wins, an opponent batting average of .140 and a 1.03 WHIP. At the plate, he had a .447 batting average, 18 stolen bases, 42 hits, 28 RBIs, 25 runs, 10 doubles, three triples, a home run and a 1.144 OPS.
Finley Miller, NorthWood
The sophomore led the Panthers to a second straight IHSAA 3A regional championship with a 2.38 ERA in 56 innings pitched, six wins, 85 strikeouts and a 1.23 WHIP. At the plate, he had 46 hits, 18 stolen bases, 20 RBIs, five doubles, four triples, 34 runs, a .442 batting average and a 1.084 OPS.
Cayden Stockbridge, Penn
The senior Purdue University commit was the IHSAA 4A regional champion Kingsmen’s ace with 99 strikeouts, eight wins and a 3.72 ERA.
Mason Biernacki, Penn
The sophomore was a two-way standout for the Kingsmen with three home runs, two triples, nine doubles, 23 stolen bases and 25 RBIs at the plate, batting over .380. On the mound, Biernacki picked up three saves and two wins with a 1.14 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP.
Weston Hoke, South Bend Adams
The senior Bethel University commit hit .482, put up a 1.106 OPS, drove in 18 runs, collected 40 hits, stole 36 bases, and hit two doubles and triples each.
James Criniti, South Bend Saint Joseph
The junior led the 16-10 huskies with 34 stolen bases, a .419 batting average, a 1.021 OPS, 36 hits, 25 runs, 23 RBIs and two triples. He also had four doubles and a home run.
Jacob Snyder, South Bend Saint Joseph
The senior Ohio Northern University was the Huskies’ ace with a 2.61 ERA in 52 and 2/3 innings, four wins, 75 strikeouts and a .197 opponent batting average. He also finished with a 1.14 WHIP.
Drew Bingamon, Triton
The senior standout for the 24-5 Trojans hit .490, stole 25 bases, compiled 47 hits, scored 46 runs, drove in 17 runs, hit eight doubles, four triples and two home runs with a 1.276 OPS. In 66 and 2/3 innings pitched, Bingamon had a 0.63 ERA, six wins, 89 strikeouts, a .209 opponent batting average and a 0.95 WHIP.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Vote HERE in South Bend Tribune 2026 Baseball Player of the Year poll
Reporting by Kyle Smedley, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kyle Smedley, South Bend Tribune | USA TODAY Network
