RiverDogs Make Their Mark with Four Carolina League Honorees

RiverDogs Make Their Mark with Four Carolina League Honorees

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Minor League Baseball announced its Carolina League award winners and All-Star teams today, with four Charleston RiverDogs earning league-wide recognition following outstanding 2026 seasons.

RiverDogs infielder Cooper Flemming was named the Carolina League’s Most Valuable Player and an All-Star at the utility position. Right-handed pitcher Aidan Cremarosa was named Carolina League Pitcher of the Year and earned All-Star honors as one of four starting pitchers selected. Reliever Yereny Teus was named one of the league’s two All-Stars at the relief pitcher position, while first baseman Taitn Gray was selected as the league’s All-Star at first base.

Flemming capped a sensational season at the plate by earning MVP honors. The infielder finished the season leading the league in RBI (79), hits (133) and doubles (29), while ranking second among qualified hitters in batting average (.298), extra-base hits (43) and total bases (201).

Flemming currently ranks as the Tampa Bay Rays’ No. 5 prospect and No. 83 overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. He was also recognized by the Rays as Charleston’s Team MVP, and voted by RiverDogs fans as the winner of the ‘Top Dog’ Award.

Cremarosa earned Carolina League Pitcher of the Year honors after a dominant season on the mound. The right-hander finished with a 2.82 ERA, 90 strikeouts and 16 starts across 76.2 innings. Among pitchers with at least 75 innings, Cremarosa's .184 opponents batting average ranked first throughout Single-A. His 5.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio also ranked tied for fourth across the level and is currently tied for 18th among all minor league pitchers.

Cremarosa also delivered one of the most memorable individual performances of the season on May 8, throwing a complete-game, nine-inning no-hitter against the Augusta GreenJackets. He became the first RiverDogs pitcher in more than two decades to throw a solo no-hitter and the first player in franchise history to complete nine innings in a game since at least 2005.

Gray earned All-Star honors at first base following an impressive first full season with the RiverDogs. The switch-hitter finished the season with a .296/.389/.462 slash line, eight home runs and 52 RBI across 76 games. After returning from a rehab stint on July 29, he batted .311 with 22 RBI to close out the season.

Among Carolina League players with at least 300 plate appearances, Gray finished third in batting average, tied for sixth in slugging percentage and seventh in OPS (.851). He currently ranks as the Rays’ No. 6 prospect and the No. 4 first-base prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline.

Teus was named one of the Carolina League’s two All-Stars at the relief pitcher position after a dominant season out of the RiverDogs bullpen. The left-hander led Charleston and finished tied for second in the league with seven saves.

In 31 appearances and 54 innings, Teus posted a 2.00 ERA, struck out 80 batters and recorded a 0.81 WHIP. Among pitchers who completed at least 50 innings during the season, Teus’ 13.33 strikeouts per nine innings led the Carolina League. His .123 opponents’ batting average also finished the season as the lowest mark across all of Minor League Baseball.

The four league honors cap an impressive season for the RiverDogs, with Flemming, Cremarosa, Teus and Gray each earning recognition among the Carolina League’s top performers. The club led the league with four players represented.

Tonight, the RiverDogs will battle the Fayetteville Woodpeckers in Game Two of the Carolina League Championship Series, looking to keep their season alive and force a decisive Game Three. First pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m. in Fayetteville with coverage beginning at 6:20 on the RiverDogs Broadcast Network.

About the RiverDogs

The Charleston RiverDogs are the Single-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays and three-time Carolina League Champions. The RiverDogs play their home games at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park, a Charleston staple since 1997. 2026 single game tickets are on sale now at RiverDogs.com. Beyond baseball, the RiverDogs host year-round events in the climate-controlled Segra Club.

Active members of the Lowcountry community, the RiverDogs were named the winner of the 2025 'MiLB Together Award,' which recognizes a team for outstanding commitment to charitable service in their community.

Team merchandise is always available at the RiverDogs Team Store. Store hours are Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Contact the RiverDogs front office at 843-577-3647 (DOGS) for more information.