O’FALLON, Mo. — O’Fallon Hoots outfielder/first baseman Nick Bonczkowski has been named the 2026 Mike Schmidt Prospect League Player of the Year, making him the first player in franchise history to earn the league’s top individual honor.
Bonczkowski put together one of the most dominant offensive seasons in the Prospect League, finishing the 2026 campaign with a .350 batting average, 70 hits, 18 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs and 70 RBI in 53 games. He also scored 50 runs and stole 13 bases while posting a .715 slugging percentage and a 1.143 OPS.
“Nick was a staple in our clubhouse and lineup all summer,” said Field Manager Carter Mize. “From our first practice, I knew his swing would play in our league. He was also able to move around the diamond between the outfield and first base, which played a huge role in us putting out our best lineup every night.”
His 17 home runs and 70 RBI were the highlights of a season that consistently put Bonczkowski among the league’s most productive hitters. He recorded 143 total bases and reached base at a .419 clip, while helping lead an O’Fallon lineup that finished the regular season with a .287 team batting average.
Defensively, Bonczkowski was equally reliable. He appeared in 53 games and recorded 157 putouts, eight assists and just two errors, finishing the season with a .988 fielding percentage.
The Player of the Year honor marks another milestone in what has been a record-setting season for Bonczkowski. The St. Louis native set a new Prospect League mark for runs batted in on July 28 when he recorded his 69th RBI of the season.
“More importantly, Bonczkowski is a great kid. He was always in the mix with the guys—whether in the clubhouse, on bus trips, at team meals, or in the dugout. Outside of the home runs, he helped bring our team culture together throughout the season and established our identity,” added Mize.
Bonczkowski’s selection as Prospect League Player of the Year adds another chapter to the growing history of the O’Fallon Hoots and represents the first time a Hoots player has captured the league’s highest individual award.
