The Willmar Stingers are a collegiate summer league baseball team of the Northwoods League. They are located in Willmar, Minnesota, and play their home games at Bill Taunton Stadium. The Stingers and other collegiate summer leagues and teams exist to give top college players a professional-like experience without affecting NCAA eligibility.
History The Stingers played their inaugural season in 2010, entering the league as an expansion team alongside the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. On June 3, 2010, the franchise's first ever hit and run were recorded by former Willmar Cardinal and current Minnesota Twins minor league coach Jordan Smith.
The Stingers were honored with the Northwoods League Organization of the Year Award in 2010. Stingers co-owner Marc Jerzak credited "Stingers fans, host families, sponsors and city officials" for "[making] the 2010 Inaugural season a memorable one."
Although the Stingers have yet to win a championship, fans in Willmar have witnessed excellent players and performances over the years. In 2024, outfielder Andrew Sojka was named Northwoods League Player of the Year after batting .398 with 22 home runs, 22 doubles, five triples, and 73 RBI. Sojka also set the all-time Northwoods League home run record with 37 homers over the course of three seasons in the league. Additionally, several Stingers have gone on to play in Major League Baseball, in including All-Star pitcher Louis Varland and American League Pitcher of the Month Noah Cameron.
Seasons Season Manager Record Win % League Division GB Post-season record Post-season win % Post-season result Notes 2010 Matt Hollod 39–31 .557 T–5th 2nd 2.0 0–0 .000 Did not qualify Inaugural Season 2011 Matt Hollod 39–31 .557 5th 3rd 5.5 0–0 .000 Did not qualify 2012 Matt Hollod 41–28 .594 4th 2nd 1.0 1–2 .333 Lost North Division Championship (Mankato) 2013 Matt Hollod 41–29 .586 T–5th 3rd 10.0 0–0 .000 Did not qualify 2014 Drew Saberhagen 46–26 .639 2nd 1st – 1–2 .333 Lost North Division Championship (Mankato) 2015 Drew Saberhagen 47–24 .662 3rd 2nd 1.5 0–1 .000 Lost First Round (Duluth) 2016 Matt Passauer 41–31 .569 6th 4th 7.5 0–1 .000 Lost First Round (St. Cloud) 2017 Eric Vazquez 41–31 .569 5th 3rd 3.0 0–1 .000 Lost First Round (St. Cloud) 2018 Bo Henning 48–24 .667 2nd 1st – 1–1 .500 Won First Round (Mankato) Lost North Division Championship (Duluth) 2019 Bo Henning 40–32 .556 7th 2nd 4.0 2–1 .667 Won Great Plains West Division Championship (St. Cloud) Lost Great Plains Division Championship (Eau Claire) 2020 Bo Henning 22–20 .524 9th 3rd 6.5 0–0 .000 Did not qualify 2021 Al Leyva 32–36 .471 11th 3rd 18.0 0–0 .000 Did not qualify 2022 Freddy Smith 48–20 .706 3rd 2nd 2.0 2–1 .667 Won Great Plains West Division Championship (St. Cloud) Lost Great Plains Division Championship (Duluth) 2023 Freddy Smith 51–16 .761 1st 1st – 0–2 .000 Lost Great Plains West Division Championship (St. Cloud) 2024 Freddy Smith 44–26 .629 4th 1st – 1–2 .333 Lost Great Plains West Division Championship (St. Cloud) 2026 Nate Johnson 38–33 .535 T–11th 4th 10.0 0–0 .000 Did not qualify 2026 Freddy Smith 37–33 .529 T-10th 2nd 5.5 1–2 .333 Lost Great Plains West Division Championship (St. Cloud) Totals 695–471 .596 9–16 .360
Roster
Notable alumni The following is a list of formers Stingers to have appeared in Major League Baseball
Tanner Banks Jacob Barnes Brett Bateman Anthony Bemboom Steven Brault Noah Cameron Hunter Dozier John Klein Brooks Lee Kyle Manzardo Nick Mears Joey Ortiz Colin Poche Phoenix Sanders Ty Tice Gus Varland Louis Varland Eric Yang
References
External links Willmar Stingers - official site Northwoods League - official site