Grand Chute, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers capped a remarkable 2026 season with four of their own selected as Midwest League All‑Stars. Minor League Baseball announced that outfielder Josiah Ragsdale, outfielder Braylon Payne, second baseman Daniel Dickinson and utility player Eric Bitonti earned the honor for their standout performances.
Josiah Ragsdale shines as designated hitter
Ragsdale appeared in 60 games for the Timber Rattlers before his promotion to the Double‑A Biloxi Shuckers on June 30. He posted a .327 batting average, hit seven home runs, drove in 30 runs and stole 24 bases. His 32‑game on‑base streak helped earn him the All‑Star designated‑hitter slot. After moving to Biloxi, he added 12 homers in 26 games before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on August 3. Ragsdale now ranks as MLB Pipeline’s #11 prospect in the Cardinals system and started left field for the Springfield Cardinals in the Texas League playoffs.
Braylon Payne sets franchise home‑run record
Payne broke the Timber Rattlers’ single‑season home‑run record on August 8, launching his 23rd homer of the year at Beloit. The previous record of 22 had stood since 2010. The first‑round pick from the 2024 Milwaukee draft finished the season with 23 homers, 55 RBIs, a .930 OPS and 22 stolen bases, becoming the first Rattler to achieve a 20‑20 season. He was promoted to Biloxi on August 14 and is listed as the #6 prospect in Milwaukee’s system. Payne will also represent the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League.
Daniel Dickinson’s breakout second half
Dickinson became only the second Rattler ever to steal 60 or more bases in a season, finishing with 60 steals. After a modest first half (.200 average, no homers, 15 steals, .614 OPS), he erupted in the second half, hitting .345 with 11 homers, 42 RBIs, 45 steals and a 1.068 OPS. He closed the year with a .282 average, 66 RBIs, 88 walks and the Midwest League All‑Star second‑base nod. Dickinson earned the league’s Player of the Month award for August and was also sent to Biloxi after the Timber Rattlers’ season ended.
Eric Bitonti earns utility All‑Star spot
Bitonti shattered Payne’s short‑lived home‑run record by belting his 24th homer on August 27 and finished the campaign with 25 long balls, 88 RBIs and a .916 OPS in 111 games. Playing both third and first base, he secured the Midwest League utility All‑Star selection. Bitonti also posted a 20‑20 season, adding 24 stolen bases. Like his teammates, he was promoted to Biloxi and will join the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League. He is ranked #26 in Milwaukee’s prospect list.
Historic season for the Timber Rattlers
All four All‑Stars previously earned Midwest League Player of the Week honors, and Dickinson was named Player of the Month for August. Their achievements mark the most Timber Rattlers named to a postseason All‑Star team in franchise history, surpassing the previous high set in 2010. The club looks ahead to its 2027 home opener on Tuesday, April 6, against the Beloit Sky Carp at 6:40 p.m.
The success of these young athletes underscores the strength of Milwaukee’s minor‑league pipeline and offers local fans plenty to celebrate as the Timber Rattlers continue to develop future major‑league talent.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
