Hawkeye State squads earn top seeds in 2026 MINK Playoffs

After jockeying for postion all summer long, the playoff picture is finally set.

The MINK League postseason officially gets underway Monday with the defending champ in a do-or-die situation and opening round byes for the northernmost teams.

The Clarinda A's (29-10, 27-9 MINK) earned the No. 1 seed and a day off Monday thanks to solid play over the last two months. A pair of brief, three-game losing streaks aside, the A's have consistently played winning baseball throughout, and ended the regular season on a three-game win streak. Clarinda boasts the top team batting average (.302) and on-base percentage (.443) in the MINK, and they consistently put pressure on opposing pitchers with 99 stolen bases, paced by Sean Bazmore's 20.

Carroll (23-12, 23-12 MINK) was in contention for the top spot down the stretch, but three losses in their final six contests, including a head-to-head matchup with Clarinda, dropped the Merchants to the No. 2 seed. However, the 23-win regular season marked their best campaign since 2023 and earned the Merchants a bye in the first round. Carroll has swung a big bat throughout the summer with a league-high 30 home runs, with five coming from Drew Owen – the top athlete in the latest MINK League Top 30 Player Rankings. Owen has been stellar, batting .408 with a 1.150 OPS and 17 stolen bases in 18 attempts. The lefty also been sharp in limited time on the mound with 0.00 ERA and 10 strikeouts in four appearances.

The Joplin Jailbirds (24-13, 23-13 MINK) have been tremendous in their inaugural season claiming the No. 3 seed in the upcoming postseason. Joplin finished strong winning four straight and earning a home game in the opening round of the playoffs. The Jailbirds are 13-6 at Joe Becker Stadium in 2026 and will give their fans the chance to see at least one more home game Monday night when they host North Missouri.

The Nattys (10-26, 10-26 MINK) scratched out two victories in a three-game series against Nevada late in July to pick up the sixth and final spot in the MINK League Playoffs. Like Joplin, 2026 was North Missouri's first season as a member of the MINK.

The St. Joseph Mustangs (25-15, 22-14 MINK) have been the team to beat in recent seasons, but their road to a third straight title will be a little tougher this summer. St. Joe stumbled a bit midway through the season losing nine of 14, but veteran manager Johnny Coy got his team back on the right track winning 10 of 13 to pick up momentum down the stretch and enter the playoffs as the No. 4 seed. The journey to an 11th MINK League title will begin at home against rival Chillicothe.

The Mudcats (12-24, 12-23 MINK) dug a hole through the first half of June, but battled back to climb up the standings and jump to the No. 5 seed.

The first round and semifinals are single-game elimination rounds set for Monday, July 27 and Tuesday, July 28.

The lowest remaining seed after Monday's games (No. 6 North Missouri at No. 3 Joplin, No. 5 Chillicothe at No. 4 St. Joseph) will face No. 1 Clarinda, while the highest remaining seed will travel to No. 2 Carroll (e.g., No. 1 would host No. 6, while No. 2 would host No. 4).

The MINK League Championship will be a best-of-three series beginning Thursday, July 30. Game one will be played at the home of the lower seed. Games two and three (if necessary) will be hosted by the higher seed.

MINK League Playoff Schedule