Cedar Rapids Kernels

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Kernels - Cedar Rapids Kernels

Twins stocked with talented young pitchers

Sun - 31 Mar Written by S.D. Buhr

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Last in a series of preseason looks at the Cedar Rapids Kernels)

It’s no secret that the Minnesota Twins have issues these days with regard to their pitching, but there is hope for the future and some of that future could be on display in Cedar Rapids this summer.

One of the challenges in projecting starting pitching vs. bullpen pitching is that, at the Class A level, organizations tend to ask many of their pitchers to spend time in both roles. Nobody really knows with certainty which pitchers have a Major League future as a starter and which will eventually find a role in the bullpen.

In addition, the Twins will want to limit the number of innings many of their pitching prospects put on their arms during each minor league season. One way to accomplish that is to have even those pitchers clearly earmarked for rotation roles spend a chunk of their minor league seasons in the bullpen.

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Kernels - Cedar Rapids Kernels

'Meet the Kernels' night is Wednesday

Sun - 31 Mar Written by Metro Sports Report

The Cedar Rapids Kernels will host their annual "Meet the Kernels" on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

There is no admission charge. Food and beverage will be available for purchase.

The Kernels' Bimm Ridder Diamond Shop will be open, as will the Kernels Kids Zone fun area.

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Kernels - Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels 'ready to roll' on Opening Day

Thu - 28 Mar Written by Morgan Hawk

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second of two articles by Kernels broadcaster Morgan Hawks from spring training in Florida.)

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- It’s decision time regarding the 2013 Cedar Rapids Kernels roster.

Twins minor league managers and coaches, along with Twins minor league director Brad Steil, will make the tough decisions on who to send to which affiliate, including which players are on Tuesday’s flight to Cedar Rapids.

“The teams are starting to take shape,” said Kernels Manager Jake Mauer. “I think we have about four to five spots we’ve got to make decisions on. However, for the most part we’re pretty much ready.”

Looking at Wednesday’s lineup against the Boston Red Sox Class-A affiliate, it appears the Kernels could have a mix of youngsters and a few players with Midwest League experience.

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Last Updated on Thursday, 28 March 2013 19:28

Kernels - Cedar Rapids Kernels

Mauer says Kernels roster is nearly set

Thu - 28 Mar Written by S.D. Buhr

With a week remaining before the Cedar Rapids Kernels take the field for the first time in 2013, a few roster spots are yet to be finalized during the final days of the team's spring training in Fort Myers, Fla.

“We're getting close,” Kernels Manager Jake Mauer said Wednesday. “There are probably three or four decisions left to make. A couple of pitchers and a couple of position players.

“Our position players are in good shape. It looks like we should have good team speed,” Mauer said.

Mauer indicated that Byron Buxton, the Twins' first-round draft pick in last June's amateur draft (and second pick overall), will be the club's center fielder. He will be joined in the outfield by two other highly rated Twins prospects, Adam Walker and Romy Jimenez.

Max Kepler, another top prospect, is likely to remain in Fort Myers for a while. “He has some arm issues to work through” before he will join the Kernels, Mauer explained. “There's still some competition for the fourth outfield spot, but competition always is a good thing,” Mauer said.

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Last Updated on Thursday, 28 March 2013 17:16

Kernels - Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels outfield could be loaded in 2013

Wed - 27 Mar Written by S.D. Buhr

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the fourth in a series of preseason articles about the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Next: Pitchers)

We’ve worked our way around the horn in the first three parts of this series, covering many of the catchers, corner infielders and middle infielders who possibly could put on a Kernels uniform in Cedar Rapids this summer.

In Part 4 of our series, we are checking out a number of outfielders who could take the field for Cedar Rapids at some point during 2013.

Obviously, we can’t know exactly who will come north to Iowa out of spring training to start the season, but regardless of which of these prospects starts the season in Cedar Rapids, the Kernels' outfield could be loaded.

A number of the organization’s top prospects played at Elizabethton in 2012, and many of them should start the season in Cedar Rapids.

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 21:58