Cedar Rapids Kernels announced their full Roster. We will look at the pitchers, position players with the full roster below:
Pitchers: I am not clear to what the Twins are doing here. There are a few guys who seemed to prove everything they can at this level. Steve Gruver returns and I am not sure why. The lefty threw 114 innings last year at the same level. He did respectable last year and could have been promoted. The pitcher with the best name continues to be Dave Hurlbut who returns to the same level. He also threw 111 innings and aparently the Twins want to see him again do the same exact same thing. Tyler Jones returns after throwing 86 innings last year at the same level. He did strike out 102 guys in 86 innings. He is one guy who I am interested in watching. He gives up too many runs but those Strike Outs are sexy! Tim Atherton also returns. The Aussie gets out and keeps people off the base. I am surprised he is repeating this level.
Some pitchers who got promotions are Hudson Boyd. Lets see how he does. In my opinion he needs to show he can strike guys out. Tyler Duffy got the promotion. The '12 draft pick destroyed rookie ball so hopefully he can keep it going. Brett Lee also makes the promotion.
Notable misses are Angel Mata, JO Berrios, JT Chargois, Josh Burris, Luke Bard A couple of these guys might be injured. And possibly they are guarding Berrios's innings after his experience at the WBC. But I don't get why Mata is not at High A. Maybe there is injuries I don't know about it or something else. But Mata is the biggest miss and I hope its rectified in a few months.
Position Players:
This team is going to score some runs! They will be fun to watch. Goodrum, DJ Hicks, Adam Walker, Buxton, Harrison, Pimentel, Polonco all make their full season debut. I can't wait to watch these guys prove it against better competition.
Max Kepler did not make the squad but Twins Daily folks tell us its due to an arm injury. Nate Roberts returns but also appears injured again. This guy just can't stay healthy and it will be the downfall of his career. He needs a full season of health to show the organization what he can do.
I spent a long time looking at the pitchers because I think we have discussed the position players a lot in the offseason. If I was in the region, I would jump in the car and watch. This going to be a fun team to watch! - But that pitching staff does not reflect the best possible team in my opinion. Once Berrios and Burris make the team that might change.
Full Roster Below:
http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ros&cid=492&stn=true&sid=t492
Name | Pos | Bat | Thw | DOB | Status |
Dallas Gallant | P | R | R | 1/25/1989 | 7-day DL |
Tim Shibuya | P | R | R | 9/14/1989 | 7-day DL |
Tyler Duffey | P | R | R | 12/27/1990 | Active |
Steven Gruver | P | L | L | 6/30/1989 | Active |
David Hurlbut | P | L | L | 11/24/1989 | Active |
Tyler Jones | P | R | R | 9/5/1989 | Active |
Mason Melotakis | P | R | L | 6/28/1991 | Active |
Taylor Rogers | P | L | L | 12/17/1990 | Active |
Matt Tomshaw | P | L | L | 12/17/1988 | Active |
Tim Atherton | P | R | R | 11/7/1989 | Active |
Hudson Boyd | P | R | R | 10/18/1992 | Active |
Brett Lee | P | L | L | 9/20/1990 | Active |
Chris Mazza | P | R | R | 10/17/1989 | Active |
Manuel Soliman | P | R | R | 8/11/1989 | Active |
Name | Pos | Bat | Thw | DOB | Status |
Jairo Rodriguez | C | R | R | 8/24/1988 | Active |
Jhonatan Arias | C | R | R | 2/18/1989 | Active |
Name | Pos | Bat | Thw | DOB | Status |
Adam Bryant | SS | R | R | 5/21/1989 | 7-day DL |
Tyler Grimes | SS | R | R | 7/3/1990 | Active |
D.J. Hicks | 1B | L | R | 4/2/1990 | Active |
Candido Pimentel | 2B | S | R | 7/19/1990 | Active |
Niko Goodrum | SS | S | R | 2/28/1992 | Active |
Travis Harrison | 3B | R | R | 10/17/1992 | Active |
Jorge Polanco | 2B | S | R | 7/5/1993 | Active |
Name | Pos | Bat | Thw | DOB | Status |
Nate Roberts | LF | L | R | 2/25/1989 | 7-day DL |
Drew Leachman | OF | R | R | 4/21/1989 | Active |
JaDamion Williams | OF | S | R | 11/20/1990 | Active |
Byron Buxton | CF | R | R | 12/18/1993 | Active |
Romy Jimenez | LF | R | R | 5/14/1991 | Active |
Adam Walker | RF | R | R | 10/18/1991 |
Active |