Kernels Announce 2022 Opening Day Roster
Cedar Rapids, IA – The Cedar Rapids Kernels have officially announced their 2022 Opening Day Roster, highlighted by 18 returners and four members of the Minnesota Twins’ Top 30 prospect list per MLB.com. Of the 30 members of the Opening Day Roster, 17 are pitchers and 13 are position players.
Cedar Rapids, IA – The Cedar Rapids Kernels have officially announced their 2022 Opening Day Roster, highlighted by 18 returners and four members of the Minnesota Twins’ Top 30 prospect list per MLB.com. Of the 30 members of the Opening Day Roster, 17 are pitchers and 13 are position players.
The Kernels pitching staff will feature Melvi Acosta, Denny Bentley, Andrew Cabezas, Osiris German, Sawyer Gipson-Long, Bradley Hanner, Brent Headrick, Cody Laweryson, Casey Legumina, Bobby Milacki, Derek Molina, Sean Mooney, Matt Mullenbach, Tyler Palm, Cade Povich, Miguel Rodriguez and Aaron Rozek. The Cedar Rapids position player group is comprised of Jair Camargo, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Willie Joe Garry Jr., Seth Gray, Will Holland, Wander Javier, Charles Mack, Jeferson Morales, Anthony Prato, Aaron Sabato, Yunior Severino, Alerick Soularie and Kennie Taylor.
Acosta, Bentley, Cabezas, Camargo, German, Gipson-Long, Gray, Javier, Laweryson, Legumina, Molina, Mooney, Morales, Palm, Prato, Rozek, Sabato and Severino make up the 18 returning Kernels players.
Camargo, Mack and Morales will serve as the Kernels’ catching corps to open 2022, bringing plenty of pop to the lineup. Earning Organizational All-Star status from MiLB.com, Camargo belted 13 home runs – 10 of which came at Veterans Memorial Stadium – and threw out 23% of opposing baserunners. Mack converted to catching full-time last season with Fort Myers and homered seven times in 73 games while posting a .738 OPS. Morales joined the Kernels in early August and slashed .301/.350/.516 with five home runs and a 33% caught stealing rate across 25 games in High-A last season.
Twins No. 16 prospect Aaron Sabato and No. 29 prospect Christian Encarnacion-Strand headline the infield alongside Seth Gray, Will Holland, Wander Javier, Anthony Prato and Yunior Severino. Sabato was Minnesota’s first round pick in 2020 and was named an Organizational All-Star by MiLB.com last season, slashing .253/.402/.613 for a 1.015 OPS to go with eight homers and 15 RBI over just 22 games with Cedar Rapids. Encarnacion-Strand was drafted in the fourth round last summer and hit .391 with four home runs in his professional debut with Fort Myers, collecting a hit in 21 of 22 games played. The everyday third baseman for CR last season, Gray had 27 extra-base hits and drove in 51 across 113 games.
Holland spent 2021 in Fort Myers, belting 15 doubles and ten home runs while stealing 19 bases and posting a .737 OPS across 76 games. Javier returns for his third season with the Kernels, smashing 37 extra-base hits and driving in 53 as the everyday shortstop last season.
Prato hit .289 with a .774 OPS last season in a 14-game stint with Cedar Rapids, splitting time across three levels. Severino rounds out the middle-infielder group fresh off slashing .321/.414/.493 for a .907 OPS in 35 games with the Kernels last season.
2020 second-rounder and No. 25 Twins prospect Alerick Soularie is joined in the outfield by Willie Joe Garry Jr. and Kennie Taylor. Soularie spent most of his professional debut season with Fort Myers, playing in 28 games and stealing nine bases while handling both second and left field. Garry Jr. played 95 games for the Mighty Mussels in 2021, stealing 24 bases and collecting 24 extra-base hits while knocking in 31. Taylor signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins in January after spending last season in the Mariners system, reaching AAA while slashing .287/.350/.407 for a .757 OPS across 31 games with High-A Everett.
Sawyer Gipson-Long, Brent Headrick, Cody Laweryson, Casey Legumina, Sean Mooney, No. 27 prospect Cade Povich and Aaron Rozek all spent much of 2021 in the starting rotation either with the Kernels or in Fort Myers. Gipson-Long started six games for the Kernels, going 3-3 with a 39:9 K:BB ratio across 29.2 innings of work. Headrick struck out 86 across 61.1 frames, starting 14 games for Fort Myers with a 3.82 ERA. Laweryson took the ball 14 times with Cedar Rapids and struck out 73 batters over 58.2 innings, working to the tune of a 4.91 ERA. Legumina made nine starts across two levels in 2021, tossing 49.1 innings to the tune of a 3.28 ERA while striking out 63. Boasting a 2.79 ERA across 12 starts at two levels, Mooney held batters to a .149 average with 71 strikeouts over 42.0 innings. Povich was Minnesota’s thirdround pick last summer and held a 19:2 K:BB ratio across his first 10.0 professional innings, pitching to the tune of a 0.90 ERA. Rozek covered 56.1 innings over 16 appearances and seven starts spanning four levels last season, punching out 74 and walking just seven with a 2.40 ERA.
Righthanders Melvi Acosta, Andrew Cabezas, Osiris German, Bradley Hanner, Bobby Milacki, Derek Molina, Matt Mullenbach, Tyler Palm, Miguel Rodriguez and lefthander Denny Bentley round out the Kernels’ 2022 Opening Day pitching staff. Mullenbach is an Iowa native and a Waukee graduate.
Opening Day 2022 is set for April 8 at 6:35 p.m. as the Kernels open their season against the Beloit Sky Carp. Single game tickets are now on sale, available at milb.com/cedar-rapids/tickets or by calling the ticket office at (319) 896-7560.
To keep up to date on information regarding the Kernels 2022 season please visit www.kernels.com or follow our Facebook and Twitter feeds and subscribe to our Kernels email newsletter.
TinCaps Sweep Cedar Rapids in Friday Night Doubleheader 6-2 and 9-3
Fort Wayne, IN - The TinCaps erased an early deficit in game one and never trailed in game two, sweeping the Kernels in a doubleheader 6-2 and 9-3 Friday night. After grabbing a late lead to win game two of the series on Thursday, the Kernels jumped in front early
The Kernels Bullpen Dominates, Cedar Rapids Tops Fort Wayne 3-1
Fort Wayne, IN - The Cedar Rapids bullpen did not allow a run in 5.1 innings of work, and the Kernels’ offense did just enough to grab game two of the series in Fort Wayne, 3-1, Thursday night. After the first two games of the series were impacted by rain,
Kernels Top TinCaps 5-1 in Rain-Shortened Series-Opener
Fort Wayne, IN - Kaelen Cupepper crushed the first pitch of the game over the left field wall and Cedar Rapids never looked back, taking the series opener in Fort Wayne 5-1 in a five-inning rain-shortened contest Tuesday night. In the first matchup between the Kernels and TinCaps since 2021,
Peoria Pitching Shuts Down the Cedar Rapids Offense, Chiefs Top Kernels 7-1
Cedar Rapids, IA - Peoria scored four runs in the top of the first inning and the Chiefs' pitching staff took them the rest of the way in a series-clinching 7-1 victory over Cedar Rapids Sunday afternoon. After scoring first Saturday evening, Peoria went right to work in the top
Chiefs Hold on Amidst Cedar Rapids’ Late Surge, Top Kernels 6-5
Cedar Rapids, IA - Peoria scored four times across the first two innings to take an early lead it would never lose in a 6-5 win over Cedar Rapids Saturday night. After their offense was quieted on Friday, the Chiefs jumped ahead in the top of the first Saturday. Jon
Kernels’ Offense Stays Hot, Cedar Rapids Romps Peoria 13-2
Cedar Rapids, IA - Kaelen Culpepper launched two of the four home runs for Cedar Rapids to lead the Kernels to a 13-2 victory in game four of the series against Peoria Friday night. After scoring a season-high 15 runs Thursday evening, the Kernels kept it going in the bottom
Cedar Rapids’ Offense Erupts, Kernels Roll Peoria 15-7
Cedar Rapids, IA - Gabriel Gonzalez tallied three extra-base hits and six RBI while Khadim Diaw crushed a pair of home runs to power the Kernels offense to a 15-7 victory over Peoria Thursday night. In the bottom of the first inning, the Kernels got on the board first. With
Peoria Outlasts Cedar Rapids 7-6 in 11 Innings
Cedar Rapids, IA - Home runs by Gabriel Gonzalez and Danny De Andrade were not enough to complete the comeback as Peoria takes game two of the series over Cedar Rapids 7-6 in 11 innings Wednesday afternoon. After scoring 13 runs on Tuesday night, the Chiefs got right to work
Jose Salas' Two Home Runs Not Enough, Chiefs Top Kernels 13-10
Cedar Rapids, IA - Jose Salas crushed a pair of home runs and drove in five Tuesday night, but it was not enough as Peoria grabbed game one of the series in Cedar Rapids 13-10. In the bottom of the second inning, the Kernels got the scoring started. Khadim Diaw
Kernels Grab Finale in Beloit 6-5, Split Series with the Sky Carp
Beloit, WI - Cedar Rapids scored four times in the top of the first inning and held on Sunday afternoon to take the series finale in Beloit 6-5 and clinch a split of the six-game series with the Sky Carp. After dropping three straight games, the Kernels' offense came out
Sky Carp Collect 15 Hits, Top Kernels 8-5
Beloit, WI - The Beloit offense recorded 15 hits and scored eight times Saturday afternoon, besting the Kernels 8-5 in game five of the series. After the Sky Carp scored first for the first time in the series on Friday, the Kernels again grabbed the lead first on Saturday. Danny
Sky Carp Score Five in the First, Best Kernels 8-4
Beloit, WI - Beloit scored five times in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back, knocking off the Kernels in game four of the series 8-4 Friday night. After scoring 14 runs in the win on Thursday, it didn’t take long for the Sky Carp offense to
Ryan Ignoffo Hits Two Grand Slams, Sky Carp Fly Past Kernels 14-5
Beloit, WI - Beloit’s Ryan Ignoffo crushed a pair of Grand Slams as the Sky Carp slugged their way past the Kernels 14-5 Thursday night. After Cedar Rapids opened the scoring in the top of the first inning in each of the first two games of the series, things stayed
Kernels Plate Late Run, Top Sky Carp 6-5
Beloit, WI - In a tied game with two outs in the top of the eighth inning, Danny De Andrade produced a go-ahead RBI single to lift the Kernels on top 6-5, the tally that would prove to be the game-winning score in the one-run victory over the Sky Carp
Chaney Dominates, Kernels Soar Past Sky Carp 8-0
Beloit, WI - Chase Chaney did not allow a run across six innings of work, and the Cedar Rapids bullpen took the Kernels the rest of the way in an 8-0 win over Beloit Tuesday night. After scoring nine times in the win over South Bend on Sunday, the Kernels
The Cedar Rapids Offense Erupts, Lee and Bengard Dominate, Kernels Romp Cubs 9-1
Cedar Rapids, IA - The Cedar Rapids offense went off for nine runs on eleven hits to complement standout performances from Jeremy Lee and Spencer Bengard on the mound in a 9-1 victory over South Bend Sunday afternoon. In game six of the series, the Cubs got the scoring started.
Kernels Notch Eight Runs on Thirteen Hits, Cruise Past South Bend 8-3
Cedar Rapids, IA - Cedar Rapids scored a run in each of the first two innings Saturday night and never looked back, besting South Bend 8-3 in game five of the series. After South Bend opened the scoring Friday night, Cedar Rapids looked to get on the board first on
Cubs Lead Wire-to-Wire, Defeat Kernels 8-4
Cedar Rapids, IA - South Bend scored two runs in both of the first two innings to take a 4-0 lead it would never lose in an 8-4 win over Cedar Rapids Friday night. For the third straight night, South Bend got things going in the top of the first
Kernels Rally Back from Four Down, Beat Cubs 8-7
Cedar Rapids, IA - Nate Baez homered and Kevin Maitan had two extra base hits to lead the offense while Jacob Wosinski picked up a six-out save as the Kernels completed a four-run comeback to knock off South Bend 8-7 Thursday night. After scoring in the top of the first
Kyle DeBarge’s Go-Ahead Home Run Lifts Kernels Past Cubs 4-3
Cedar Rapids, IA - In a tied game in the bottom of the eighth inning, Kyle DeBarge blasted a go-ahead solo home run to put the Kernels on top for good in a 4-3 win over South Bend Wednesday night. After the Kernels scored the final six runs of the
Kernels Erupt for Double-Digit Runs, Level Cubs 10-4
Cedar Rapids, IA - The Cedar Rapids offense scored ten runs on 13 hits, including home runs from Danny De Andrade and Gabriel Gonzalez, to take the series opener over South Bend 10-4 Tuesday night. After scoring eight times in the win on Sunday, the Kernels jumped ahead in the
Culpepper Drives in Five, Kernels Take Series Finale Over Wisconsin 8-1
Cedar Rapids, IA - Kaelen Culpepper drove in five runs on two hits and a three-run homer while Cedar Rapids' pitching allowed just four hits and one run in an 8-1 victory over Wisconsin Sunday Afternoon. Jose Olivares got the start for the second time in the series for Cedar
Wisconsin Scores Three Late Runs, Bests Kernels Third Straight Day, 4-2
Cedar Rapids, IA - The Timber Rattlers erased a late deficit and scored the game's final three runs to knock off the Kernels for the third straight game Saturday afternoon, 4-2. After the two teams combined for just one run in the game on Friday, Wisconsin got on the board
Wisconsin Outlasts Cedar Rapids in Pitchers’ Duel, Timber Rattlers Top Kernels 1-0
Cedar Rapids, IA - After scoring 13 runs in the win on Thursday, Wisconsin needed just one run Friday night to best Cedar Rapids in game four of the series 1-0. Alejandro Hidalgo got the start for Cedar Rapids and posted his best outing of the season. The right-hander did
Wisconsin Scores Nine Late Runs, Bests Cedar Rapids 13-5
Cedar Rapids, IA - Wisconsin used a grand slam and a seven-run ninth inning to take game three of the series against Cedar Rapids, 13-5, Thursday night. After grabbing a 3-0 lead in the win on Wednesday, the Kernels jumped out to a three-run lead again on Thursday. To begin