Kernels release 2013 Opening Day Roster
Cedar Rapids, IA - The 2013 Cedar Rapids Kernels will arrive in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, April 2nd! The 25-player roster features six of the Twins Top 30 Prospects, according to Baseball America, including the Twins 2012 first round selection, OF Byron Buxton.
In addition to Buxton as the Twins #2 Top Prospect, according to Baseball America, the roster includes LHP Mason Melotakis (#13), SS Jorge Polanco (#14), 3B Travis Harrison (#17), RHP Tyler Jones (#23) and INF Niko Goodrum (#26).
The Kernels' pitching staff features four that spent the whole season at Beloit (Tim Atherton, Steven Gruver, David Hurlbut and Tyler Jones), plus three others (Mason Melotakis, Taylor Rogers and Matt Tomshaw) that spent at least part of 2012 with the Snappers. A strong core from the 2012 Appalachian League champions, Elizabethton, are on the roster including 2011 Compensation Round pick Hudson Boyd and 2012 5th round pick, Tyler Duffey.
Four position players return to the MWL for the 2013 season including catchers Tyler Grimes and Jairo Rodriguez, INF Drew Leachman and OF J.D. Williams. Nine members from Elizabethton join the Kernels this year: catcher Jhonatan Arias, infielders D.J. Hicks, and Candido Pimentel; and outfielders Romy Jimenez and Adam Brett Walker.
The first opportunity to meet the 2013 Kernels is on Wednesday, April 3rd as part of 'Meet the Kernels Night'. The event is FREE to the public at Perfect Game Field with the gates opening at 5:00 pm. Food and beverage is available for purchase and fans can visit with the players on the main concourse from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. The team will hold an open practice under the lights from 7:00 to 8:00 pm.
The Kernels open the 2013 MWL season on Thursday, April 4th at 6:35 pm against the Beloit Snappers with the gates opening at 4:30 pm. Tickets are on sale on-line at www.kernels.com, or by calling the Kernels Ticket Office at (319) 896-7560. Ticket Office hours are 10 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, and 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday.