Kernels announce 2016 Field Staff

Cedar Rapids, IA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels, in conjunction with the Minnesota Twins, announce their field staff for the 2016 season.

Jake Mauer returns as the Kernels manager for 2016. He begins his ninth season as a manager in the Twins organization and his fourth season as the Kernels manager. He was the 23^rd round pick of the Twins in the 2001 First Year Player Draft and played five seasons in the Twins system, including 84 games in the Midwest League for Quad Cities. He is the brother of Twins catcher, Joe Mauer, and attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. He resides in Shoreview, MN with his wife, Rachel, and three children.

J.P. Martinez begins his second season as a coach in the Twins organization and his first season as the Kernels pitching coach. He previously served as the pitching coach for the GCL Twins in 2015. Before joining the Twins organization, Martinez was the head coach at Pope John Paul II High School in Slidell, LA in 2013 and 2014, and the pitching coach for the St. Cloud Rox of the Northwoods League in 2014. Martinez was selected by the Twins in the ninth round of the 2004 First Year Player Draft out of the University of New Orleans. He pitched five seasons in the Twins and Orioles organizations, posting a career 17-14 record and 3.36 ERA with 40 saves. Martinez currently resides in Metairie, LA.

Brian Dinkelman joins the Kernels staff as the hitting coach in 2016. He previously served as the hitting coach for the GCL Twins in 2015. Dinkelman was selected by the Twins in the eighth round of the 2006 First Year Player Draft out of McKendree University in Lebanon, IL. He played eight seasons in the Twins organization from 2006-2013, including 23 Major League games in 2011, where he hit .301 (22-73) with a double and four RBI. Dinkelman played in the Midwest League for Beloit in 2007, batting .283 with seven HR and 21 RBI in 67 games. He currently resides in Centralia, IL.

Steve Taylor is the Kernels trainer for 2016. He was previously the trainer for the Elizabethton Twins in 2015.

2016 Kernels season ticket packages are on sale now at the stadium by calling the Kernels at (319) 363-3887. Individual game tickets go on sale Monday, March 14th at 10 am. The Kernels open the 2016 Midwest League season on Thursday, April 7^th at 6:35 PM against the Quad Cities River Bandits.