How long will Mike Trout remain a Kernel?

CEDAR RAPIDS - Catch him while you can.

It's not like anyone associated with the Cedar Rapids Kernels wants Mike Trout to get promoted to the next level in the Los Angeles Angels farm system. It's an absolute treat to watch the 18-year-old center fielder play baseball.

His speed, his hitting, his defensive ability ... the kid's a gem. Which makes you wonder just how long he'll be here.

“I'm not worried about that stuff,” Trout said after the Kernels won their sixth straight last night, 5-2, over Burlington before 1,036 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium. “When it comes to it, it comes to it. Obviously, I'm trying to get to the big leagues as quickly as possible and just go from there.”

Trout came into last night's game leading the Midwest League in hits and stolen bases and was second in batting average and third in slugging percentage. A 2-for-4 night boosted that BA to .366 and extended his hitting streak to 16.

He has hits in 27 of the Kernels' last 28 games. They say you move up in the minor leagues when you've conquered a level, and it's hard to argue that Trout hasn't conquered the low-Class A level.

"What is the plus of him moving up?” Kernels Manager Bill Mosiello said. “He's an 18 year old. Why rush his progression? If he was 21 or 22, then maybe you would see, ‘Hey, maybe he could play in the big leagues in a year.' But you're 18, there's nothing to be gained. I don't really see the need to get him out of here.”

Mosiello was asked if there was something in Trout's game right now that needs addressed, and he pointed out his 20 strikeouts in 131 at-bats.

“But that's nitpicking,” Mosiello admitted.

Kernels hitting coach Brent Del Chiaro was asked if he felt Trout would remain in Cedar Rapids all season.

“Yeah, I think so,” Del Chiaro said. “But is he ready to go right now? Absolutely.

“To me, there's no reason to rush him. Let him experience his first full season. Let him experience playing 140 games.”

The Kernels (19-14) pulled into second place, within a game of first place in the Midwest League's Western Division with three go-ahead runs in the seventh. Starting pitcher Patrick Corbin improved to a league-leading 6-0 by allowing only three hits over eight innings.

It's not all good news for Cedar Rapids. Outfielder

Randal Grichuk, like Trout a No. 1 draft pick last year, injured his thumb sliding into third base in the team's game Friday night at Milwaukee's Miller Park and will be out four to six weeks.