Only rain can slow down Kernels’ Vavra

CEDAR RAPIDS - Don't overthink out there. Just see it and hit it.

That's a good approach at the plate for any baseball player. It's one Trey Vavra has employed to great effect the first two weeks of the Midwest League season.

'I'm just trying not to do too much right now, just simplifying hitting,” the Cedar Rapids Kernels first baseman said Friday night. 'I've been working a lot with (hitting coach) Tommy Watkins in the cage, and he has really helped me a lot at staying focused at the plate. Also, we're winning. It's a lot easier to hit when you're doing that. Trying to first and third people, get some pitches to hit.”

The Kernels had their game against Kane County at Veterans Memorial Stadium postponed by persistent rain. They'll try and get in a double-header Saturday afternoon beginning at 2.

That at least temporarily cooled off Vavra, a 23-year-old from Florida Southern College who is all over the leaderboard in several major league offensive categories. He came into Friday fourth in batting average at .362, tied for second in RBI (12) and OPS (1.047) and tied for first in slugging percentage (.660).

And he didn't even play on opening night.

'He's a baseball guy, has been around the game,” said Watkins. 'He doesn't try to do too much. He doesn't try to yank the ball all the time. We're all young here, and occasionally we do that. But for the most part, he tries to stay to the bigger part of the field. It has working for him so far.”

Vavra hit one home run in 50 games last season for Rookie-level Elizabethton but has tripled that in the very early going this season.

'Just another year under my belt,” he said. 'I worked out a lot in the offseason, worked on driving the ball like always. We had a big wall in E-town all the way around the field, and I hit quite a few balls off that wall. I don't know. I've been able to sneak a few over so far this season.”

Vavra is the son of Twins Coach Joe Vavra and brother of 2014 Kernels infielder Tanner Vavra. A 33rd-round pick of Minnesota in last year's draft, he played all over the field defensively at Florida Southern.

Thus far with Cedar Rapids, he has been primarily a first baseman and designated hitter.

This much is for certain. If he continues to hit with this much authority, the Kernels will find a place for him to play somewhere.

'My brother told me it's a great coaching staff, fan base and housing situation here,” he said. 'He hooked me up with the same housing family he had last year, and they're awesome. Couldn't be happier with that. It makes things a lot easier.”

The Kernels are 11-4 and on a four-game win streak. They will send right-handers Michael Cederoth (0-1, 4.50 ERA) and Felix Jorge (1-0, 0.75) to the mound Saturday.

Twins major-league pitcher Ricky Nolasco is scheduled to start Sunday afternoon's 2:05 game on an injury rehabilitation appearance.

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