Cedar Rapids Kernels outfielder Max Murphy hopes to parlay great spring training into great 2016 season

CEDAR RAPIDS — He knows the importance of this season.

The minor leagues are about results. Either you provide them, or you go away, replaced quickly by someone else

Max Murphy is aware of that.

'I'd say it's a really big year,' the Cedar Rapids Kernels outfielder said Tuesday night, as he mingled with fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium during the club's annual 'Meet The Kernels' promotion. 'My second full season, so it should be a season I come out and perform, do really well. I know what to expect, what's going to happen.'

The 23-year-old from the Twin Cities put up monster numbers in rookie ball after signing with the Minnesota Twins as a ninth-round draft pick in 2014 out of Bradley University. He earned a promotion to the Kernels that July and played with the team in the Midwest League playoffs.

Quite a bit was expected of him last season, though 2015 turned out to be ... well, let him describe it.

'Yeah, it was a terrible year,' he said flatly. 'Worst year I've ever had. That's not going to happen again.'

Murphy hit just .225 in 93 games for Cedar Rapids, including only four home runs. He had hit 14 homers in 67 games the season before.

No matter what he tried at the plate, it didn't work. Left was right, up was down, red was black.

'I think I was doing a little too much in my swing,' he said. 'Then it's kind of like you are doing so bad, it becomes a mental thing. You try and get your swing back on track, and no matter what you do, it's just not good.'

Kernels Manager Jake Mauer said no one on his club performed better this spring training than Murphy. The ball jumped off his bat.

'Max Murphy had probably the best spring you could possibly have,' Mauer said. 'Really swung the bat well, did a nice job in the outfield.'

'It was really good,' Murphy agreed. 'I kind of made some adjustments before I came in. I came in, and they worked, I felt great. I'm hoping to have a really good season.'

Both player and manager said a willingness to go with pitches was the impetus for the big spring. Murphy didn't try and pull balls over the fence, just concentrated on making solid contact.

'I'd say the adjustment was more in batting practice,' he said. 'Focusing on trying to go the other way, not trying to hit home runs. Trying to take nice, easy swings every day and not getting tired out. That really helped me in games.'

'It was how he approached his at-bats,' Mauer said. 'Max has got power that we really haven't seen up here, yet. He hit several home runs in spring training, a few of them to right-center. When he stays middle of the field, right-center, he's not bad at all. He's pretty good.'

Defensively, Murphy has the ability to play all three outfield positions. That's a good thing.

But his bat has got to improve.

'I think maybe he saw that porch in left field here, 310 (feet), and thought maybe he could pop a few over,' Mauer said. 'Usually when you try to do it, it doesn't work out so good. If he stays middle of the field, like he did in spring training, he's going to be all right.'

The Kernels open the season Thursday night at home against Quad Cities. Right-hander Randy LeBlanc is scheduled to be C.R.'s starting pitcher.

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