5 new guys join Kernels, including top draft picks

You can tell there's only one year left on the latest Player Development Contract between the Cedar Rapids Kernels and Los Angeles Angels.

As we reported Monday night, the Kernels did indeed receive five players Tuesday as Midwest League playoff reinforcements, including 2009 first-round Angels draft pick outfielder Mike Trout and first-round supplemental pick Garrett Richards, a pitcher.

Richards, from the University of Oklahoma, went 3-1 with a 1.53 ERA in eight starts at Rookie-level Orem.  Trout, a high-school draft pick from New Jersey, was the 25th-overall pick and hit .360 in 39 games for the Arizona Rookie League Angels. 

Also joining the Kernels are infielders Jean Almanzar and Rolando Gomez and pitcher Michael Rocco, all from the AZL Angels.

Right-handed relief pitcher Francis Cabrera was sent to Double-A Arkansas and outfielder Jeff Jones to the AZL Angels. Pitcher Kyle Hurst (elbow) and infielders Jon Townsend (hamstring) and Adam Younger (elbow) were all placed on the disabled list.

It's not an uncommon deal for playoff-bound teams to be given a boost from their parent clubs. Last year, for instance, the Kernels got a kid by the name of Alexi Amarista for the playoffs. He was used mostly as a pinch runner. Five new players the final week of the season, however, is unusual.

The AZL season ended Sunday.