At least to start, these Cedar Rapids Kernels should be solid

CEDAR RAPIDS — The roster will fluctuate as it does every season, which makes predicting wins and losses extremely difficult.

Guys get moved up, down or out. That’s professional baseball.

But you can definitely say the Cedar Rapids Kernels team that begins Midwest League play this weekend generally has experience playing here at the high-Class A level. And should be pretty good.

“This roster, I think a lot of the guys know each other pretty well,” said Kernels infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand. “I’m new, obviously, from last year, but most of the other guys have already played together. So I think as a team we’re going to be just fine.”

Of the 30 players on the opening-day roster, 18 of them have suited up previously as Kernels. That’s a lot.

Cedar Rapids lost a deciding Game 5 to Quad Cities in last season’s High-A Central League championship series. If you weren’t aware, Major League Baseball, which runs the minor leagues now, has chosen to rebrand the High-A Central back to its original name.

The Kernels’ first series is at home against the Beloit Sky Carp. First pitches are 6:35 Friday night and 2:05 Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

“It’s not where you start the season, it’s where you end it,” said Brian Dinkelman, returning for his third season as Kernels manager. “For some guys coming back, it’s an opportunity to play and get a chance to move up to Double-A. They should be familiar with the ballpark and the league, things like that.”

Three players ranked among the top 30 prospects in the Minnesota Twins organization, according to MLB.com, highlight the position-player group. First baseman Aaron Sabato comes in 16th on that list and was Minnesota’s first-round draft pick in 2020 out of the University of North Carolina.

His indoctrination to pro ball wasn’t completely smooth, as he hit a combined .202 with 149 strikeouts in 107 games for the Kernels and low-A Fort Myers. But he had 19 combined homers (including eight in 22 games for Cedar Rapids) and walked 92 times.

“I was happy with spring training,” Sabato said. “The big thing for me was just trying to keep an even keel. Trying to just take one day at a time, work on my body, work on my routine, stay healthy, stay prepared and be confident. Try not to think about where you’re going to go, what’s going to happen. Play baseball, a game I love, every day, and just try to get ready for the season.”

Alerick Soularie was Minnesota’s second-round draft pick in 2020 out of the University of Tennessee and will play second base and outfield for the Kernels. He’s ranked as the Twins’ No. 25 prospect.

Another college guy, Encarnacion-Strand hit .391 in 22 games for Fort Myers after signing as a fourth-round pick last year out of Oklahoma State. Minnesota’s No. 29 prospect, he’s mostly a third baseman.

Other infield returnees with Sabato are third baseman Seth Gray, shortstop Wander Javier, middle infielder Yunior Severino and utility guy Anthony Prato. Newcomer Will Holland can play infield and outfield, while Willie Joe Garry Jr. and Kennie Taylor strictly outfielders.

Returnee Jair Camargo figures to be the primary catcher, with returnee Jeferson Morales and newbie Charles Mack guys who can catch and play elsewhere.

“We’ve got some guys who can swing it for power,” Dinkelman said. “Plus we’ve got a little speed with some of our guys. We’ll steal some bases. With the new rules this year, I’m sure stolen bases will be at a premium now.”

New experimental rules being used this season in the Midwest League include larger bases and essentially a ban of shifted defenses. There must be at least four infielders with their feet touching the infield at all times, with at least two of them on each side of second base.

A pitch clock also will be used to speed up games. Pitchers will have 14 seconds to throw when there is no one on base and 19 seconds when there are runners.

The Kernels will employ a six-man starting rotation of (in order) Aaron Rozek, Brent Headrick and Cody Laweryson in a tandem, Sawyer Gipson-Long, Cade Povich, Sean Mooney and Casey Legumina. Rozek, Laweryson, Gipson-Long and Mooney all pitched some here last season.

Returning Kernels in the bullpen are Denny Bentley, Andrew Cabezas, Osiris German, Melvi Acosta, Tyler Palm and Derek Molina. Newcomers include Urbandale native Matt Mullenbach.

“I think the pitching staff is going to be really good to start with,” Dinkelman said. “We’ve got good starters, the bullpen is pretty strong. So I’m excited about the pitchers we’re beginning with.

“It should be an exciting team, and we’re looking forward to it.”

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