Cedar Rapids Kernels conclude their 2024 season, without a playoff berth

CEDAR RAPIDS - This week was weird. Really weird.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels played out the string of their Midwest League season. For the first time in over a decade.

Nothing to play for except improving individual statistics. Team wise, they went into their six-game series against Wisconsin at Veterans Memorial Stadium eliminated from playoff contention, a season after winning the Midwest League championship.

This is the first time in 11 seasons as an affiliate of the Minnesota Twins that the Kernels aren’t part of the postseason. And that included 2021, the season after COVID when just the top two teams in what was briefly called the High-A Central League overall record wise, qualified for a championship series.

Weird. Really weird.

“Playing to win a couple of ballgames and finish the season on a high note,” said Kernels Manager Brian Dinkelman, whose club lost its finale Sunday afternoon, 10-3. “Make some guys better as they head into the offseason.”

Dinkelman and his staff made guys better, without question. They always do.

Cedar Rapids finished 67-63 overall, 30-36 in the second half. Wisconsin won the Western Division’s first half and Quad Cities the second, so they’ll square off in the division title series that begins Tuesday.

“I know our run of playoff appearances ended,” Dinkelman said. “But it still felt like we had guys that had nice seasons and went to Double-A. That’s good for the development part. We still ended with an above .500 record, so that was good to see. Hope the guys can build off that, have a good offseason and get ready for next year.”

Pitcher Zebby Matthews began the season here and will end it in the big leagues. You just do not see that rapid of ascension (high-Class A to the majors) very often.

Matthews and the starting rotation were supposed to be the strength of the Kernels when the season began in April, and it was. Along with Matthews, Andrew Morris crushed it early and got promoted to Double-A.

He is at Triple-A Saint Paul, where he has fared well.

Christian MacLeod got moved to Double-A Wichita in late July and has pitched well for the Wind Surge. He also got a spot start in Triple-A.

C.J. Culpepper went up in mid-August, where things have not gone as well.

Even with the outstanding starting pitching early, the Kernels still finished in the bottom half of the MWL in team earned run average. They were right in the middle of the league in batting average, second in home runs and bottom half in runs.

“To see guys come through here and do well, the coaching staff did a great job with them,” Dinkelman said. “Moving them along in their careers and hopefully get them up to the big leagues (someday).”

Infielder Luke Keaschall hit .335 in 44 games to earn a promotion to Wichita, where he more than held his own. Keaschall played all season with a torn UCL in his elbow, which necessitated him missing the final few weeks and get Tommy John surgery, in order to be ready for opening day 2025.

Catcher Ricardo Olivar also showed very well at the plate this season for Cedar Rapids, getting moved up to Double-A in very late July. Of the Kernels who stayed all season here, corner infielder Rubel Cespedes had the best season, hitting .282 with 22 doubles, 12 home runs and 72 RBIs.

Twins 2023 top draft pick Walker Jenkins played the final month-plus in Cedar Rapids, showing why he is considered one of the top prospects in the minor leagues. The 19-year-old outfielder hit .290 in 34 games here, with 12 doubles, two triples, three home runs, 17 RBIs and eight stolen bases.

He and relief pitcher Jacob Wosinski were promoted to Wichita after Sunday’s game for the final week of its season.

“In the beginning of the season, Keaschall was our best guy,” Dinkelman said. “In the middle of the season, Olivar was our best guy. Now here toward the end, Walker has been good the last three or four weeks.”

Shortstop Kaelen Culpepper, Minny’s first-rounder this year, played the final three weeks with the Kernels, showing very good defensive skills. He hit .210 in 17 games.

It will be interesting to see if Dinkelman returns to skipper the Kernels. He holds C.R.’s modern record for managerial wins with 364 in six seasons and led the team to the 2023 Midwest League championship.

He was a batting coach for the Kernels for four seasons prior to that. He has earned a shot at a promotion, without question.

“Back home for awhile, hang out with the wife and daughter,” said Dinkelkman, who lives in the St. Louis area, on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River. “Probably play a little golf here while it’s still nice. Then see what’s up for next season.”

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