Kernels set starting rotation

Returnee Michael Davitt will get the nod as starting pitcher on opening night for the Cedar Rapids Kernels, pitching coach Brandon Emanuel said Tuesday. Davitt had 19 starts last season for the Kernels and 27 overall apperarances, going 6-9 with a 4.68 earned run average.

Touted left-hander Will Smith will follow Davitt in the starting rotation. The 19-year-old went 8-2 with a 3.08 earned run average last season for Rookie-level Orem. He is the parent Los Angeles Angels' #12 prospect, according to Baseball America.

Right-hander Manuarys Correa follows Smith in the rotation. Then it's lefties Jayson Miller and Manuel Flores. Correa, who is 15-2 in his two-year professional career, is the Angels' #19 prospect, according to Baseball America. Miller went 8-2 with a 2.33 ERA last season at Orem, walking seven in 81 innings. Flores led the Arizona Rookie League in wins (7), innings pitched (74) and strikeouts (63). Miller was the Pioneer League Pitcher of the Year last season.

Manager Bill Mosiello said the most-days lineup will include catcher Anel De Los Santos, second baseman Alexi Amarista, third baseman Hector Estrella and outfielders Tyson Auer, Matt Crawford and Angel Castillo. Darwin Perez and Adam Younger are expected to share time at shortstop. Jon Townsend and Carlos Colmenares are available as well at infield and outfield, respectively. C.J. Bressoud and Beau Brooks are the team's other catchers.

Righties Jeremy Thorne and Vladimir Veras are expected to share relief closer duties. Also in the bullpen are lefties Andrew Taylor and Chris Armstrong and righties Mike Kohn, Kevin Nabors and Christian Scholl.