Pitcher David Festa has had a breakthrough minor league season, dominating at low-A Fort Myers and with the Cedar Rapids Kernels. He had a rare poor performance Sunday in a loss to Peoria but still made it memorable by picking off three straight guys at first base.
Defenseman Joe Fleming was supposed to return to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and junior hockey for this coming season. Instead a glowing recent showing at Vegas Golden Knights development camp has led to a contract offer he will accept.
Cedar Rapids Prairie grad, former Kirkwood Community College and now former University of Louisville outfielder Levi Usher has signed a contract with the Kansas City Royals, after being picked by them Monday in the 10th round of the MLB Draft.
Here’s a look at local, area and former University of Iowa players and how they are doing in affiliated minor league and major league baseball.
Third baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand had an unreal start to the 2022 Midwest League season. After a bit of a lull, he his producing big offensive numbers again.
Catcher Pat Winkel spent the first six weeks of the minor league baseball season on the injured list with a back problem. Since being activated, he has hits in 16 of his 21 games with the Cedar Rapids Kernels, including three multi-hit games in July.
The ECHL’s Iowa Heartlanders announced Tuesday that Derek Damon will take over duties as head coach and general manager of the second-year pro hockey franchise. He was an assistant coach last season for the Heartlanders.
Four members of the Cedar Rapids Kernels are on the injured list with COVID-19, another two on IL with concussion and hamstring injury. Those absences have contributed to slow start to Midwest League’s second half.
Tickets for the August 9 Midwest League baseball game between the Cedar Rapids Kernels and Quad Cities River Bandits at the Field of Dreams movie site near Dyersville go on sale to residents of Iowa and Illinois on Saturday morning. They are $85 for a box seat and $65 for a bleacher seat.
Head coach/general manager Gerry Fleming and assistant coach/assistant general manager Derek Damon have been hard at work building an Iowa Heartlanders roster for the 2022-23 season. With their inaugural season out of the way, they’re finding more receptiveness from potential players.
There are a low percentage of African-Americans playing the game of baseball professionally, and an even lower percentage playing Division I college ball. Cedar Rapids Kernels Black players hope those numbers will increase.
The Cedar Rapids Kernels won the Western Division and finished with the Midwest League’s best record in the first half. They look to continue to win as second half gets underway.
Starting pitcher Brent Headrick improved his record to 7-2 with five strong innings as the Cedar Rapids Kernels beat West Michigan, 4-2, Wednesday afternoon. Headrick is tied for the Midwest League lead in wins.
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