'Spoon' feeding Kernels with hits, stolen bases

CEDAR RAPIDS - Travis Witherspoon always tries to come to the park in a good mood.

That's something the Cedar Rapids Kernels outfielder has learned from his mentor. Maybe you've heard of him - veteran major leaguer Orlando Hudson.

“That's the biggest thing with him,” Witherspoon said.“He's always smiling, whether he's going good or bad.”

The affectionately known “O-Dog,” with the Padres after spending last season

 with the Twins, is from the same junior college as Witherspoon (Spartanburg Methodist in South Carolina). Though they are 12 years apart in age, they work out together in the offseason and stay in touch regularly during the season.

It's a neat relationship.

“He's a real good friend,” said Witherspoon, who went 3-for-4 with a walk and three RBIs in a 11-4 over Wisconsin on a blustery night at Veterans Memorial Stadium. “I talk to him on about an every other day basis. That's my big brother right there.”

Witherspoon, who turns 22 Saturday, has the tools to join his big brother in the big leagues some day. He can run and has raw power at the plate.

He hit a home run to dead center through a cross wind in his first home at-bat Monday. Last night, he pulled a ball over the fence to left despite a gale blowing in.

He also doubled in a run in the first inning and singled in another in the seventh. His seven stolen bases in eight games ranks second in the Midwest League.

Last season, Witherspoon was a 10-homer, 20 stolen-base guy in a repeat season at Rookie-level Orem. It was a performance that vaulted him onto Baseball America's list of top-30 parent Angels prospects.

“You never want to bet against the athlete,” said Kernels Manager Brent Del Chiaro.“He can do so many things that can change a ballgame. I think he'll continue to mature as a hitter, as a player. The sky's the limit for him. He's so talented.

“He's raw, he's still learning the game. But what he has done on the bases is exceptional.”

At least good enough to brag a little when Hudson phones him again.

“He just tells me it's a long season, it's going to be tough,” Witherspoon said.“Don't get down on yourself, bottom line. Even when you're going bad, smile every day, go to the ball field and work hard.”

The Kernels pulled back to even (4-4), breaking a 4-4 tie on Drew Heid's two-run double in the sixth inning. He went 3-for-4.

Cedar Rapids hits the road for three games at

Beloit and three at

Clinton, not returning home until Thursday, April 20 against

Quad Cities.