Kernels ready to get it going

CEDAR RAPIDS - The gang's probably not all here, yet.

There are a couple of potentially big bats still out in Arizona at extended spring training, rehabbing injuries. Keep that in mind as the Cedar Rapids Kernels begin their 2011 season tonight at Peoria.

“Things with that could change, obviously,” said Kernels Manager Brent Del Chiaro. “If there are injuries elsewhere in the system, they could be sent out. But, yeah, we're missing two key guys right now.”

Outfielder Randal Grichuk and infielder Jeremy Cruz are those guys. Both played a lot last season for a Kernels club that went 82-56 overall.

Grichuk fouled a ball off his knee late in spring training, the latest in what already is a long list of injuries for the 2009 first-round draft pick of the parent Angels. Cruz has an oblique muscle strain.

They're scheduled to come to Cedar Rapids at some point. They're not here, yet, so it's time to talk about the guys who are around.

“I think we jelled really well in spring training,” said second baseman Wes Hatton. “Everyone plays real well together. I think we're going to have a good year, for sure ... We'll see soon.”

Seven guys with previous Midwest League experience in Cedar Rapids are on the opening-day roster. That includes catcher Carlos Ramirez, who hit nine home runs in 77 games last season.

He's scheduled to get the majority of the playing time behind the plate, with 2008 Kernel Braulio Pardo his backup. The rest of the returnees have played little at the high-A level: shortstop Jean Almanzar, third baseman Ricky Alvarez and pitchers Suammy Baez and Max Russell.

Baez and Russell are part of the starting rotation, along with Heath Nichols, Brian Diemer and converted reliever Daniel Tillman. The closer role will be by committee.

The most-day lineup includes Almanzar, Hatton, Jesus Campos at third base, Brandon Decker at first base and Travis Witherspoon (center), Andrew Heid (left) and Ryan Jones (right) in the outfield.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder Decker hit .341 with 13 homers in 52 games last season for Rookie-level Orem. Heid hit a whopping .362 and Witherspoon .301 with 10 homers and 20 stolen bases.

“When we got toward the end of spring training, I saw a very talented group,” Del Chiaro said. “We're kind of evenly matched up. We've got some speed at the top of the order, and we've got some power throughout the middle ... We've got a lot of options, some versatility, which is exciting.”

“I think even some of the speed guys have quite a bit of pop in their bats,” Hatton said. “I think we're a very complete team.” 

Orem was uncharacteristically average last season and the Arizona Rookie League Angels under .500. Those are the feeder teams for the Kernels.

Del Chiaro said he saw a couple of Midwest League teams in spring training and thinks the Kernels will be able to compete this season. We'll find out if he's right in five months.