Pitching Prevails on Kernels 2006 Roster
April 3, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim this afternoon of.cially announced the roster for the 2006 Cedar Rapids Kernels. Six of the players on the 25-man roster are listed among the Angels Top 30 prospects by Baseball America and 16 of the '06 Kernels spent time with 2005 Pioneer League champion Orem a year ago.
Just four players - left-hander Gustavo Espinoza, catcher Brett Martinez, and out.elders Warner Madrigal and Jordan Renz - spent time with the Kernels during the 2005 season.
Highlighting the 2006 edition of the Kernels will be a pair of pitchers that were listed by Baseball America as Top 10 prospects in the Angels system: right-handers Nick Adenhart and Tommy Mendoza. Adenhart, who has the best curveball in the organization according to Baseball America, ranks as the No. 6 prospect. Mendoza, recognized by BA as having the best fastball in the chain, entered the list at the 10th spot. Both hurlers enjoyed successful professional debuts during the 2005 season with the Mesa Angels, earning late season promotions to Orem and Rancho Cucamonga, respectively.
First baseman Mark Trumbo (12th), shortstop Hainley Statia (16th), right-hander Stephen Marek (18th), and Espinoza (30th) also garnered mention in Baseball America's list of top Angels farmhands. For the second year in a row Madrigal was voted by BA as having the strongest out.eld arm in the system.
Manager Bobby Magallanes returns to Cedar Rapids for his third season as skipper of the Kernels after guiding the team to a playoff berth in 2004 and narrowly missing one last year.
The Kernels open the 2006 season on the road with a four-game series at Beloit, Wisc., beginning Thursday before kicking off the home portion of their schedule with a noon game against the Peoria Chiefs, a Chicago Cubs af.liate, on Monday, April 10. Festivities for the home opener include free stadium replicas to the .rst 1,000 people through the gates, magnet schedules for all in attendance, and a special appearance by Hall of Fame pitcher and Chicago Cubs legend Fergie Jenkins.
Fans can get an early sneak peak at the 2006 Kernels "Meet the Players Night" on Tuesday when the Kernels will scrimmage the Kirkwood Community College Eagles at Veterans Memorial Stadium at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids and includes a ballpark-style all-you-can-eat dinner as well as unlimited beverages from 5 until 8 p.m. Following the scrimmage fans can meet the players on the concourse to get autographs, pose for pictures, and discuss the upcoming season. Local musician Jeff Bruner will be playing on the Miller Mezzanine from 8-11 p.m. and there will be no admission charge after 8 p.m. A cash bar will be available.
Tickets for "Meet the Players Night," Opening Day, and all of the Kernels 2006 home games are available by calling the Kernels ticket of.ce at 896-7560. Regular season tickets are also available for purchase through the Kernels website at www.kernels.com.
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Midwest League Stories from April 3, 2006
- 2006 season is here - Peoria Chiefs
- Pitching Prevails on Kernels 2006 Roster - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Fergeson Jenkins to attend April 10-12 games - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Tigers Top Pick Headed To West Michigan - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Billek, Estrada, Norwood Among Chiefs Returnees in 2006 - Peoria Chiefs
- Number two prospect, son of big leaguer named to Swing roster - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Bees Opening Day Roster Set - Burlington Bees
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