2026 Cedar Rapids Kernels Roster Preview: Impact Bats and Upside Arms

[Sam Caulder]

Image courtesy of Malamut Photography (L to R: Eduardo Tait, Dasan Hill, Brandon Winokur)

The Cedar Rapids Kernels are back, and their 2026 Opening Day roster is officially set.

Cedar Rapids opens the season with 29 active players and six more on the injured list. There’s a strong mix here of returning names, 2025 standouts, and a handful of highly-touted prospects.

Let’s break it down.

Coaching Staff:
There’s a lot of continuity here, starting at the top. Brian Meyer returns as manager after leading the Kernels to a Midwest League Championship Series appearance in 2025.

Pitching Coach Hunter Townsend, Hitting and Development Coach Yeison Perez, Strength and Conditioning Coach Morgan Buckley, and Assistant Athletic Trainer Morgan Leichtenberger all return as well.

There are a few new additions as well. Erick Julio joins the pitching staff, Danny Marcuzzo steps in as hitting coach, and Katie Lortie takes over as lead athletic trainer.

Pitchers: Christian Becerra, Adrian Bohorquez, Jason Doktorczyk, Brent Francisco, Dasan Hill, Eli Jones, Paulshawn Pasqualotto, Cole Peschl, Sam Rochard, Ivran Romero, Michael Ross, Yehizon Sanchez, Nolan Santos, Eston Stull, Nick Trabacchi, and Jacob Wosinski.

Injured List: Miguelangel Boadas, Michael Carpenter, Ross Dunn, Tanner Hall, Garrett Horn and Charlee Soto.

There are a lot of arms here, but one name clearly sets the tone: Dasan Hill is the guy.

The Twins’ #6 prospect and second-highest ranked pitching prospect in the system, Hill already got a brief taste of Cedar Rapids last year, and the stuff showed up immediately. In just 10 innings, he struck out 15 hitters, flashing the type of swing and miss ability that gives him real breakout potential in 2026.

This is a big assignment for him. If he performs early, he’s going to start climbing even higher in prospect conversations.

Behind him, there’s a mix of returning depth and upside arms like Cole Peschl and Adrian Bohorquez.

And then there’s the injured list, which is loaded.

Charlee Soto, Ross Dunn and Tanner Hall are all starting the year sidelined. Soto, the Twins’ #10 prospect, is a huge name to monitor. Once he’s back, he immediately raises the ceiling of this entire staff.

This group might take a little time to come together, but the upside is very real.

Catchers: Khadeim Diaw, Luis Hernandez, and Eduardo Tait.
Eduardo Tait is the headliner here, but don't overlook Khadim Diaw.

The Twins’ #4 prospect is the biggest name on this entire roster. In a small sample last season, he totaled 13 extra-base hits in just 30 games with Cedar Rapids, showing real power potential. There’s going to be a lot of attention on how that translates over a full year.

Khadim Diaw, the #19 Twins prospect, is a really strong complementary piece. He hit .294 with a .446 on-base percentage and an .866 OPS in Cedar Rapids last season, which is excellent production from a catcher. He also has experience in the outfield, giving the Kernels some extra versatility.

Infielders: Miguel Briceno, Danny De Andrade, Rayne Doncon, Marek Houston, Andy Lugo, Jay Thomason, and Brandon Winokur.
This is, arguably, the biggest strength of the roster, and Marek Houston is the most notable name here.

The Twins’ #9 prospect is going to be one of the key players to watch all season. He struggled in a small sample at High-A last year, hitting just .152 in 46 at-bats. But the same was true of Kaelen Culpepper entering last season, and he took a huge step forward.

Not far behind him is Brandon Winokur. The Twins’ #13 prospect brings one of the most intriguing profiles on the team. Last season, he led the group in home runs and added 26 stolen bases but also struck out in just under 25% of his plate appearances. Winkour’s power and speed are real, and if the contact improves even slightly, his ceiling is extremely high.

Danny De Andrade is another name to know. He was limited by injuries last year, but he’s one of the better defensive infielders in the Twins’ system. This is a big year for him.

Rayne Doncon returns after posting a .516 OPS in his first taste of High-A and will look to adjust with more experience. Andy Lugo quietly had a strong season, hitting .309 with an .889 OPS, giving this group another productive bat.

Outfielders: Jaime Ferrer, Caden Kendle, and Jacob McCombs.
It’s a smaller group, but still some interesting pieces. There’s no clear “top dog” at the position entering the year.

Ferrer finished with a .635 OPS at High-A last season but showed flashes and will look to take a step forward. Kendle brings a contact-oriented approach with strong bat-to-ball skills, and McCombs, the Twins’ 7th round pick last summer, will start his first full professional season in Cedar Rapids. As I noted earlier, Khadim Diaw will likely mix in some as well when he’s not catching.

This Cedar Rapids roster feels pretty familiar, but in the best way. There’s a strong returning core, several high-end prospects, and a lot of players with room to grow. If the pitching staff gets healthier and a few key bats take a step forward, this has a chance to be a really fun team to follow in 2026.

Opening Night is set for April 3rd, and there’s going to be a lot to watch right out of the gate.

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[FlyingFinn]

Lots of returning players should make this a strong team, other than the OF. Quite a bit of talent on that pitchers injured list right now.

[twinstalker]

Well, there's some hope for a catcher out of this mess.

[GopherTide]

Agreed there is a lot to pay attention to on that team, perhaps with the exception of the outfield - which I hear we have a few promising prospects for at another minor league level.  Very interested to see what Hill can do this year and how soon Soto can get back.  There's a ton of talent and promise with both of them, just hoping they can stay healthy.  

[Mike Sixel]

Just put winokur in the OF already. 

DeAndrade is undervalued, imo. 

Lots of high risk upside on this roster. Should be exciting and frustrating at times. 

[rdehring]

Any more information on Soto's injury?  What is it?  Any idea when he is expected back?

Although I hope neither Soto nor Hill is on this team come season's end, that would be one heck of a pair to start the playoffs with.  Maybe they will get to do that in Wichita?

As mentioned above, I think Winokur will spend more time in the outfield than as an infielder.  The five I will be most interested checking on in every morning's box score are:  Hill, Soto, Tait, Winokur and Houston.  With a bit of luck, we could see all five of them at Target Field a couple years from now

[High heat]

Doncon looked good in his ST appearances. 
 

Would like to see Diaw or Tait start hot and push themselves into catching at AA.  
 

Hill might be a fast mover to AA. If his control is better he might make light work of high A.

 

 

[FlyingFinn]

3 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

DeAndrade is undervalued, imo.

Like your enthusiasm for him as I used to have him in my top 10 prospects (thought the bat would come along and he was great at SS). Now, after ending 2024 in Cedar Rapids and playing all of 2025 there, he is still there in 2026. With him hardly playing any SS now also, players repeating a level like this usually don't make it past AAA.

[Mike Sixel]

4 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

Like your enthusiasm for him as I used to have him in my top 10 prospects (thought the bat would come along and he was great at SS). Now, after ending 2024 in Cedar Rapids and playing all of 2025 there, he is still there in 2026. With him hardly playing any SS now also, players repeating a level like this usually don't make it past AAA.

I share that concern. I refuse to give up yet. 

[jkcarew]

While Charlee Soto remains interesting as a prospect, at this point I’ll have to see that the “huge upside” (starter) is still intact before I’m buying back in. I guess it’s a positive that they’re thinking of a A+ restart. I’m hoping for 50+ innings…maybe 4-inning outings when things go well by August or September??

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Hill, Tait and Houston will play for the Twins major league team in 2028. They are all exceptional baseball players.

[Sam Caulder]

9 hours ago, rdehring said:

Any more information on Soto's injury?  What is it?  Any idea when he is expected back?

Although I hope neither Soto nor Hill is on this team come season's end, that would be one heck of a pair to start the playoffs with.  Maybe they will get to do that in Wichita?

As mentioned above, I think Winokur will spend more time in the outfield than as an infielder.  The five I will be most interested checking on in every morning's box score are:  Hill, Soto, Tait, Winokur and Houston.  With a bit of luck, we could see all five of them at Target Field a couple years from now

He had surgery last summer to remove bone spurs from his throwing elbow. Sounds like he's recovering from that still, but SHOULD be back around early May

[jmlease1]

22 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Just put winokur in the OF already. 

DeAndrade is undervalued, imo. 

Lots of high risk upside on this roster. Should be exciting and frustrating at times. 

Agreed. Winokur has the athleticism to by a good CF and it's not like he'd be blocking anyone. I guess I could live with him at 3B (especially with Amick having been pushed up), but hopefully the SS experiment is dead and dusted. But having him make a go of it in CF and spending the season working on his swing seems like the best way to tap his athleticism.

I like De Andrade myself, but the Twins sure seem down on him.

Really hope Soto is able to get back on the field by May; I'm still a fan of his talent but he needs to pitch this season. Having him and Hill together for a big chunk of the season could make Cedar Rapids pretty fun to watch.

[Mike Sixel]

6 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Agreed. Winokur has the athleticism to by a good CF and it's not like he'd be blocking anyone. I guess I could live with him at 3B (especially with Amick having been pushed up), but hopefully the SS experiment is dead and dusted. But having him make a go of it in CF and spending the season working on his swing seems like the best way to tap his athleticism.

I like De Andrade myself, but the Twins sure seem down on him.

Really hope Soto is able to get back on the field by May; I'm still a fan of his talent but he needs to pitch this season. Having him and Hill together for a big chunk of the season could make Cedar Rapids pretty fun to watch.

I'd be ok with one third or fourth of his starts at third also. But if he's ever playing SS in Minnesota, something went very wrong..

[DocBauer]

OK, I'm really late to this thread, but I HAVE to comment on the Kernals. I really like this team! 

A staff lead by Hill, and Bohorquez (thank goodness for auto fill, LOL) could be an outstanding 1-2 punch. Add a healthy Soto late April or early May and we really have something! And that's no disrespect to the other starters there. Just for fun, I picked Doktorczyk as a "pitcher to watch" last season. And he actually started the ST "Futures Game" for the Twins last season, before he had thrown a professional inning, IRC. He's tall, and has a funky, deceptive delivery that reminds me a bit of Ober. Alas, he was inconsistent in 2025...some good games, some not so good...but I'm going out on a limb again to say he's a very interesting arm that should be watched. I'm guessing Becerra, Peschi, and Michael Ross are in the rotation, for now at least, with Soto out.

But I'm still really intrigued about LH arms Michael Carpenter...only 19yo when drafted...and Garrett Horn...acquired at the deadline last year...as guys currently on the IL. The Kernals should have an excellent staff even before guys come off the IL, and before arms from the '25 draft make their way up later in the year.

We all recognize Tait as not only a TOP Twins prospect, but a top 100 prospect. I'm really excited about his arm, and his power. And I couldn't care less...at his age...if he spends the entire season at CR. All I want is gradual improvement with his contact, and the defensive subtleties of being a catcher. There is no reason to rush him.

But I'm very high on Diaw. He is almost certainly the best ATHLETE the Twins have drafted since Mauer. Regardless of potential power, he's already shown a propensity to be a good HITTER, with a solid eye. I think at least SOME power will come naturally. But give me a great athlete behind the plate with a quality HIT tool, the actual nuances of defense and game calling can be taught. I think he should get a little more love than he's gotten so far.

There's a LOT to like in the INF as well. Up until the last 2 drafts, DeAndrade was the best SS prospect in the system. Unfortunately, injuries have delayed his progression. As a result of his delayed development, and a pair of college SS in the last 2 drafts, he might have a hard time reaching the Twins as a "SS of the future". Not saying he CAN'T, but he might end up at 3B or 2B, or as a super utility player. He's still not quite 22yo, and has flashed POP and speed and a decent bat. He could be a fast riser if he can stay healthy.

Doncon has flashed some power, and seems to be settling in to a corner INF spot. That's fine if the BAT takes a step forward, but so far, he's been pretty mediocre.

I THINK Andy Lugo was the payment for the Alcala trade to Boston. He's a 1B/3B/LF defender at 22yo who has some speed, DBLS power with the occasional HR, but can actually hit a little. Not sure there's much there.

Thomason, drafted in the 17th round of 2024 from the Air Force, actually played quite a bit, unusually, once drafted. His initial numbers were poor. But the 23yo raked in 2025 at Ft Myers before hitting a wall at A+. He's got some power and HIT ability, but at almost 24yo, he's probably MILB filler.

But DeAndrade is the #2 guy in the INF for this team. And that's a shame based on ability. Injuries have held him back. But the POTENTIAL is still there if he can stay healthy going forward to end up as a potential starter at 3B or 2B. That's his ceiling. His lower ceiling is a really nice super utility INF. I don't want to sleep on him yet, IF he can stay healthy going forward. 

But let's all be honest as to the #1 player in the INF. Houston's glove might already be ML ready. The question is his BAT. Well, despite being a fairly large SS at 6' 3" and 205lbs, he's never had much power until his last season at Wake Forest. But most of his HR came at home in a small ballpark. IMO, the Twins drafted him for his defense, and a solid bat, but were somewhat disappointed because they had their eye on a HS SS they liked even better. (Rumors and such). But Houston was a really nice consolation prize. Based on his college career, he's a high contact hitter with a good eye that leads to a good OB%. I'd like to think the Twins recognize he's just not a power hitter.  His eye and discipline indicates he's a good contact hitter, with DBLS power, the ability to steal some bases, and generally "run" the bases well. MAYBE he turns in to a hitter like Dozier at some point. But do we care that much?

If Houston could bat .250 with an OB of .320 with his eye/discipline and 30 DBLS power while jacking 8 HR with his defense he's a borderline All Star. 

Unfortunately, he might be slightly lower than those numbers. Even then, then the defense could overcome the offense, if his bat doesn't completely stink.

The OF is a mix of maybes. Ferrer WAS a TOP catcher prospect when recruited. The Twins have had him catch some. I really thought they had a serious opinion for the catcher position. Apparently he's just an OF now.  And the OF is a weird mix.

But let's now direct our attention to the #1 player elephant in the room.  Winokur.  He MIGHT be the best CF option for CF in 2yrs for now. He's got the ability to be a very good 3B. At WORST, he could be a tremendous 1B. But if his BAT is even average, he could play almost anywhere. 

[TopGunn#22]

I agree 100% that it's time to play Winokur in the OF...exclusively.  When you have a player his size and speed who has gotten as many reps at SS as he has, it's hard not to put him in the upper, upper echelon of "athletes" in the Twins minor leagues.

 But when you play on the same team as Marek Houston, realistically, how many reps can you expect to get at SS ??  And unfortunately, that goes for DeAndrade.  I agree with those who are also somewhat baffled by his sliding standing in the Twins prospect rankings.  For him, it really comes down to health.  I believe that if DeAndrade stays healthy in 2026, he will put together a season that will see him move UP the rankings of prospects.

Dasan Hill is probably the #1 guy NOT named Walker Jenkins I'll be looking at.  But I will be interested in checking up on a number of guys on this team and anticipating a promotion if things go well.  Houston, Tait, Winokur, Diaw and DeAndrade all merit attention.  Depending on who the Twins pick at #3 in the Amateur Draft (another SS?) that guy could find himself on this team at some point in 2026.