Article: Twins Minor League Report (9/5): Kernels Kaput

[Seth Stohs]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=2301-Twins-Minor-League-Report-(9-5)-Kernels-Kaput

[Rick Niedermann]

Also in Cedar Rapids, Terry Ryan was in the crowd scouting the game. Mike Gonzales looked to have a 400 ft homer that was knocked down by a wind coming in from center. He had a couple of gafs in the field that hurt Shibuya. Adam Brett Walkers ball looked foul to me. But more frustrating was the inconsistent strike calls of the home plate umpire. Mason Melatokis sure looks like the real deal. I think he will see Minnesota in a couple of years. Houston's-Quad Cities Corriea looks like a future star. Big for a shortstop though. It was a great year in Cedar Rapids. So good to have a Twins affiliate in Iowa.

[Seth Stohs]

Correa is legit. He is a Top 10 prospect. Houston chose to get Correa and McCullers and Ruiz instead of getting Buxton. Buxton's the top prospect in baseball, but Correa's Top ten. McCullers throws 100. Ruiz has all kinds of power. Don't forget that Quad Cities shut down Mark Appel. He could be on this roster too now.

[lightfoot789]

I heard the guys on the radio say (last night) that they thought Walker was their MVP for Kernels because of the full season he played in CR. They also complimented the Kernels on playing to a better record in the 2nd half of the season. I couldn't agree with them more. It was an amazing season despite the end results. Best of wishes to ALL the Kernels as the embark on their future MLB careers. Great season. Shout out to Seth and all the Twins Daily writers as they made this my morning / afternoon / and evening read with coffee and / or nightcap. Great Work.

[Otwins]

Thanks Seth for the daily updates. I don't think there was one I did not enjoy.

[clutterheart]

its a big shame that Berrios didn't pitch this series.

 

I would've like to see what the kid with big time stuff could've done against a top tier line-up. It would've been good for his development and better for the organization.

[Seth Stohs]

I heard the guys on the radio say (last night) that they thought Walker was their MVP for Kernels because of the full season he played in CR. They also complimented the Kernels on playing to a better record in the 2nd half of the season. I couldn't agree with them more. It was an amazing season despite the end results. Best of wishes to ALL the Kernels as the embark on their future MLB careers. Great season. Shout out to Seth and all the Twins Daily writers as they made this my morning / afternoon / and evening read with coffee and / or nightcap. Great Work.

 

Buxton was named the League MVP despite playing just 3 games into the 2nd half. I agree that Adam Walker is absolutely the Kernels MVP. No question.

 

We were all impressed when the Kernels won 40 games in the first half... they then won 48 games in the 2nd half. Very impressive season.

[Seth Stohs]

Thanks Seth for the daily updates. I don't think there was one I did not enjoy.

 

I appreciate that. Thankfully the Twins minor league affiliates gave us a lot to write about. It was a fun minor league season for the teams and a lot of great prospects continued to take strides. And, as I've said over and over, it's also about recognizing the players who don't get the national or even local people don't talk about.

[roger]

Seth, I know how much work you have to meet every day's deadline. Yet, I also know how much you enjoy it.

 

Thanks for a great year. Enjoy your off-season and just think, spring training is only a bit more than five months away!

[Seth Stohs]

Thanks for a great year. Enjoy your off-season and just think, spring training is only a bit more than five months away!

 

Offseason? What Offseason??? We'll be here all winter with TONS of minor league content!

[chaderic20]

Hopefully these post season series losses will leave a bitter taste in these guys' mouths that they'll clearly remember when they're in MN in a few years.

[Steven Buhr]

its a big shame that Berrios didn't pitch this series.

 

I would've like to see what the kid with big time stuff could've done against a top tier line-up. It would've been good for his development and better for the organization.

 

We saw what Berrios could do against the River Bandits line up 2 weeks ago. He lasted 4.2 IP and gave up 5 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. His next start, against a bad Kane County team, was even worse.

 

Mauer and Lucas absolutely made the right call on pitching assignments.

 

The problem the last two nights was not pitching, it was hitting (or rather a lack thereof).

 

As for the fair/foul shot by Walker, even the QC third baseman said it was fair. It really wasn't all that close IMO. It's quite possible Walker hit the ball too hard/far. Based on where it landed and how far it had blown to the left by a pretty stiff breeze coming in from CF, he probably couldn't believe a ball that ended up that far left of the pole had been inside the pole when it went out of the ballpark. Possibly cost the Kernels more than just the 2 runs, as well. CR ended up with runners on the corners with 2 out, but without Walker's eventual K, they'd have been at the corners with 1 out.

 

The umpire in question has been a thorn in the Kernels' side all season. He's just not very good at his job.

 

Despite how things ended, though, it's been a fun year with this ballclub. Classy guys from staff through the roster. I wish every one of them all the best in the future.

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

its a big shame that Berrios didn't pitch this series.

 

I would've like to see what the kid with big time stuff could've done against a top tier line-up. It would've been good for his development and better for the organization.

 

I have been following the Kernels closely--Berrios hit a wall a few weeks ago and pretty much struggled to the end of the season. I agree with JC (or SD) the pitching was OK in the playoffs--hard to win when you only get 4 hits in the game (what the Kernels got in game 1).

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

I join others in thanking Seth (and Jeremy) for these daily updates. I have never followed the minors like I did this year--really enjoyed it--as opposed to the routine the past few years of tuning out baseball sometime in June when it was obvious the Twins were done...

[Mr. Brooks]

We saw what Berrios could do against the River Bandits line up 2 weeks ago. He lasted 4.2 IP and gave up 5 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. His next start, against a bad Kane County team, was even worse.

 

Mauer and Lucas absolutely made the right call on pitching assignments.

 

The problem the last two nights was not pitching, it was hitting (or rather a lack thereof).

 

As for the fair/foul shot by Walker, even the QC third baseman said it was fair. It really wasn't all that close IMO. It's quite possible Walker hit the ball too hard/far. Based on where it landed and how far it had blown to the left by a pretty stiff breeze coming in from CF, he probably couldn't believe a ball that ended up that far left of the pole had been inside the pole when it went out of the ballpark. Possibly cost the Kernels more than just the 2 runs, as well. CR ended up with runners on the corners with 2 out, but without Walker's eventual K, they'd have been at the corners with 1 out.

 

The umpire in question has been a thorn in the Kernels' side all season. He's just not very good at his job.

 

Despite how things ended, though, it's been a fun year with this ballclub. Classy guys from staff through the roster. I wish every one of them all the best in the future.

 

Was it Phil Cuzzi incognito?

[Mr. Brooks]

I'll also join the hat tipping to Seth for these updates.

I don't see eye to eye with Seth on many of his opinions, but I can't dispute the excellent work he does with the minor league reports. By far the best thing going on this forum right now. (That is not a shot at the forum, just a compliment of how good these reports are)