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

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. 

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. 

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..

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.