Cedar Rapids Kernels Opening Day Roster - 2023

Let's take a look at the Kernels Opening Day roster. This group of prospects is incredibly exciting, filled with talented, high-upside players. You’ll definitely want to book a trip or four to Cedar Rapids this season! Even if it is just to see one of the biggest scoreboards in minor-league baseball (or the cool things they can do with their lights!). 

Coaching Staff
Brian Dinkelman is back for his fifth season as the Kernels manager. Before taking that role, he was the team’s hitting coach for three seasons. Former Astros pitcher Carlos Hernandez is in his sixth season in the Twins organization. This will be his first season as Kernels’ pitching coach after filling the same role for Ft. Myers the past three seasons. Jonas Lovin joined the Twins organization this winter. This is his first professional coaching job. The 27-year-old had been the pitching coach at Iowa Central Community College. Another new Twins coach in 2023 is hitting coach Corbin Day. He grew up in the Cedar Rapids area and before joining the Kernels, he was at Kirkwood Community College (just outside Cedar Rapids) where he played for two years before playing two seasons at Mount Mercy U in Cedar Rapids. Finally, former Twins minor-league catcher Yeison Perez joins the Kernels staff. He transitioned from player to coach in 2019. He spent the past two seasons in the FCL. 

Starting Pitchers: Alejandro Hidalgo, Jaylen Nowlin, Pierson Ohl, Kyle Jones, Connor Prielipp.
Connor Prielipp has looked dominant in spring training videos, but the Twins 2nd round pick in 2022 will make his pro debut with the Kernels. Jaylen Nowlin, a 19th round pick from 2021, made himself into the one of the top left-handers in the organization with his impressive strikeout rate. He had 111 strikeouts in 71 innings (14.1 K/9) He ended 2022 with three starts for Cedar Rapids. Kyle Jones was the Twins 7th round pick out of the University of Toledo. Pierson Ohl was drafted in the 14th round of the 2021 draft. He has terrific control. Last year in Ft. Myers, he had 101 strikeouts and just 13 walks in 91 2/3 innings. Alejandro Hidalgo came to the Twins this offseason from the Angels in the Gio Urshela deal. He won’t turn 20 until late May! 

For those curious, Marco Raya is going to be in Cedar Rapids. He’s rehabbing a “minor shoulder” issue but should join the Kernels in May. Christian MacLeod was the Twins fifth round pick in 2021, but he had Tommy John surgery early in 2022. He’s ready to go, but they’re (wisely) going to be cautious with him. Again, no need to rush them back into the cold of the Midwest League. 

Relief Pitchers: Malik Barrington, Jordan Carr, Regi Grace, Matt Mullenbach, Charlie Neuweiler, Niklas Rimmel, John Stankiewicz, Matthew Swain,  Miguel Rodriguez, Orlando Rodriguez, John Wilson 

There are several intriguing names on this list. Regi Grace was a former 10th-round pick. He has slowly progressed and is ready for this jump. Malik Barrington is a big, strong guy with good stuff out of the bullpen. Barrington and Jordan Carr were signed the same day out of the USPBL. Matt Mullenbach is in his third season in the Twins organization. He is an Iowa native. Niklas Rimmel signed with the Twins in 2017 from Berlin. Miguel Rodriguez and Orlando Rodriguez both spent a little time with the Kernels a year ago. Matthew Swain is 6-7 and throws really hard. He was the Twins 23rd round pick in 2019, and the Twins have been quite patient, but he’s been impressive. Finally, John Stankiewicz was a non-drafted free agent signing after the shortened 2020 draft. He began the 2022 season on an incredible run in Ft. Myers before ending his season with the Kernels. John Wilson is a left-hander, also signed in 2020, who has fought a lot of injuries since being a freshman All American in college. He continues to work his way back. Charlie Neuweiler is new to the organization very recently. He was the Royals' fifth-round pick in 2017 out of high school in New York. In 2022, he spent most of the season with Quad Cities, though he also made two appearances in Double-A and pitched in one Triple-A game too. 

Catchers: Noah Cardenas, Charles Mack, Jeferson Morales
Noah Cardenas was the Twins eighth-round pick in 2021 out of UCLA. Last year in Ft. Myers, he was named the Twins Daily All Minor League catcher last year. Charles Mack was drafted out of high school in New York in the sixth round of the 2018 draft. He spent last year in Ft. Myers, continuing his transition to catching. Jeferson Morales signed with the Twins in 2016. Last year, he played in Cedar Rapids but fought injuries much of the season. He can also play in the outfield. 

Infielders: Keoni Cavaco, Noah Miller, Ben Ross, Jose Salas, Tanner Schobel, Ernie Yake. 
What a group of intriguing prospects. Jose Salas ranks the highest in our prospect rankings. He came to the Twins with Pablo Lopez (and Byron Chourio) in the Luis Arraez trade. He will turn 20 in three weeks and ended the 2022 season at High-A. Keoni Cavaco was the Twins first round pick (13th overall) in the 2019 draft. While his prospect glimmer has faded, the tools are still there. He has soft hands and a strong arm that translates well at third base. He’s got good speed and power potential too. Maybe getting out of Florida will be what it takes to get him going. Noah Miller was the Twins Competitive Balance pick in 2021 out of high school in Wisconsin. He struggled with the bat in Ft. Myers last season, but he is tremendous defensively at shortstop. His brother, Owen Miller, was traded from Cleveland to his hometown Milwaukee Brewers in the offseason.  Tanner Schobel was the Twins Competitive Balance pick in 2022 after the 2nd round. He played/starred at Virginia Tech. Ben Ross was their fifth round pick from Division II Notre Dame College. He has really impressed in his short time in the organization with his all-around game. Ernie Yake was the team’s 10th round pick in 2021 out of Gonzaga. In 2022, he played in the FCL, in Ft. Myers, in Wichita, and in St. Paul… Now he will get some time in Cedar Rapids. 

Outfielders: Kyler Fedko, Willie Joe Garry, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Kala’i Rosario, Misael Urbina.
Obviously everyone will want to talk about Emmanuel Rodriguez, and for good reason. He’s really good, and one of the top prospects not only in the organization but also a global top 100 prospect after his incredible 2022 season. Unfortunately, that season was just two months long after he had knee surgery, but he’s back and ready to go again. Misael Urbina is also a very good prospect. A seven-figure bonus baby from 2018, he has spent the past two seasons with the Mighty Mussels. Last year, he missed several months due to a visa issue. Kala’i Rosario was their fifth round pick in 2020 out of high school in Hawaii where he was one of the top high school power prospects in the draft. Willie Joe Garry can absolutely fly. He’s a very good outfielder. There is a lot of talent and he’s looking forward to putting it together with the bat this year. Kyler Fedko spent much of the second half of the 2022 season with the Kernels. He was the team’s 12th round pick in 2021 out of UConn. 

TWINS DAILY TOP 20 PROSPECTS
#3 - Emmanuel Rodriguez
#4 - Marco Raya
#7 - Connor Prielipp
#8 - Jose Salas
#14 - Noah Miller
#18 - Tanner Schobel
#20 - Misael Urbina 

Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Twins' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!