End of the year (Cedar Rapids)

Jeff Johnson did a quick wrap on the season of the Cedar Rapids Kernels that turns into a quick look ahead to 2009.

It'll be interesting to see how many 2008 Kernels are 2009 Kernels. You've got to think most of this year's team will take the next step in the Los Angeles Angels farm system to high-Class A. That's what usually happens.

Shortstop Andrew Romine led the Midwest League with 62 stolen bases and flashed big-league caliber defense. Second baseman Hector Estrella was a .300 hitter. First baseman Gabe Jacobo joined the Kernels late from Rookie-level Orem and made a big offensive impact.

Outfielder Julio Perez was a vastly improved player, leading the Kernels with 75 RBIs. Fuller hit a solid .260, stole 36 bases and showed center-field grace.

On the pitching side, teenage left-hander Trevor Reckling won 10 games and was among the MWL's earned run average leaders all season. Fellow lefty Robert Fish also won 10 games and hard-throwing righty Jordan Walden was promoted halfway through the season. Eddie McKiernan took over as closer the second half of the season and picked up 22 saves.

Those guys will be gone.

Also, Jeff had a blog post

Boys of summer go home

The Kernels won more games than they lost (74-68) and made the playoffs because they truly played as a team, doing the “little things” you so often hear about to win ballgames: solid defense, good pitching, aggressive baserunning. The Kernels finished last in the Midwest League in team batting average and first in stolen bases.

This is where you say “That’s Angels baseball,” as I so often did in jest whenever a guy would get thrown out trying to steal third base this season or get thrown out trying to go from first to third on a hit to the outfield. The Angels teach their guys to play aggressively on the bases. Whether too aggressively is for you to decide.

There is also this:

Also, this was one of the better groups I’ve dealt with professionally in the 10 years I’ve been on the Kernels beat. Almost every guy was amenable when asked for a quick interview. Most of them would greet you hello whenever you passed them in the clubhouse or outside the stadium. The coaching staff of Manager Keith Johnson, pitching coach Brandon Emanuel and hitting coach Damon Mashore also were great to deal with (or have a beer with after the game). Thank you guys for all of your help this season, including catcher Chris Rosenbaum, who came to us to see if we wanted to run his season-long blog, which was simply outstanding.

As you know, I think it’s ridiculous that the Kernels’ Board of Directors don’t even look at bringing a Midwest major league affiliate in here (hello, Minnesota Twins). But I have to say that most of the players and coaches I’ve dealt with the past 10 seasons have been good guys. That is a testament to the Angels.