Keith Johnson is back as the manager of the
Cedar Rapids Kernels for 2009.
His first season as a professional baseball manager was successful, but he wants his second one to be even more so.
Keith Johnson confirmed Tuesday he is returning to skipper the Cedar Rapids Kernels for a second straight season in 2009. His Kernels advanced to the second round of the 2008 Midwest League playoffs.
"I'm looking forward to coming back," Johnson said from his off-season home in Utah. "Hopefully, we can finish the deal this time."
For the new readers out there, there are three rounds to the MWL playoffs. He even has a quick preview of the '09 Kernels.
Johnson said the 2009 Kernels should have good pitching and be a better hitting team than in 2008.
The Orem Owlz, directly below Cedar Rapids in the Los Angeles Angels farm system, advanced to the championship series of the Pioneer League, as usual, losing out to Great Falls.
Five Owlz who should play for the Kernels in 2009 are:
All-Pioneer League: designated hitter Roberto Lopez, third baseman Luis Jimenez, outfielder Angel Castillo and pitchers Jayson Miller and Will Smith.
"From what I've heard, we're going to have a little deeper pitching staff, as far as throwing strikes," Johnson said. "Then we should have some position player guys who can swing the bat.
Really, anyone can swing the bat. It's making contact that is the tricky part.
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