The Kernel Journal - Vol. 7, No. 2 - Rule V Madness
Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 11:38 am
It's unusual to have a Landis Memorial Series participant so involved in the offseason Rule V Draft. But that's exactly what happened to the defending Frick League champion Des Moines Kernels, who plucked a total of four players from other organizations. Being tight to the salary cap can do that to a club.
With their first round selection, the Kernels swiped 23-year-old P Jesus Torrealba from division rival Marquette. The lefty spent the entirety of the 2000 season dominating Single-A hitters. The former sixth round draft choice is well-developed with an excellent developmental curve. Needing someone to grow in the fifth starter role and without a left-handed starter, Torrealba was the natural choice to get his shot. He immediately joins the Kernels as their fifth best prospect, according to Baseball America.
The Kernels next addressed their need to find a backup catcher by drafting C Brian Almy from the Hawaii Tropics. Almy isn't anything spectacular, but brings average defense with a pretty average bat. The 26-year-old does have very good gap power and isn't prone to strikeouts, so he has that going for him. Hopefully, Almy won't see many at bats, because if he does, we're in trouble.
Round three saw Des Moines address a hole at the back of their bullpen by hitting up Hawaii again and selecting P Chase Pack. The Kernels have made no bones about it - Pack will be a reliever for this club. They have already tasked the club's pitching coaches to convert Pack into a reliever. His stuff should convert very well as a reliever, where he'll likely work in a longer relief role behind the Kernels' talented young trio of relief arms.
The defense-loving Kernels closed out the draft by poaching a luxury from Marquette in OF Chris Modzewski. Let's be honest - the guy can't hit a lick. But he plays Platinum Award caliber defense at all three outfield positions and is a passable backup at both second and third base. Modzewski, a career .251 hitter, will likely serve as a late-inning defensive replacement for the Kernels this season.
With their first round selection, the Kernels swiped 23-year-old P Jesus Torrealba from division rival Marquette. The lefty spent the entirety of the 2000 season dominating Single-A hitters. The former sixth round draft choice is well-developed with an excellent developmental curve. Needing someone to grow in the fifth starter role and without a left-handed starter, Torrealba was the natural choice to get his shot. He immediately joins the Kernels as their fifth best prospect, according to Baseball America.
The Kernels next addressed their need to find a backup catcher by drafting C Brian Almy from the Hawaii Tropics. Almy isn't anything spectacular, but brings average defense with a pretty average bat. The 26-year-old does have very good gap power and isn't prone to strikeouts, so he has that going for him. Hopefully, Almy won't see many at bats, because if he does, we're in trouble.
Round three saw Des Moines address a hole at the back of their bullpen by hitting up Hawaii again and selecting P Chase Pack. The Kernels have made no bones about it - Pack will be a reliever for this club. They have already tasked the club's pitching coaches to convert Pack into a reliever. His stuff should convert very well as a reliever, where he'll likely work in a longer relief role behind the Kernels' talented young trio of relief arms.
The defense-loving Kernels closed out the draft by poaching a luxury from Marquette in OF Chris Modzewski. Let's be honest - the guy can't hit a lick. But he plays Platinum Award caliber defense at all three outfield positions and is a passable backup at both second and third base. Modzewski, a career .251 hitter, will likely serve as a late-inning defensive replacement for the Kernels this season.
