Starting Pitchers
When you have a strong rotation, you tend to think outside the box. That is just what GM Eddie Murphy is doing while soaking in his hot tub listening to James Brown. The 2008 Kernels will feature a six man rotation. You heard right, six. The theory is that it cuts down on wear and tear so that your starters are fresh come playoff time. Of course, if you take the ball out of your ace's hand to start that sixth guy, you better feel pretty good about him. Here's the rotation.
Eugene Miller
Miller was picked up in June of last season in a trade with Montreal. He made 14 starts for Des Moines going 9-4 with a 3.15 ERA. Overall last year he was 19-7 with a 3.36 ERA. Numbers of a true Ace, but what cemented him as the ace and someone dear to Kernels fans, was his post season. In 5 post season starts, he went 5-0 with a 1.37 ERA through 39 IP. Even more staggering was his 5BB/39K ratio.
Charlie Shaffer
Coming off of a 16-6 campaign, Shaffer is the master of disguise. He features a changeup and a fastball. It's his ability to throw both with the same arm speed that contributes to his success
Dan Winter
Nabbed in the '02 rule 5 draft from Omaha, Winter kind of came in to his own last season. His GB% is second to none. Dan threw his first career no hitter on 7/31/07 against Seattle.
Andre Benjamin
"Mr. 3000" as he is called, was the big free agent splash of a season ago. Andre did what Andre does, keeps his ERA around 3.50 and sports a .500 record.
Parker Giorgi
Signed away from Omaha. Parker spent most of '07 recovering from Tommy John surgery. He was able to make five starts at the end of last season, going 1-4 with a 5.04 ERA. Giorgi looks to bounce back in a big way in '08.
Dalton Harrington
Spent '07 in a relief role with 12 spot starts. His 3.26 ERA must have convinced Murphy to give him a shot to start full time, hence the six man rotation.
Bullpen
MU/Spot SP Jeff Kiplinger
Kiplinger is a walking legend. In his 16 big league seasons, he has never been optioned to the minors, only pitching there in rehab stints in '06 and '07. With 500+ career starts and a 3.38 career ERA, the whole league looked past him as he sat waiting for the call. The Kernels made that call. Is it an emotional siging? It certainly is low risk at 1 yr $750,000. With injuries the last few years, this may be the end of the line. Definitely a story to watch unfold this season.
Middle Relief
Will Lamkin
Will has the skills to do it, just needs to be more consistent. had a 4.74 ERA a year ago.
Emmanuel Schreurs
Schreurs (pretty neat that I was able to spell that correctly twice) has closer ability. Spent '07 in AAA and had 27 saves. In '06 spent the season in Des Moines and had a 1.97 ERA in 32 IP. Pissed about being demoted after such a brilliant '06 campaign, Emmanuel looked motivated to prove people wrong.
Chris Anderson
The 33 yr old Anderson is going on his 10th season in Des Moines. After a 71.1 IP season with a 2.14 ERA and 8 saves, he will once again get a couple of chances to close out games.
Set Up
John Ballance
The 30 yr old Ballance is working on his 9th season in Des Moines. One of the best set up men in the game, he is annually in the top ten in holds.
Shawn Curtis
The lefty was used sparingly in '07. Finished with a 3.14 ERA in 29 IP.
Closer
Juan Quintero
The 2007 Gunga Oogalagunga Fireman of the Year, Juan is becoming the games top closer. In his 11th year in Des Moines, yet only 30 yrs old, led the league with 44 saves a season ago. For his career, he has 213 saves. Looks to repeat his Oogalagunga performance.
Position Players
Catcher
Desi Stanley will once again call the shot from behind the dish. A shrewd signing by Murphy, Stanley was given his first real shot to start since '04 with Las Vegas. He responded with a line of .317/.364/.506 with 19 HR and 85 RBI. His backup will be Balta Ruiz. Ruiz was lost on Waivers to Calgary in '07 and then found himself playing out the year in AAA Carson City (HAW). A favorite of GM Murphy, the defensive wizard was signed to a 2 yr deal.
First Base
This will be a position by committee. Youngster Robinson Cuervo will make his rookie debut in '08. Not much of a fielder, he will hit a ton of doubles and strike out very little. Aging mega star Rafael Rodriguez will also see time here to limit wear and tear on his 39 yr old legs. All he does is EVERYTHING. Even at 39 he is a plus defender at every IF position except SS where he is above average. OF Ignacio Ramos may also spend a little time here in an effort to get his bat in the lineup. One of the slowest players in the league, he won't hit a lot of HR's, but he will get on base. His .445 OBAVG led the league.
Second Base
Yet another rule 5 pick ('05 Valencia), Wilfredo Bonilla will man 2nd base for the Kernels in '08. Coming off a year where he hit .257/.322/.444 with 21 HR and 81 RBI, look for him to provide a presence in the middle of the order again. Expect Augusto Olivarez and even Rafael Rodriguez to provide depth here.
Short Stop
Orlando Alejo will man the ever important position of SS. Known for his great glove, he stole 18 bases in '07. He will be spelled by Rafael Rodriguez, Augusto Olivarez and Pat Sims.
Third Base
Murphy had his eye on the future when he acquired Albert Lawson with Eugene Miller from Montreal. Lawson is a good defender with the potential to put up decent numbers, especially against lefties. So much is thought of him that John Wilkinson was sent packing to Chicago, where he is getting fat on Portillo's italian beef sandwiches. Rafael Rodriguez will spend a little time at the hot corner as well.
Outfield
The primary starters will be Ferris Wheeler in LF, Wei-Quo Chong in CF, and Ignacio Ramos in RF. Wheeler is a free swinger who, when he connects, hits it a long way. Chong was acquired from Phoenix in '06 and is still blooming offensively. Ramos is a plus plus defender in both corner outfield spots and, as said before gets on base with ease. The primary backups are all the same in that they are vocal leaders that can't hit, but are among the best with a glove. They are Diego Perez and Matthieu Millette.
General Manager
GM Edward Murphy
GM Eddie Murphy came over to Des Moines in '04 fresh off of an interim stint in the EBA with Amsterdam, where they won the '03 EBA cup under his 9 game watch. Other than his 15 minutes of rule in Louisville before last season (the reason he is in Sluggers red above), he has made good decisions. Owner of a 348-300 (.537) career record, he has one two championships (one EBA) in his five seasons. The luck of the Irish is alive and well.
The Scoop
2007 was a magical season in which the Kernels, who were picked to win 70 games, went on to win the Landis Memorial Cup. They did it with dominating pitching, tough defense, and timely hitting. While I think they will do enough to get to the playoffs, a repeat will be tough. There just isn't enough offense in my book to do it again. Who knows though, if the cards fall right, anything is possible. What do I know anyway?
