Starting Pitchers
Kernel’s ace Stevie ‘Oil Can’ Wolarski, a southpaw, has outstanding stuff to keep hitters off balance. He mixes in assorted breaking balls (knucklers, changeups, and curves), with his 100 mph fastball. He has had some minor injuries in the past couple of seasons and time will tell if the injuries will be an issue in2018. He recently signed a 3 year contract extension, so Stevie should be part of the Kernels organization for the near future. Sitting atop the rotation, he is a fan favorite.
Wiley right handed veteran Don Miller, has outstanding movement on his pitches which has helped him stick around. He hits the gun at 95 mph with his fastball and mixes it with a nice curveball and a hard splitter. These facts helped him to a record of 9 – 15 in 33 starts last season. The Kernels are hopeful Don will be able to add to his win total this season. He is signed through the 2018 season, so this may be his swan song in Des Moines.
Another lefty, Mick Hanscombe, is also slated to be in the Kernel’s pitching rotation. His pitches include a fastball, changeup, cutter, and a nice forkball. Mick’s fastball will not blow hitters away, however, he has the ability to paint the corners with ease. In 2017, he posted a 10-15 record with 29 starts. He gave up only 22 home runs and struck out 106 batters in 170 innings pitched. The Kernels are expecting great things from this youngster.
Right hander Ramon Castillo, should wind up in the starting pitching rotation. While overall he is an average pitcher, his strength comes from the variety of pitches he uses. He throws a slider, curveball, changeup, cutter, and forkball. In 2017, he posted a 10-9 record in 26 starts. He also struck out 126 batters in 154 innings pitched.
There are three players competing for the final spot in the Kernel’s starting pitching rotation. Luis Lopez, and AAA players Manny Valle and Carlos Merced, are all viable players to fill in that final spot. As this went to press there wasn’t a clear cut winner.
The Bullpen
The bullpen will be anchored by the aging Chad Jordan as the closer. Ramon Trejo and Alex Pulley will be his setup men. The rest appears to be a mess of players that includes Colin Julyan, Juan Delgado, Daniel Ocean, Ricardo Soriano, and a host of others. This is the real weak spot for the Kernels.
Infielders
Lee Dundee will be the Kernel’s choice at first base. Lee was stationed there for 82 games during the 2017 season and only had 14 errors in 140 games. He finished with 112 hits 494 at bats, with 7 home runs, and a .227 average. At the plate, Lee is right around replacement level. The Kernels can relax and not worry about this veteran player.
Kernel fans will see Trip Tucker covering second base. In the 2017 season, Trip played second base in 152 games and only had 1 error. He outstanding hands and a quick glove. At the plate, Trip grades out at slightly above average, with great speed around the bases. This youngster could become a great player in Des Moines if he can avoid the minor injuries that plagued him last season.
The veteran Dale Bunker will cover third base for the 2018 season. Dale has a cannon for an arm at the hot corner. In the 2017 season, Dale played third base in 113 games with only 8 errors. At the plate last season, he earned a .266 avg with 114 hits in 429 at bats. He also bashed out 24 home runs. The Kernels will be counting on him to hit a few more of those home runs in 2018.
The shortstop position will probably be decided during spring training. Youngster Ramon Espaillat and veteran Orlando Alejo will be going head to head for the position. Ramon lacks the power at the plate that GM Ed Murphy desires, however, he has a strong arm and can turn the double play with ease. Orlando struggled at the plate in 2017, and his fielding is slightly worse than Espaillat. The final decision could impact their entire season.
Kernel’s main catcher will be Tom Wood. Tom has outstanding ability behind the dish. He only had 7 errors during the 2017 season. At the plate, Tom had 138 hits in 479 at bats and ended the season with a .288 average. He has above average ability to put the ball in play, but, he lacks any real power at the plate.
Valentin Lugo will be the Kernel’s designated hitter. In 2017 he had a .270 average with 93 hits in 345 at bats. He also managed to only hit 3 home runs. The Kernels need Valentin to have a greater impact in 2018.
Outfielders
Kernels 2018 outfield will include Christian Raines, Danny Vermin, Roland Sorensen, and Marcus Hollis.
In 2017 Christian Raines played 160 games and had a total of 2 errors. The Kernels will be depending on his fielding expertise in 2018. At the plate in 2017, he had 174 hits in 608 at bats, hitting 33 home runs with a .286 average. He also possesses good speed around the bases.
Danny Vermin also spent the 2017 season in the outfield for the Kernels. He had a couple of minor injuries that impacted the number of games he played in. Danny played 96 games and had a total of 3 errors. At the plate, he had 132 hits in 483 at bats, hitting 5 home runs with a .273 average.
Roland Sorensen spent 157 games in 2017 in the outfield for the Kernels. He had 7 errors. At the plate Roland has excellent gap, with above average contact and power. In 2017, he had 167 hits from 586 at bats, with 22 home runs, with a .285 average.
Marcus Hollis was a utility player in 2017, that will probably see the outfield during the 2018 season. He had some minor injuries over the last couple of years. At the plate he had 65 hits in 227 at bats, hitting 14 home runs with an average of .286.
Overall this looks like a .500 team, but somehow GM Ed Murphy always finds a way to surprise. He is, after all, the only current GM with a title in the MBBA AND the EBA.
