A Kernel of hope in CR: Experience

Jeff Johnson of the Cedar Rapids Gazette has an article in today's paper highlighting the 2009 Kernels roster which features plenty of experience but appears short on prospects.

The biggest surprise is catcher Anel De Los Santos, a former member of the Angels' Top 10 prospect list (2008) who spent time with the Kernels last year before being promoted to Double-A Arkansas where he was promptly inured.

Among newcomers, LHP Will Smith ranks the highest on BA's current Top 30 list for the Halos. The Tom Kotchman signee was a seventh round draft pick last summer and went 8-2 with a 3.08 ERA for perennial Pioneer League power Orem in 2008.

As Jeff points out, the roster is missing a pair of big names in Roberto Lopez and Luis Jimenez. Lopez led the Pioneer Leauge in hitting and RBI but didn't check in on the Top 30 prospect list, likely due to his age which skewed his Rookie League numbers. Jiminez, the Angels' No. 26, was expected to play third for the Kernels this summer but a labrum injury derailed his 2009 campaign.