Results tagged ‘ Texas Rangers ’
Darren O’Day (2006) has signed a two-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles
Darren O’Day (Cedar Rapids Kernels – 2006) has signed a two-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles with a club option for a third year. O’Day is guaranteed $5.8M counting the $400k buyout with the third year option available to the team at $4.5M.
Darren O’Day posted a 3-1 mark with a 2.70 E.R.A. in 23 1/2 innings of work over 17 appearances for Cedar Rapids in 2006. The Kernels squad that finished 65-74 under manager Bobby Magallanes.
The Orioles had claimed righty reliever O’Day off waivers from the Rangers in 2011. O’Day, 29, had battled through injuries and posted a 0-1 record with a 5.40 E.R.A. He joined the Rangers via an April 2009 waiver claim from the Mets. From that point through the end of the 2010 season, O’Day provided the Rangers a 1.99 ERA, 7.6 K/9, 2.2 BB/9, and 0.61 HR/9 in 117 2/3 innings. He made an appearance in four of the 2010 World Series games. Darren O’Day went 7-1 with a 2.28 E.R.A. in 69 games out of the Orioles bullpen in 2012. O’Day struck out 69 batters in 67 innings of work. He has compiled a career mark of 15-6 with a 2.73 E.R.A.
Warner Madrigal (2004-07) has signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks
Warner Madrigal (Cedar Rapids Kernels – 2004-07) has signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Madrigal made his major league debut on July 2, 2008 with the Texas Rangers. He compiled a 0-2 record with one save and a 6.10 E.R.A. in 44 games during two seasons (2008-09) for the Rangers. Madrigal struck out 27 batters in 48 2/3 innings of work. He appeared in a pair of games for the Trenton Thunder (New York Yankees – Double-A) in 2011.
Warner Madrigal posted a 5-4 record with 20 saves and a 2.07 E.R.A. in 54 games for Cedar Rapids in 2007. Madrigal struck out 75 batters in 61 innings of work. Cedar Rapids finished the season with a 78-61 record under manager Ever Magallanes. The Kernels lost to the Clinton Lumberkings in the first round of the Midwest League Playoffs. Madrigal played for the Kernels as an outfielder during the 2004, 2005 and 2006 seasons.
Cael’s Collection – Jared Abruzzo (game used bat, jersey and autograph cards)
The off season is officially here for me. Our baseball stories obviously die down during the fall and winter months. I will be picking up the Cael’s Collection features to share some of the baseball cards of Cedar Rapids professional baseball players that I have picked up.
This morning’s selections are a trio of Jared Abruzzo cards. Abruzzo played in Cedar Rapids in 2001 and 2003. He was a second round draft pick out of El Capitan High School in Lakeside, California by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2000 MLB draft. Abruzzo hit .241 with 20 doubles, 10 HR and 53 RBI in 87 games for the 2001 Kernels squad before earning a promotion to Rancho Cucamonga mid-season. The 2001 Kernels finished fifth in the West Division of the Midwest League with a 60-77 record under manager Tyrone Boykin.
Jared Abruzzo returned to Cedar Rapids for the 2003 season where he hit .271 with 30 doubles, 13 HR and 73 RBI in 130 games. Abruzzo was selected to the Midwest League All-Star squad. The Kernels posted a 66-72 record under the guidance of Todd Claus to finish in fifth place in the Midwest League’s West Division.
Jared Abruzzo played his final season in the Angels organization with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Hi-A) in 2004. Abruzzo then split a season playing for the Bakersfield Blaze (Hi-A) and the Frisco RoughRiders (AA) in the Texas Rangers system. He served as a varsity assistant coach at El Capitan High School in 2012. Abruzzo coaches the East County Pirates travel-ball team as well.
I have picked up a pair of relic cards from the 2002 Bowman set and an autographed card from the 2001 Royal Rookies set of Abruzzo. The relic cards are numbered BR-JA1 and BR-JA2. The game used bat card was one of the earliest to feature a minor league player. Theses cards are usually available for $5 or less on Ebay if you are willing to wait with the bat showing up less often than the jersey card. The Royal Rookies autographed card is serial numbered 1944/6995 and also can be picked up for $5 or less delivered to your door. There is a 2001 Bowman certified autograph card of Abruzzo that I have not picked up yet, but that is about the only other relic / autograph card I have seen listed.
8 Cedar Rapids Kernels Alumni make MLB debut, 35 total MLB active players in 2012
There were eight Cedar Rapids Kernels alumni who made their MLB debut in 2012. Barret Browning, David Carpenter, Patrick Corbin, Miguel Gonzalez, Jean Segura, Tyler Skaggs, Will Smith and Andrew Taylor were among the 35 Kernels alumni who played in a MLB game in 2012. The number is down slightly from the 39 former alumni who played in a MLB game in 2011.
2012 was the fifth time there has been three Cedar Rapids professional baseball alumni players selected to the same All-Star game (2012, 2007, 1991, 1984 and 1966). Mike Napoli (2001-02), Mike trout (2009-10) and Mark Trumbo (2006-07) each made their first all-star teams. We have never had more than three appear in the same season.Here is the link to our full all-star selection list.
Here is the complete list of our alumni appearing in a MLB game with the teams they played for and the year designating the season they were in Cedar Rapids.
Alexi Amarista (2008-09) Angels & Padres
Erick Aybar (2003) Angels
Peter Bourjos (2007) Angels
Barret Browning (2007) Cardinals
Alberto Callaspo (2003) Angels
David Carpenter (2010) Angels
Bobby Cassevah (2007) Angels
Alexi Casilla (2004-05) Twins
Tyler Chatwood (2009) Rockies
Hank Conger (2007) Angels
Patrick Corbin (2010) Diamondbacks
Miguel Gonzalez (2005) Orioles
David Herndon (2007) Phillies
Kevin Jepsen (2003) Angels
Howard Kendrick (2004) Angels
Casey Kotchman (2002) Indians
Jeff Mathis (2002) Blue Jays
Mike Napoli (2001-02) Rangers
Darren O’Day (2006) Orioles
Joel Peralta (2001-02) Rays
Garrett Richards (2010) Angels
Fernando Rodriguez (2005) Astros
Sean Rodriguez (2004-05) Rays
Andrew Romine (2008) Angels
Ervin Santana (2002) Angels
Joe Saunders (2002) Diamondbacks & Orioles
Jean Segura (2010) Angels & Brewers
Tyler Skaggs (2010) Diamondbacks
Will Smith (2009) Royals
Andrew Taylor (2009) Angels
Rich Thompson (2003) Angels & Athletics
Mike Trout (2009-10) Angels
Mark Trumbo (2006-07) Angels
Jordan Walden (2008) Angels
Bobby Wilson (2004) Angels
Joe Saunders to start for Orioles tonight, Kernels alumni in the 2012 postseason
Joe Saunders (Cedar Rapids Kernels – 2002) will get the start tonight for the Baltimore Orioles as they take on the Texas Rangers and Saunders’ former battery mate Mike Napoli (Cedar Rapids Kernels 2001-02) in the first ever American League Wild Card game tonight at Rangers Ballpark. The Orioles feature two additional Kernels alumni in starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez (2005) and relief pitcher Darren O’Day (2006).
The fifth Cedar Rapids Kernels alumni who has a chance at playing baseball this October is St. Louis Cardinals reliever Barret Browning (2007). The Cardinals travel to Atlanta to take on the Braves in the first ever National League Wild Card game tonight at Turner Field.
The Baltimore Orioles traded Matt Lindstrom and cash to the Arizona Diamondbacks to acquire Joe Saunders (2002) on August 26 this season. Saunders posted a 3-3 record with a 3.63 E.R.A. in 7 starts for the Orioles. He had posted a 6-10 record with a 4.22 E.R.A. in 21 starts for Arizona prior to the trade. Saunders was acquired by the Diamondbacksalong with Patrick Corbin (2010), Tyler Skaggs (2010) and Rafael Rodriguez (2003-05) from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Dan Haren on July 25, 2010. Saunders has compiled a 78-65 career MLB record with a 4.15 E.R.A. in eight season pitching for the Angels, Diamondbacks and Orioles.
Joe Saunders was part of the 2002 Kernels team that finished 3rd with a mark of 81-58 under manager Todd Claus. The 2002 team swept Quad Cities in the opening round of the playoffs before falling to Peoria in the second round. Saunders was 3-1 with a 1.88 ERA in five starts for the Kernels. He struck out 27 batters in 28 2/3 innings of work.
Mike Napoli has hit .259 with 146 HR and 380 RBI thus far during his seven MLB seasons with the Angels and Rangers. He had a career best year in 2011, hitting .320 with 30 HR, 75 RBI and a OPS of 1.046. Napoli capped it off with a very impressive 2011 World Series where he hit .350 with 2 HR, 10 RBI and a 1.164 OPS in the seven game series. Mike Napoli is one of only two MLB catchers who have hit 20 or more HR each of the last five seasons (Brian McCann-ATL).
Mike Napoli was a member of the 2001 and 2002 Cedar Rapids Kernels teams. In 2001, the Kernels finished 60-77 under manager Tyrone Boykin. Napoli hit .232 with 5 HR and 18 RBI in 43 games for Cedar Rapids. In 2002, the Kernels posted a 81-58 mark under manager Todd Claus. Napoli hit .251 with 10 HR, 19 doubles and had 50 RBI in 103 games for Cedar Rapids in 2002.
The Orioles claimed righty reliever Darren O’Day off waivers from the Rangers last fall. O’Day, 29, had battled through injuries and posted a 0-1 record with a 5.40 E.R.A. in 2011. He joined the Rangers via an April 2009 waiver claim from the Mets. From that point through the end of the 2010 season, O’Day provided the Rangers a 1.99 ERA, 7.6 K/9, 2.2 BB/9, and 0.61 HR/9 in 117 2/3 innings. He made an appearance in four of the 2010 World Series games. Darren O’Day is 7-1 with a 2.28 E.R.A. in 69 games out of the Orioles bullpen in 2012. O’Day has struck out 69 batters in 67 innings of work. O’Day has compiled a career mark of 15-6 with a 2.73 E.R.A.
Darren O’Day posted a 3-1 mark with a 2.70 E.R.A. in 23 1/2 innings of work over 17 appearances for Cedar Rapids in 2006. The Kernels finished 65-74 under manager Bobby Magallanes in 2006.
Miguel Gonzalez signed a free agent deal with the Baltimore Orioles this past off season after being selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 2008 Rule V draft.. Gonzalez posted a 2-1 record with a save and a 1.50 E.R.A. for the Norfolk Tides (AAA) before making his MLB debut on May 25, 2012. Miguel Gonzalez had a break out 2012 season going 9-4 with a 3.25 E.R.A. in 18 games including 15 starts for the Orioles. He struck out 77 batters in 105 1/3 innings of work.
Miguel Gonzalez posted a 2-5 record with 8 saves and a 4.70 E.R.A in 28 games for the 2005 Cedar Rapids Kernels. He struck out 42 batters in 44 innings of work. Cedar Rapids finished the 2005 season with a 65-75 record under manager Bobby Magallanes.
Barret Browning was acquired by the Cardinals in the AAA phase of the Rule V draft this past off season. Browning was 2-3 with a 1.89 E.R.A. in 30 games for the Memphis Redbirds this season before making his MLB debut on June 30, 2012. He posted a 1-3 record with a 5.12 E.R.A. in 22 appearances out of the Cardinals bullpen. Browning struck out 11 in 19 1/3 innings of work.
Barret Browning posted a 9-4 record with 8 saves and a 2.80 E.R.A in 48 games for the 2007 Cedar Rapids Kernels. He struck out 74 batters in 74 innings of work in 2007. Browning made his major league debut on June 30, 2012 with the St. Louis Cardinals.
This date in Kernels alumni history – September 28, 2009 – Ervin Santana
On September 28, 2009, Ervin Santana (Cedar Rapids Kernels – 2002) pitched a complete game shutout to lead the Angels to a 11-0 victory over the Texas Rangers at Angels Stadium. Santana struck out two while allowing seven hits and one walk to earn the win.
Ervin Santana has posted a 96-79 record and a 4.30 E.R.A. during his eight year career thus far playing for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Santana was selected to the 2008 American League All-Star team and pitched a no-hitter on July 27, 2011.
Ervin Santana was a member of the Cedar Rapids Kernels squad that opened New Veterans Memorial Stadium in 2002. Santana posted a 14-8 record with a 4.16 E.R.A. in 27 starts as the Kernels finished 81-58 under manager Todd Clauss defeating Quad Cities in the opening round and then losing to Peoria in the semi finals of the Midwest League playoffs. He struck out 146 batters in 147 innings of work in 2002.
This date in Kernels history – July 28, 2006 – Darren O’Day
On July 28, 2006, Darren O’Day pitched 1 1/3 shutout innings to earn the save as the Cedar Rapids Kernels defeated the South Bend Silver Hawks 6-1. O’Day posted a 3-1 mark with a 2.70 E.R.A. in 23 1/2 innings of work over 17 appearances.The Cedar Rapids Kernels squad that finished 65-74 under manager Bobby Magallanes in 2006.
The Orioles claimed righty reliever Darren O’Day (Cedar Rapids Kernels – 2006) off waivers from the Rangers last fall. O’Day, 29, had battled through injuries and posted a 0-1 record with a 5.40 E.R.A. in 2011. He joined the Rangers via an April 2009 waiver claim from the Mets. From that point through the end of the 2010 season, O’Day provided the Rangers a 1.99 ERA, 7.6 K/9, 2.2 BB/9, and 0.61 HR/9 in 117 2/3 innings. He made an appearance in four of the 2010 World Series games.
Darren O’Day is 5-0 with a 2.97 E.R.A. in 41 games out of the Orioles bullpen in 2012. O’Day has struck out 39 batters in 39 1/3 innings of work.
Seth Dohrn
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