Tagged: Rich Thompson (2003)
Cedar Rapids Professional Baseball Alumni in the World Baseball Classic
I am beginning to try and help contribute to a local sports website called MetroSportsReport.com. The site covers a wide variety of sports in the Cedar Rapids area. They started with coverage of high school and collegiate events and now are branching out to cover the Cedar Rapids Kernels more in depth this season. Check the site out if you are interested. I will continue to post here as well as my blog posts tend to run longer than what they are looking for. I can’t help it. I tend to continue to branch out with each topic until people forget where the conversation started. Character flaw perhaps. At any rate I did some additional research into the World Baseball Classic and the Cedar Rapids professional baseball alumni who have participated in the event and here is what I came up with. Some of this content may be repeat info from previous blog posts, so I apologize in advance.
The World Baseball Classic has returned this spring for its third competition. Once again there are several Cedar Rapids professional baseball alumni coaching and competing in the event. Erick Aybar (2003), Michael Collins (2004-05), Ever Magallanes (2007), Efren Navarro (2008), Nick Pugliese (2009) and Hainley Statia (2006) each are representing their countries this year.
Nick Pugliese is playing for Italy and struck out one batter in 1 1/3 scoreless innings of work to earn the win as Italy defeated Mexico 6-5 in the opening game of pool D. Italy has advanced to the second round after defeating Canada in their second game. Pugliese posted a 3-2 record with 2 saves and a 2.52 E.R.A. in 24 games for the 2009 Kernels squad. Pugliese struck out 46 in 35 2/3 innings of work while finishing 11 games as the Kernels squad finished with a 78-60 record under manager Bill Mosiello. Pugliese pitched in the Angels minor league system until 2011. He spent the 2012 season pitching professionally in Italy.
Efren Navarro and Ever Magallanes each represented Mexico in the event this year. Mexico has been eliminated from the competition after losses to Italy and Canada despite topping the United States. Navarro was a 2008 Midwest League All-Star for the Kernels. He hit .269 with 18 doubles, 2 HR and 45 RBI in 94 games for Cedar Rapids. Navarro played for the Salt Lake Bees (Angels Triple-A) in 2012.
Ever Magallanes managed the Cedar Rapids Kernels to a 78-61 record in 2007 season. Magallanes was inducted into the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame this past winter along with Fernando Valenzuela and Houston Jimenez. Magallanes played 11 seasons for the Monterrey Sultanes, Tabasco Olmecas, and the Oaxaca Guerreros in the Mexican League. He appeared in three major league games with the Cleveland Indians making three plate appearances in 1991 earning a walk in one of them. Magallanes has been working within the Chicago White Sox organization as a manager and coach since 2009.
Erick Aybar is making his World Baseball Classic playing for the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic has earned a spot in the second round of the tournament. Aybar hit .308 with six HR, 10 triples, 57 RBI and stole 32 bases in 125 games for the 2003 Cedar Rapids Kernels. The team finished in 10th place at 66-72 under manager Todd Claus. Aybar has hit .278 with 129 doubles, 33 triples, 32 HR, 251 RBI and stole 98 bases in his seven MLB seasons with the Angels thus far. He won the American League Gold Glove at shortstop in 2011.
Michael Collins is making his third appearance in the World Baseball Classic. He coached Australia in pool B this year after playing for the team in the classic in 2009 and 2006. Collins hit .320 with 32 doubles, 7 HR, 64 RBI and stole 16 bases in 100 games during the 2005 season for the Kernels. Cedar Rapids finished the season with a 65-75 record under manager Bobby Magallanes. Collins was a member of the 2004 Kernels teams as well hitting .207 with 1 HR and 12 RBI in 33 games.
Michael Collins played baseball in the Angels organization for eight seasons (2001-08). Collins played in the Padres minor league system in 2009-10 before returning to Australia where he has played for the Canberra Calvary during the 2010 and 2011 seasons of the Australian Baseball League.
Hainley Statia is representing the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic for the third time. Statia is among a very select group to be selected to play in all three WBC competitions (2006, 2009, and 2013). Hainley Statia hit .297 with 1 HR, 31 doubles, 38 RBI and stole 23 bases in 111 games for the 2006 Kernels squad.
There have been 15 Cedar Rapids professional baseball alumni who have made a combined 23 appearances on the World Baseball Classic rosters. Here is the complete list of Cedar Rapids professional baseball alumni who have been selected to coach or play in the WBC.
2006 World Baseball Classic
Australia
Michael Collins (2004-05)
Trent Durrington (1996)
Rich Thompson (2003)
Canada
Steve Green (1998)
Aaron Guiel (1994)
Italy
Tom Gregorio (2000)
Kingdom of the Netherlands
Hainley Statia (2006)
United States
Scot Shields (1998)
2009 World Baseball Classic
Australia
Michael Collins (2004-05)
Rich Thompson (2003)
Canada
Steve Green (1998)
Dominican Republic
Luis Pujols – coach (Cedar Rapids Astros – 1974)
Kingdom of the Netherlands
Hainley Statia (2006)
Mexico
Ever Magallanes – coach (Cedar Rapids manager – 2007)
Freddy Sandoval (2005)
Panama
Kevin Ramos (2010)
United States
Scot Shields (1998)
2013 World Baseball Classic
Australia
Michael Collins – coach (2004-05)
Dominican Republic
Erick Aybar (2003)
Italy
Nick Pugliese (2009)
Kingdom of the Netherlands
Hainley Statia (2005)
Mexico
Ever Magallanes – coach (Cedar Rapids manager – 2007)
Efren Navarro (2008)
More Cedar Rapids Alumni Minor League signings
This morning’s Sean O’Sullivan (2007) to the Padres post made me realize that I had been tweeting a lot of the minor league free agent signings, but I had not been updating them here on the blog. Here is the most updated list to the best of my knowledge.
David Herndon (2007) was claimed off waivers twice this off season and then was designated for assignment by the Yankees to accompany additional roster moves. Herndon then chose to sign a minor league deal with the Yankees. He posted a 2-8 record with a 3.85 E.R.A. in 97 games for the Phillies between 2010 and 2012 appearing in just five games this season before the injury shut him down.
David Herndon posted a 13-8 record with a 4.02 E.R.A. with two complete games in 25 appearances for Cedar Rapids in 2007. Herndon struck out 83 batters in 152 1/3 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.
Darwin Perez (2009) signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics after spending seven seasons in the Angels organization. Perez hit .214 with 6 HR and 36 RBI in 126 games for the Arkansas Travelers in 2012. He won the Rawlings MiLB Gold Glove at second base in 2011.
Darwin Perez hit .261 with 2 HR, 42 RBI and stole 11 bases in 106 games for the Cedar Rapids Kernels in 2009. Cedar Rapids finished the season with a 78-60 record under manager Bill Mosiello. The Kernels topped Peoria in the first round of the Midwest League Playoffs before falling to Burlington in the semifinals.
Trevor Reckling (2008) has signed a minor league deal to join the Chicago White Sox organization. Reckling pitched in the Angels organization for six seasons. He appeared in just four games for the Inland Empire 66ers in 2012. Reckling pitched in the 2009 Futures Game for team USA and reached as high as Triple-A pitching for the Salt Lake Bees in 2010 at the age of 21.
Trevor Reckling posted a 10-7 record with a 3.37 E.R.A. with one complete game in 26 starts for Cedar Rapids in 2008. Reckling struck out 128 batters in 152 1/3 innings of work and was selected to play in the Midwest League All-Star game. Cedar Rapids finished the season with a 72-66 record under manager Keith Johnson. The Kernels topped Clinton in the first round of the Midwest League Playoffs before falling to Burlington in the semifinals.
Alberto Rosario (2008) signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox. Rosario caught within the Angels organization for the last seven seasons. He split time playing for the Arkansas Travelers and the Salt Lake Bees in 2012.
Alberto Rosario hit .239 in 14 games for the 2008 Cedar Rapids Kernels squad before being promoted to play for the the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
Hainley Statia (2006) re-signed with the Milwaukee Brewers agreeing to a minor league contract. Statia split time playing for the Huntsville Stars and the Nashville Sounds in 2012.
Hainley Statia hit .297 with 31 doubles, 1 HR, 38 RBI and stole 23 bases for the 2006 Kernels squad. Cedar Rapids finished the season with a 65-74 record under manager Bobby Magallanes.
Rich Thompson (2003) signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this week. Thompson has compiled a 3-4 record with a 4.21 E.R.A. in six MLB seasons playing for the Angels and Athletics. He has struck out 105 batters in 104 2/3 innings of work in 82 games.
Rich Thompson posted a 1-2 record with a miniscule 0.24 E.R.A. and 9 saves in 31 games for the 2003 Cedar Rapids Kernels. The team finished in 10th place at 66-72 under manager Todd Claus. Thompson played in the 2007 Futures game representing Australia on the World team.
Brandon Wood (2004) signed a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals. Wood had spent the 2012 season playing for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Rockies Triple-A) where he hit .259 with 10 HR and 64 RBI in 119 games. Brandon Wood has hit .186 with 18 HR and 64 RBI during his five MLB seasons playing for the Angels and Pirates.
Brandon Wood was a member of the 2004 Cedar Rapids Kernels team that finished with a record of 75-64 under manager Bobby Magallanes. The Kernels lost in the 1st round of the Midwest League playoffs to the Clinton Lumbkerkings. Wood hit .251 with 11 HR, 30 doubles, 64 RBI and stole 21 bases in 125 games for the Kernels. He won the Midwest League HR Derby at the 2004 MWL All-Star game hosted in Cedar Rapids.
That is all for now. I will continue to try and add these as I see them.
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
Jean Segura (2010) is 17th former Cedar Rapids Kernels player selected to the MLB Futures Game
Jean Segura (2010) has been selected to represent the Angels in the 14th annual Futures Game. There have been 17 different Cedar Rapids Kernels alumni who have been selected to the Futures Game roster. Three players were selected twice (Ramon Ortiz, Jeff Mathis and Mike Trout).
Jean Segura hit .313 with 24 doubles, 12 triples, 10 HR, 79 RBI and stole 50 bases in 130 games during the 2010 season for the Kernels. Cedar Rapids finished the season with a 82-56 record under manager Bill Mosiello. The Kernels lost to Clinton in the first round of the Midwest League Playoffs. Segura was selected to play in the Midwest League All-Star game.
Jean Segura hit .293 with 12 doubles, 4 HR, 26 RBI and stole 18 bases playing for the Tempe Angels and the Inland Empire 66ers in 2011. Segura is hitting .291 with 5 HR, 31 RBI and has stolen 27 bases in 70 games for the Arkansas Travelers in 2012.
Past Kernels Futures Game Representatives
1999 Ramon Ortiz
2000 Ramon Ortiz
2001
2002
2003 Jeff Mathis, Ervin Santana
2004 Jeff Mathis, Dallas McPherson
2005 Bobby Jenks, Brandon Wood
2006 Nick Adenhart, Howard Kendrick
2007 Freddy Sandoval, Rich Thompson
2008 Kevin Jepsen
2009 Trevor Reckling
2010 Hank Conger-MVP, Luis Jimenez, Mike Trout
2011 Tyler Skaggs, Mike Trout
27 Kernels Alumni have played a MLB game in 2012. Here is where they were drafted.
27 former Kernels have played in a major league baseball game thus far in 2012. In the spirit of the MLB draft continuing into day two, here is that list of our alumni and which round they were selected in the draft. Several of these players were signed as international free agents and were not subject to the amateur draft.
Bobby Wilson (2004) is the lowest drafted player currently active in Major League baseball to my knowledge. Wilson was selected with the Angels 48th round pick, 1,417 pick overall, of the 2002 MLB Draft.
Darren O’Day (2006) was actually passed over in the draft and the Angels signed him as an undrafted free agent. The sidearm reliever has had a great start to the 2012 season with a 3-0 record with a 1.71 E.R.A. and 0.80 W.H.I.P. out of the Orioles bullpen.
Here is the full list of our Alumni who have played in a MLB game this season as of June 5, 2012. Each was selected by the Angels in the MLB draft. the team name designates their current squad for the 2012 season.
Casey Kotchman (Indians) – 1st round 2001
Garrett Richards (Angels) – 1st round 2009
Joe Saunders (Diamondbacks) – 1st round 2002
Mike Trout (Angels) – 1st round
Tyler Chatwood (Rockies) – 2nd round
Patrick Corbin (Diamondbacks) – 2nd round
Kevin Jepsen (Angels) – 2nd round
Sean Rodriguez (Rays) – 3rd round
David Herndon (Phillies) – 5th round
Will Smith (Royals) – 7th round
David Carpenter (Angels) – 9th round
Peter Bourjos (Angels) – 10th round
Howard Kendrick (Angels) – 10th round
Jordan Walden (Angels) – 12th round
Mike Napoli (Rangers) – 17th round
Fernando Rodriguez (Astros) – 18th round
Mark Trumbo (Angels) – 18th round
Bobby Cassevah (Angels) – 34th round
Bobby Wilson (Angels) – 48th round
Darren O’Day (Orioles) – Undrafted Free Agent
International Free Agents
Alexi Amarista (Padres)
Erick Aybar (Angels)
Alberto Callaspo (Angels)
Alexi Casilla (Twins)
Joel Peralta (Rays)
Ervin Santana (Angels)
Rich Thompson (Athletics)
22 Kernels Alumni Earn Opening Day MLB Roster Spots
22 former Cedar Rapids Kernels have earned Opening Day MLB roster spots in 2012. The Angels roster features 11 Kernels Alumni. 18 of the players play in the American League and 4 National League squads have a Cedar Rapids representative. The full list is as follows:
Los Angeles Angels (11) – Alexi Amarista (2008-09), Erick Aybar (2003), Peter Bourjos (2007), Alberto Callaspo (2003), Kevin Jepsen (2003-04), Howard Kendrick (2004), Ervin Santana (2002), Rich Thompson (2003), Mark Trumbo (2006-07), Jordan Walden (2009) and Bobby Wilson (2004)
Tampa Bay Rays (2) – Joel Peralta (2001-02) and Sean Rodriguez (2004-05)
Baltimore Orioles (1) – Darren O’Day (2006)
Cleveland Indians (1) – Casey Kotchman (2002)
Minnesota Twins (1) – Alexi Casilla (2004-05)
Texas Rangers (1) – Mike Napoli (2001-02)
Toronto Blue Jays (1) – Jeff Mathis (2002)
Arizona Diamondbacks (1) – Joe Saunders (2002)
Colorado Rockies (1) – Tyler Chatwood (2009)
Houston Astros (1) – Fernado Rodriguez (2005)
Philadelphia Phillies (1) – David Herndon (2007)
Tyler Skaggs (2010) set to start Futures Game for US squad
Tyler Skaggs (2010) has been selected to be the starting pitcher for the U.S. team at the 13th annual XM All-Star Futures Game that will start tonight at Arizona’s Chase Field at 5 p.m. CST. Skaggs went 8-4 with a 3.61 ERA while striking out 82 in 82 1/3 innings of work prior to being traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of the Dan Haren deal. Skaggs is the 16th different former Kernels player to be selected to play in the Futures Game.
Mike Trout (2009-10) was also selected to play for the U.S. team but was promoted to join the Angels this past week leading up to the All-Star break. Trout would have joined Ramon Ortiz (1997) and Jeff Mathis (2002) as former Kernels who made multiple appearances at the Futures Game.
Past Kernels Futures Game Representatives
1999 Ramon Ortiz
2000 Ramon Ortiz
2001
2002
2003 Jeff Mathis, Ervin Santana
2004 Jeff Mathis, Dallas McPherson
2005 Bobby Jenks, Brandon Wood
2006 Nick Adenhart, Howard Kendrick
2007 Freddy Sandoval, Rich Thompson
2008 Kevin Jepsen
2009 Trevor Reckling
2010 Hank Conger-MVP, Luis Jimenez, Mike Trout
The Harvester – Harvesting News for Alumni Reports

Erick Aybar (2003) went 2-5 with a RBI, stole a base and scored a run in the Angels 6-4 extra inning loss to the White Sox. Alberto Callaspo (2003) was 2-4 with a RBI, Peter Bourjos (2007) went 1-4 with a triple and scored a run and Howard Kendrick (2004) was 1-4, stole a base and scored a run in the loss. Hank Conger (2007) went 0-4 and Mark Trumbo (2006-07) was 0-3.
Tyler Chatwood (2009) worked 6 1/3 innings while allowing one run to take a no-decision. Rich Thompson (2003) retired the only batter he faced for his first hold of the season. Jordan Walden (2008) took his second blown save allowing two runs in the ninth inning. Kevin Jepsen (2003-04) took the loss allowing a pair of runs in the tenth inning.
Casey Kotchman (2002) went 2-5 with a RBI in the Rays 8-2 win over the Indians.
John Lackey (2000) took the loss allowing nine runs in 6 2/3 innings of work in the Red Sox 9-3 loss to the Blue Jays.
Brandon Wood (2004) was 1-4 in the Pirates 2-0 loss to the Dodgers.
Mike Scioscia tries another off beat move, Howard Kendrick (2004) in left field – LATimes.com
Angels place Rodriguez on DL, Kevin Jepsen (2003-04) recalled from AAA – MLB.com
Peter Bourjos (2007) triples to left field – OCRegister.com
The Harvester – Harvesting News for Alumni Reports

The Kernels fell to Burlington 6-5 last night. We play game three of the the home stand tonight against the Bees at 6:35 p.m. at Perfect Game Field. Without further delay, your Harvester Links for 5/5/11:
Erick Aybar (2003) went 4-6 with a RBI, stole two bases and scored a pair of runs in the Angels 11-0 win over the Red Sox. Howard Kendrick (2004) was 3-6 with two RBI, stole a base and scored a run, Peter Bourjos (2007) went 3-4 with a double and scored four runs, Mark Trumbo (2006-07) was 1-3 with his sixth HR of the season and Alberto Callaspo (2003) went 2-5 with two RBI in the win. Jeff Mathis (2002) was 1-4 with a run scored, while Bobby Wilson (2004) and Alexi Amarista (2008-09) each were 0-1 in the game.
Rich Thompson (2003) struck out two in 1 2/3 innings of work in the Angels win.
John Lackey (2000) allowed eight runs in four innings of work in the Red Sox 11-0 loss to the Angels to fall to 2-4 on the season.
Sean Rodriguez (2004-05) went 1-4 with a double and a RBI in the Rays 3-1 win over the Blue Jays. Casey Kotchman (2002) was 1-3 with a walk in the win.
Mike Napoli (2001-02) was 0-2 with a walk in the Rangers 3-1 loss to the Mariners.
Angels hammer former ace in rout of Red Sox – MLB.com
AngelsWin.com Prospect Report May 5, 2011 – AngelsWin.com
Weary Angels batter John Lackey (2000), Red Sox – OCRegister.com
The Harvester – Harvesting News for Alumni Reports

This feature is a daily report sharing the links and news of Kernels Alumni. Previously, we updated these throughout the day on Facebook as they happened. I will be posting each morning to try and keep the links as relevant and fresh as I can. If something comes across during the day, it likely will sneak into another post. The Kernels beat Burlington 4-3 in 17 innings last night. We play game two of the the home stand tonight against the Bees at 6:35 p.m. at Perfect Game Field. Without further delay, your Harvester Links for 5/5/11:
Hank Conger (2007) went 3-4 with a double in the Angels 5-3 win over the Red Sox in 13 innings. Howard Kendrick (2004) was 2-6 with a double and scored a run, Erick Aybar (2003) went 1-4 with a double, a pair of walks, a sacrifice and stole a base, Peter Bourjos (2007) was 1-5 with a walk and scored a run, Alberto Callaspo (2003) went 0-6, Jeff Mathis (2002) was 0-1 and Alexi Amarista (2008-09) entered the game as a pinch runner.
Ervin Santana (2002) pitched four shutout innings without allowing a hit while striking out seven before a rain delay ended his outing. Rich Thompson (2003) struck out two in 1 2/3 inning of work following the delay. Jordan Walden (2008) gave up two runs in the ninth for his first blown save. Trevor Bell (2007-08) struck out three in four innings of scoreless relief to earn the win.
Alexi Casilla (2004-05) was 0-4 in the Twins 3-2 win over the White Sox.
Casey Kotchman (2002) went 0-2 with a pair of walks, scored a run and stole a base in the Rays 3-2 loss to the Blue Jays. Sean Rodriguez (2004-05) entered the game as a pinch runner.
Brandon Wood (2004) was 1-4 with a RBI in the Pirates 7-4 win over the Padres.
Facing right-hander, Mark Trumbo (2006-07) back on bench – MLB.com