Midwest League 2001

Cedar Rapids Kernels

Post-Season Profile

CR's season had some bright spots: Joel Peralta, especially; also Zack Roper and Mike Campo. Also Johnny Raburn, until he got hurt. And for much of the summer the new ballyard was going up in the background. Except for those things, though, a dismal season at the Old Vet.

Peralta appeared in 41 games, usually pitching the ninth inning. If the Kernels had the lead when he appeared, he racked up a save; if they were trailing, he held the game close. Problem is, the Kernels didn't have a whole lot of save opportunities in 2001. Rich Fischer, Adam Pace, and Tony Arthur pitched well in the rotation (only Fischer for the full year, however). At best, the other pitchers showed potential.

The team's main affliction was an anemic offense. Zack Roper had a fine season, and Mike Campo came on strong at the end. Johnny Raburn was a strong contributer in the early season. Beyond these three, though, the Kernels were pretty weak.

Season Summary

• Second Half: 30-40, .429, 5th place tie, 11.0 behind
• First Half: 30-37, .448, 5th place, 16.5 behind
• Pitching: 60-77, 4.38, 33 saves, 1054 strikeouts
• Hitting: .251, 639 runs, 87 HR, 167 steals (67% success)
• Errors: 197 (1.44 per game)
• April: 12-10 (.545)
• May: 11-16 (.407)
• June: 10-18 (.357)
• July: 12-16 (.429)
• August: 13-16 (.448)
• September: 2-1 (.667)

• Best Player on the Team: Relief Pitcher Joel Peralta

• Best Starting Pitchers: Adam Pace (3.92, 5-6, 68 strikeouts), Rich Fischer (4.20, 9-7, 97 strikeouts), and Matt Hensley (3.64, 5-3, 63 strikeouts)
• Bullpen Stopper: Joel Peralta (2.13, 23 saves, 0-0)
• Strikeout Pitchers: Bobby Jenks, Joel Peralta, Billy Stokley, Will Morris
• Control Pitchers: Matt Hensley, Joel Peralta, Vince Lacorte, Kevin McClain, Will Morris

• Best Hitter: Zack Roper (.310, 15 HR, 87 RBI) or Mike Campo (.313, 7 HR, 46 RBI; 69 runs scored)
• Home Run Leader: Zack Roper (15)
• High Batting Average: Mike Campo (.313), Johnny Raburn (.315), Zack Roper (.310), Ryan Webb (.310)
• High On Base Percentage: Mike Campo (.419), Johnny Raburn (.467)
• High Slugging Percentage: Zack Roper (.471)
• Notable Baserunners: Mike Campo, Johnny Raburn, Zack Roper, Ryan Withey, Angel Valdez, Brian Seever, Frank Duran
• Notable Batting Eye: Johnny Raburn, Ryan Lehr

July Profile

Anaheim's farm system is embarrassed by this team; they expected better. So did everyone else.

Although there are some good pitchers on this staff, they're balanced by some very bad performers. Adam Pace is better than his record, while Rich Fischer has done well. Joel Peralta's been nearly flawless in the closer role, and is the team's clearest light.

The hitting's the same way: Excellence, and disasterous performances. The team's also been hurt by injuries, particularly to Johnny Raburn, who's the best talent on the team. Zack Roper's played well; so have Mike Campo and Ryan Webb. There's lots of speed, but the running's been a little risky.

Also worth watching: Relief Pitcher Steve Andrade.

June Profile

Another sad season for Cedar Rapids. There's some talent on this team, but there's too little to win. This franchise really needs to partner with a stronger farm system.

Zack Roper, Mike Campo, and Jared Abruzzo are fine, solid hitters. Beyond these three, there's nothing. Brandon Rogers and Johnny Raburn both played very well before their injuries.

Matt Hensley's a talented pitcher, and Rich Fischer's doing very well for a converted infielder. The rest of the rotation shows little promise. Out in the 'pen, Joel Peralta and Billy Stokley have looked pretty good, while Will Morris has the potential to dominate games.

Notable mid-season losses: Jared Abruzzo, Ryan Lehr, Matt Hensley, & Kevin McClain. Johnny Raburn is injured.

May Profile

This is a strange team. The Kernels have some excellent players at the plate and on the mound, and can win games on those players' backs. But there's no depth; when things go wrong, they go badly wrong.

This team has two excellent third basemen--Zack Roper and Ryan Lehr--and a strong hitting (but injured) catcher, Brandon Rogers. Ryan Withey, Johnny Raburn, Jared Abruzzo, and Mike Campo are valuable players. But the talent ends with these hitters; the rest of the team is in over their heads.

The pitching story is a bit different. Rich Fischer--until last season, a shortstop--is pitching well, as are Matt Hensley and Joe Torres. Joel Peralta's been terrific as the closer. The bullpen's got some promise; Vince Lacorte looks particularly interesting. The remaining starters are dangerous to the team's chances, and the record reflects that.

April Profile

As usual, Cedar Rapids starts the league's oldest lineup, despite the new management team in Anaheim. They're doing all right, so far.

Pre-Season Profile

Manager

This is Tyrone Boykin's first full season as a minor league manager.

First Round Draft Selections

• Joe Torres (2000; 10th selection)

Team Age Information

• Average Team Age: 22.2
• Pitchers: 22.0
• Hitters: 22.3

• Oldest Player on the Team: Brian Seever (born 8/18/76)
• Youngest Player on the Team: Jared Abruzzo (born 11/15/81)

The average player in the Midwest League is 21.6 years old. Average ages were calculated from the opening day roster; age as of July 1, 2001.

This website has more information about team ages.

Where they played last season

This is a brief portrait of how the team was put together. These summaries are based on the team's opening day roster and will not be revised to reflect roster changes.

This year's Cedar Rapids team is a patchwork from the entry levels in the Angels' system. Boise was Anaheim's only good farm team last year; they've got the best representation here, too.

Team          League          W/L    Place    Hitters Pitchers
                                    (Teams)
Lake Elsinore California (A+) 70/70   6(10)      1       1
Cedar Rapids  Midwest (A)     53/86  13(14)      4       5
Boise         Northwest (A-)  41/35  T1(8)       6       5
Butte         Pioneer (R)     29/47   7(8)       3       4

There was very little movement in the Angels system last season; few of these players appeared for more than one team, though one played for three. One of the Kernels played in another organization last summer; another seems not to have played professionally. None of these players appeared above Class A in 2000.