2025 Cedar Rapids Kernels Coaching Staff Announced
Cedar Rapids, IA - In conjunction with the Minnesota Twins, the Cedar Rapids Kernels are pleased to announce the Kernels 2025 coaching staff. Manager Brian Meyer joins the Kernels for his first season at the helm in Cedar Rapids, replacing Brian Dinkelman who managed the Kernels each of the last
Cedar Rapids, IA - In conjunction with the Minnesota Twins, the Cedar Rapids Kernels are pleased to announce the Kernels 2025 coaching staff. Manager Brian Meyer joins the Kernels for his first season at the helm in Cedar Rapids, replacing Brian Dinkelman who managed the Kernels each of the last five seasons. Joining him are fellow newcomers to Cedar Rapids, Pitching Coach Hunter Townsend, Hitting and Development Coach Julian Gonzalez, Lead Athletic Trainer Taylor Carpenter, Assistant Athletic Trainer Morgan Leichtenberger and Fellow, Baseball Technology Marcus Hill. Pitching Coach Argenis Angulo and Hitting Coach CJ Baker return for their second season in Cedar Rapids, while Strength & Conditioning Coach Blake Kretovics is back for his third season with the Kernels.
Manager Brian Meyer (1st Season) - 2022 Florida State League Manager of the Year Brian Meyer joins the Kernels as manager in 2025 after spending the last four seasons in that same role with single-A Fort Myers. In his four seasons with the Mighty Mussels, Meyer posted an overall record of 262-236 (.526), finishing over .500 every year while leading Fort Myers to an FSL West Division title and a playoff berth in 2022. A native of North Royalton, Ohio, Meyer played second base for three seasons at Otterbein College before beginning his coaching career as the school’s hitting coach in 2007. After three years with the Cardinals, Meyer made the jump to Division One as an assistant coach at Wright State for two seasons, followed by a five-year stint as the Director of baseball operations at Tulane and three seasons as an assistant coach at Butler. In 2020, Meyer joined the Twins organization as the hitting coach for the Mighty Mussels before the cancellation of the season, and in 2021, he was named manager. Meyer takes the reins from Brian Dinkelman, who managed the Kernels each of the last five seasons, finishing his time in Cedar Rapids with 364 wins, the most in modern franchise history.
Pitching Coach Argenis Angulo (2nd Season) - Pitching Coach Argenis Angulo returns to the Kernels for his second season in Cedar Rapids in 2025. Born in Araure, Venezuela, Angulo was drafted by Cleveland in the 19th round of the 2014 MLB draft. The right-handed pitcher spent time in the Cleveland and Oakland organizations before closing out his career in 2022 with the Twins AA affiliate, the Wichita Wind Surge. Following his retirement from professional baseball, Angulo spent 2023 as the pitching coach for the FCL Twins and last season oversaw a Kernels staff that included Zebby Matthews, who was named Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
Pitching Coach Hunter Townsend (1st Season) - Pitching Coach Hunter Townsend joins the Kernels for his first season in Cedar Rapids and first in professional baseball in 2025. Originally from Houston, Texas, Townsend joins the Kernels and the Twins organization after spending the last three years as a pitching performance coach at Tread Athletics. As a player, Townsend pitched four seasons at the University of Charleston in Charleston, West Virginia, before playing his graduate season at East Tennessee State in 2021.
Hitting Coach CJ Baker (2nd Season) - CJ Baker returns to the Kernels staff for his second season in Cedar Rapids in 2025. Last season, his first in professional baseball, Baker led a Kernels lineup that led the Midwest League in slugging percentage, doubles and total bases while finishing in second in home runs and OPS. Before joining the Twins organization, Baker logged nine years of collegiate coaching experience, most recently as the Video, Technology and Analytics Coordinator for two seasons at Stanford University in 2022 and 2023. Before his time in Palo Alto, Baker also made coaching stops at Bucknell University, Lock Haven University and Seattle University.
Hitting and Development Coach Julian Gonzalez (1st Season) - Hitting and Development Coach Julian Gonzalez joins the Kernels for his first season with Cedar Rapids and the Twins organization in 2025. The Florida native brings three years of professional coaching experience after spending the last three seasons as a MiLB hitting coach in the Orioles system. With Baltimore, Gonzalez spent 2022 and 2023 as the hitting coach for the DSL Orioles before making the jump to hitting coach for the FSL Orioles in 2024. With a coaching career that dates back to his college days, Gonzalez got his start as a student assistant with the North Florida University softball team in 2016 before coaching both baseball and softball at the high school level prior to his jump to professional baseball in 2022.
Strength & Conditioning Coach Blake Kretovics (3rd Season) - The lone returning Kernels staff member from the 2023 Midwest League Championship team, Strength and Conditioning Coach Blake Kretovics returns for his third season in Cedar Rapids in 2025. As a native of New Richmond, Wisconsin, Kretovics played college baseball at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, where he studied Exercise Science, Strength and Conditioning. Kretovics also has experience working with the Twins and at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.
Lead Athletic Trainer Taylor Carpenter (1st Season) - Lead Athletic Trainer Taylor Carpenter joins the Kernels for her fourth season with the Twins and first in Cedar Rapids in 2025. The Wisconsin native returns to the Midwest after spending each of the last two seasons as an assistant athletic trainer under head trainer Ben Myers with triple-A St. Paul. Carpenter started in the Twins organization in 2022 as the assistant athletic trainer with AA Wichita. Originally from Clintonville, Wisconsin, Carpenter earned a degree in Athletic Training from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in 2018 and began her career in athletic training at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Assistant Athletic Trainer Morgan Leichtenberger (1st Season) - Assistant Athletic Trainer Morgan Leichtenberger joins the Kernels in her third season with the Twins organization and first in Cedar Rapids. After joining the Twins in 2022, Leichtenberger served as an assistant athletic trainer for the FCL Twins in her first season in 2023 and held that same role with single-A Fort Myers in 2024. Leichtenberger earned a degree in athletic training from Penn State University in 2020 and a master's from A.T. Still University in 2022. She began in professional baseball as an Athletic Training intern with the Diamondbacks in 2019 and also served as an Athletic Training Associate with the Dodgers in 2022.
Fellow, Baseball Technology Marcus Hill (1st Season) - Baseball Technology Fellow Marcus Hill joins the Kernels for his second season in the Twins organization in 2025. A native of Southlake, Texas, Hill enjoyed a three-year playing career as an outfielder at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky, graduating with a degree in Marketing in 2021. Hill got his start in professional baseball as a Minor League Video Assistant with the Rockies in the 2022 season and spent last season as a part of the Twins baseball technology staff.
The Kernels Opening Night for 2025 is Tuesday, April 8th, at 6:35 PM vs. Beloit. Single-game tickets go on sale on Tuesday, March 11th. Season tickets, coupon books, and group outing bookings are available now. Visit Kernels.com or call 319-363-3887.
To keep up to date on information regarding the Kernels 2025 season, follow our Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube pages or subscribe to our e-mail newsletter.
Cedar Rapids Kernels Release 2025 Promotions! Tickets on Sale Now!
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA — The Cedar Rapids Kernels are rolling out their boldest promotional lineup ever for the 2025 season, featuring 8 premium giveaways, 17 theme games with specialty jerseys, 11 fireworks shows, and exciting daily promotions. Fans can look forward to new attractions like Bluey Day and returning favorites
Kernels to Host 2025 Job Fair March 19 & 22
The Cedar Rapids Kernels will host their spring job fair for seasonal part-time positions. The two-day job fair will be on Wednesday, March 19th at Veterans Memorial Stadium from 4:00-7:00 PM and on Saturday, March 22nd at Veterans Memorial Stadium from 9am-12pm. Interested candidates can complete the application at the
2025 Nick Adenhart Memorial Scholarship Now Open
Cedar Rapids, IA – The Cedar Rapids Kernels and Kernels Foundation are pleased to announce the 2025 Nick Adenhart Memorial Scholarship Application is now open. Nick's family and the Kernels Foundation would like to honor him by awarding two $1000 scholarships in his memory. The Kernels Foundation is privileged to
CEO of Cedar Rapids Ball Club Announces Retirement
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (23 December 2024) – The Cedar Rapids Baseball Club (CRBC), owners of both the Cedar Rapid Kernels and the Waterloo Bucks baseball teams announce plans for the retirement of CRBC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Doug Nelson. “It has been an honor to be part of the Cedar
IHSAA 3A and 4A State Baseball Tournament to Return to Cedar Rapids in 2026
Cedar Rapids, IA - The IHSAA Class 3A and 4A State Baseball Tournament will be held at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids for 2026, 2027, and 2028. The Kernels also hosted the 2024 IHSAA 3A and 4A State Baseball Tournament. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host
Wisconsin Routs Cedar Rapids 10-3, Kernels Finish the 2024 Season 67-63
Cedar Rapids, IA - Wisconsin scored three times in the top of the first inning and never looked back, taking the season finale over the Kernels 10-3 Sunday afternoon. After not scoring a run in the Cedar Rapids win on Saturday, Wisconsin did not waste time getting on the scoreboard
Prielipp, Castro Dominate, Kernels Blow it Open Late in 11-0 Win Over Wisconsin
Cedar Rapids, IA - Connor Prielipp and Ricky Castro combined to produce the Kernels sixth shutout of the year, while the offense scored ten runs in the eighth as Cedar Rapids blew out Wisconsin 11-0 Saturday night. In a game that began as a pitchers' duel, Connor Prielipp made his
Rudy Shines, Timber Rattlers Top Kernels 3-2
Cedar Rapids, IA - Wisconsin starter Will Rudy did not allow a run across six innings of work, earning the win as the Timber Rattlers topped the Kernels 3-2 Friday night. After the Kernels struck first in each of the first three games of the series, Wisconsin got on the
Kernels Take Down Timber Rattlers 5-3, Clinch 11th Consecutive Over .500 Season
Cedar Rapids, IA - Cedar Rapids took a 5-0 lead it would never lose Thursday night as the Kernels topped Wisconsin 5-3, clinching a better than .500 record on the year for the 11th straight season. After Cedar Rapids opened a 3-0 lead in the win on Wednesday, the Kernels
Gonzalez the Hero, Kernels Walk-Off Wisconsin 4-3
Cedar Rapids, IA - With two outs in the top of the tenth inning, Gabriel Gonzalez lifted a double to left, plating the game-winning run to lift the Kernels over the Timber Rattlers 4-3 Wednesday night. After scoring just one run in the series opener on Tuesday, the Kernels offense
Timber Rattlers Top Kernels in a Pitcher’s Duel 2-1
Cedar Rapids, IA - Felix Valerio’s eighth-inning two-run home run gave Wisconsin just enough offense as the Timber Rattlers eked out a 2-1 win over the Kernels Tuesday night. In his final start with the Kernels this season, Ty Langenberg was great to begin the night on the mound. Langenberg
Captains Top Kernels in Series Finale 6-3
Eastlake, OH - Lake County struck for three home runs as the Captains knocked off the Kernels 6-3 in the series finale Sunday afternoon. After a walk-off win on Saturday, the Captains got on the board first to begin Sunday. To begin the top of the third, Jonah Advincula singled,
Rivas the Hero, Captains Walk-Off Kernels 4-3
Eastlake, OH - In a tied game with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth, Kevin Rivas lined a single into left field, lifting the Captains to a 4-3 walk-off win over Cedar Rapids Saturday night. In game five of the set, Cedar Rapids got on the board
Lake County Scores Six Times in the Third, Captains Top Kernels 7-4
Eastlake, OH - Lake County broke a 1-1 tie with six runs in the bottom of the third inning and never looked back in a 7-4 win over Cedar Rapids Friday night. After back-to-back Kernels wins, Lake County got on the board first on Friday. Angel Genao opened the bottom
Kernels Score Four Unanswered, Knock Off Lake County 5-2
Eastlake, OH - After falling behind 2-1 in the first inning, the Kernels scored the game’s final four runs as Cedar Rapids topped Lake County for the second straight night, 5-2. After opening a 7-0 lead in the win on Wednesday, the Kernels again jumped on top first on Thursday.
Clayton Homers, Langenberg Dominates, Kernels Top Captains 7-5
Eastlake, OH - Matthew Clayton blasted a grand slam, and Ty Langenberg notched six scoreless innings as the Kernels opened a 7-0 lead they would never lose in a 7-5 win over Lake County Wednesday afternoon. After falling behind early in the loss on Tuesday, the Kernels climbed on the
Dragons Lead Wire-to-Wire, Top Kernels 7-2
Dayton, OH - Dayton scored three times in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back Sunday afternoon, topping the Kernels for the fifth time in the set, 7-2. After the Kernels opened up a 3-0 lead on Saturday, it was the Dragons that hopped on the board
Kernels Score Three in the Tenth, Down Dayton 7-4
Dayton, OH - Walker Jenkins delivered a go-ahead RBI double, and Nate Baez put the game away with a two-run home run in the tenth inning as the Kernels grabbed their first win in Dayton, 7-4 in ten innings. After falling behind 7-0 in the loss Friday, the Kernels flipped
Collier Slugs Three Home Runs, Dragons Top Kernels 11-4
Dayton, OH - Dayton Third Baseman Cam Collier blasted three home runs as the Dragons powered past the Kernels 11-4 Friday night. After a walk-off win in game three of the series on Thursday, it didn’t take long for the Dragons to hop on the board on Friday. In the
Kernels Comeback Falls Short, Dayton Walks-Off Cedar Rapids 5-4
Dayton, OH - With one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Hector Rodriguez delivered a walk-off single, plating Carter Graham as the Dragons grabbed their third straight win over the Kernels, 5-4. After Cedar Rapids scored early on Wednesday, it was Dayton that flipped the script and jumped
Cespedes Homers and Collects Three Hits, But Kernels Fall in Dayton 4-3
Dayton, OH - Rubel Cespedes crushed his 12th home run of the year as part of a three-hit night, but it was not enough as the Dragons grabbed game two of the series over Cedar Rapids 4-3. Cespedes got his big night started right away in the top of the
Dayton Scores Four Times in the Fifth, Tops Cedar Rapids 4-1
Dayton, OH - The Dragons broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth with four straight singles that turned into four runs as Dayton took game one of the series over Cedar Rapids 4-1. Cedar Rapids starter Rick Castro and Dayton starter T.J. Sikkema began Tuesday evening in
Cedar Rapids Pitching Leads Kernels Past Cubs 4-1
Cedar Rapids, IA - Jeremy Lee and Spencer Bengard combined to not allow an earned run across the first eight innings Sunday afternoon as the Kernels grabbed the series finale over South Bend 4-1. For the first time in the series, Cedar Rapids scored first. In the bottom of the
Klein, Gonzalez Lead Kernels Past Cubs 6-3
Cedar Rapids, IA - John Klein did not allow a run across five innings of work out of the Cedar Rapids bullpen and Gabriel Gonzalez collected two run-scoring doubles as the Kernels grabbed a 6-3 win over South Bend Saturday night. After a resounding 15-2 win on Friday, the Cubs