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Kane County Cougars to open season with new manager, same outlook

The entry-level Kane County Cougars have been a baseball model for nurturing future Major League talent arriving in Geneva in 1991.

The Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Cougars' newest edition - headlined by first-year manager Blake Lalli, a former Cub - was introduced during media day Tuesday at Northwestern Medicine Field.

"Baseball lets you know when you're done," said Lalli, who also had brief stints with the Brewers and Braves, on the end of his playing days and beginning of a new venture in the sport. "I'm a baseball lifer."

The Cougars, who had a 72-65 overall record last year, will open against the Clinton LumberKings in a four-game home-and-away Midwest League series starting Thursday evening in Geneva.

Cedar Rapids eliminated the Cougars in first-round playoff action last fall.

Kane County will boast a 25-man roster with a heavy emphasis on pitchers.

Mack Lemieux, one of 13 hurlers, is the opening-night starter for the Cougars.

"Our pitchers all spring threw the ball well," Lalli said. "Our bullpen has been really strong. We've got a lot of weapons down there."

The Cougars have two players with ties to the state.

"I was born in Joliet," right-handed starter Kevin McCanna said. "I grew up about 45 minutes north of Houston. I want to try and move up (the system), just like everybody else. I want to give the team a chance every time I go out there."

Kane County pitcher Matt Brill is from the Quad Cities.

Brian Shaffer, a Big Ten award-winning pitcher while at Maryland, is the Diamondbacks' highest-rated prospect on the opening-day roster.

Rick Short will be responsible for the Cougars' offensive outlook as the hitting coach.

A longtime minor leaguer, Short was a prep star at Larkin High School in Elgin in the early 1990s before going on to an extensive minor league playing career.

"I don't think you'll see a set lineup," Lalli said of the Cougars' offensive outlook. "We could send five guys in the leadoff spot."

The Cougars have six players from Latin America, and an overwhelming majority of the native-born players hail from southern and western states.

"I have never had to play in this (type of climate) before," said Louisiana native Cole Stapler. "It's just mind over matter right now."

  New Kane County Cougars manager Blake Lalli talks with reporters at media day Tuesday in his office at Northwestern Medicine Field Geneva. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  New Kane County Cougars manager Blake Lalli talks with infielder Jasrodo Chisholm near the door batting cages at media day Tuesday at Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  New Kane County Cougars manager Blake Lalli talks with reporters at media day Tuesday in his office at Northwestern Medicine Field Geneva. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Kane County Cougars players work out in the outfield at media day Tuesday in Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
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