Young talent ready to go at Kane County

Minor-league baseball has one desirable wish that would be anathema to virtually any other business enterprise: a high turnover rate.

"That's pretty much why we're here," said Mike Benjamin, first-year manager of the Kane County Cougars. "The team that we start the season with probably isn't going to be the team we end the season with."

The Cougars held their annual media day Tuesday at Fifth-Third Ballpark in Geneva in advance of their 26th season opener Thursday night against Clinton, Iowa.

Taylor Clarke, a Virginia native, will start the Cougars' home opener.

Alex Young has not only been tabbed to start Friday, but the Illinois product is ranked as one of the Cougars' top prospects.

The 2012 Carmel Catholic graduate was drafted in the second round by the Cougars' parent club, the Arizona Diamondbacks, after a three-year run at Texas Christian.

Young spent last season splitting duties at the Diamondbacks' two rookie leagues in Arizona and Oregon. The Hawthorn Woods resident has a wide range of pitches in his arsenal.

"I'm really comfortable throwing my off-speed," Young said. "I throw a knuckle curve. One of my buddies taught (me how to throw) it in seventh grade. A lot of (pitchers) who are here this year were at Hillsboro (Oregon) last year. We all throw strikes."

Benjamin said much will be expected of the Cougars' pitching staff, especially with the uncertainty of the early-season weather.

"From what I understand, (our success) is going to be pitching and defense," Benjamin said. "I had (Young) a little bit last year - he will find a way to beat you. His demeanor never changes."

Thirteen of the 26 players on the Cougars' opening-day roster are pitchers.

Young is particularly excited to work with first-year pitching coach Rich Sauveur, a journeyman relief pitcher who played with six different major-league teams.

"With (Sauveur) being a lefty really helps," Young said of his fellow southpaw. "I have never had one before."

Jared Miller, Jency Solis, Jose Queliz, Joe Munoz and Grant Heyman are the only players returning from last year's roster. Kane County won the second-half pennant race in the Western Division of the Midwest League last year.

"It was the third-best record in franchise history," said Kane County director of media relations Jacquie Boatman of the Cougars' 84-54 overall record last season.

There is one central concern that dictates minor-league philosophies.

"It's all based on what the big-league team needs," Benjamin said.

The Cougars have longed been renowned for innovative ways to market the team. This season will be no different.

"Some new things," Boatman said, "but a lot of things that have worked in the past."