Baseball America Lauds Cougars Affiliate as Best Farm System In MLB
Published on January 25, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, IL - With Major League camps opening in less than three weeks and baseball on the horizon, the Kane County Cougars organization received exciting news on Tuesday afternoon as Baseball America, baseball's preeminent authority on minor league prospects, has rated the Kansas City Royals farm system as the best in all of baseball in the soon-to-be-released 2011 Prospect Handbook. The Cougars are the Class-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and announced a two-year player development contract with Kansas City last September, making for a "KC/KC" relationship and the most Midwest-centered affiliate the Cougars have held since the organization's inception in 1991. The Cougars have held past affiliations with Baltimore, Florida and Oakland.
"The Royals have one of the deepest and most talented farm systems in recent memory," said Jim Callis, Executive Editor at Baseball America. "It's unusual to see a system with three stud hitters like Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas and Wil Myers, or four quality lefties like John Lamb, Mike Montgomery, Danny Duffy and Chris Dwyer, and the Royals have both. To show how highly we regard the Royals system, we ranked it No. 1 before the Zack Greinke trade, which netted more top prospects."
Seven of the Royals' Top 10 prospects will be in Major League Spring Training camp next month in Surprise, Ariz. The group includes first baseman Eric Hosmer (ranked #1), third baseman Mike Moustakas (#3) and left-handed pitcher John Lamb (#4).
"Baseball America's recognition of our Major League affiliate is tremendous news for our front office staff to receive today, and we share the excitement with our fans in welcoming some of Kansas City's top prospects to Kane County beginning this April," said Cougars Media Relations Coordinator Shawn Touney.
The Cougars' home opener is set for Monday, April 11 and tickets for all 70 regular season games, including group outings, season tickets and packages are on sale now.
ROYAL EVENTS PLANNED FOR NEXT WEEKEND
The Cougars will be hosting a pair of events next weekend as anticipation for the 2011 season grows and the organization prepares for its first year as a new affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Cougars will host a "Meet the Royals" event on Friday, February 4 beginning at 6 p.m. inside Elfstrom Stadium's Old Second Bank upper deck level. The event will provide fans a proper introduction to Kane County's new affiliation with the Kansas City Royals, complete with a speakers series including Vance Wilson, first-year Cougars manager and former Major Leaguer, Royals Assistant GM of Scouting and Player Development J.J. Picollo, and Royals Director of Minor League Operations Scott Sharp. Royals coaches, including former Cy Young Award winner Mark Davis, are also expected to attend.
In addition to meeting some members of the Royals family, fans can enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet and complimentary draft beer. A cash bar will be available as well. Tickets are $30 for the general public and $25 for season ticket and ticket package holders. Fans can also purchase tables of 8 for $200. Table space is limited and fans are encouraged to get their tickets by visiting www.kccougars.com or by calling the Cougars at (630) 232-8811.
Also that weekend, the Cougars will be holding a free Coaches Clinic featuring professional instructors from the Cougars and Royals organizations. The clinic will take place on Saturday, February 5 from 9 a.m. until Noon inside Elfstrom Stadium's upper deck level. Attendees are asked to RSVP by calling the Cougars at (630) 232-8811 or by emailing either jhem@kanecountycougars.com or rkoskosky@kanecountycougars.com. The clinic is provided free-of-charge to participants as a community service from the Cougars organization.
Although open to the public, the clinic's purpose is to specifically instruct coaches. Therefore, the clinic is intended for adult coaches rather than youth players. Coaches are encouraged to bring video recorders and note pads for their convenience, and will have the opportunity to visit each station to learn valuable pointers in specific areas of on-field execution, practice techniques and coaching style. A complimentary continental breakfast will be provided for attendees.
A list of clinic instructors includes Vance Wilson, who will be making his coaching and managerial debut in 2011 for the Cougars. He spent eight seasons in the Major Leagues as a catcher for the New York Mets and Detroit Tigers and was part of the 2006 American League Champion Tigers squad. Mark Davis, Royals minor league pitching coordinator, will also be present. Davis enters his sixth season in the Royals organization as a coach, previously spending the 2003-2005 seasons on the Arizona Diamondbacks staff, the final year and a half as the D'Backs pitching coach. He pitched for 16 seasons in the Major Leagues and was named National League Cy Young Award winner in 1989, recording 44 saves for the San Diego Padres.
Midwest League Stories from January 25, 2011
- Baseball America Lauds Cougars Affiliate as Best Farm System In MLB - Kane County Cougars
- Timber Rattlers Looking for Anthem Singers and On-Field Hosts - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Tickets Still Available for Saturday's Hot Stove Banquet - Clinton LumberKings
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
