It’s official. The Kane County Cougars are now affiliated with the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs announced today the class-A minor league baseball team will be its Midwest League affiliate next season. The change ends the long-standing relationship between the Cubs and the Peoria Chiefs. Peoria will now be the Single-A team for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Teaming up with the Cubs is expected to be a huge boon for the Cougars. The 21-year-old team is based in Geneva, about an hour’s drive west of Chicago. While attendance has been good for the Cougars, a Kansas City Royals affiliate over the past few years, the proximity to the parent team is just one of the benefits, according to Cougars General manager Curtis Haug:
We believe that the Cubs organization and their philosophies about the minor leagues, including scouting, player development, and involvement in the community, are a fantastic fit for our franchise.
Opening night for the new Cubs affiliate will be April 4th at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva. The two-year agreement between the Cubs and Cougars does not change the ownership or front office staff of the minor league team.
