Kane County Cougars

Kane County Cougars
Logo Cap insignia
Information
League	American Association of Professional Baseball (2021–present) (East Division)
Location	Geneva, Illinois
Ballpark	Northwestern Medicine Field (1991–present)
Founded	1991
Nickname(s)	Kane County Cougars (1991–present)
League championships	4 2001 2014 2024 2025
Division championships	7 2001 2004 2006 2014 2019 2024 2025
Former league(s)	Midwest League (1991–2020)
Colors	Navy blue, tan, bright green
Ownership	REV Entertainment
General manager	Curtis Haug
Manager	George Tsamis
Website	kccougars.com

Kane County Cougars, playing the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Fox Cities Stadium on June 9, 2006

Kane County Cougars (white), playing the Kansas City Monarchs (red) at Northwestern Medicine Field on August 6, 2022

The Kane County Cougars are a professional baseball team located in Geneva, Illinois, and are members of the American Association of Professional Baseball, an official Partner League of Major League Baseball (MLB). ^[1] They play their home games at Northwestern Medicine Field. From 1991 to 2020, they were members of Minor League Baseball's Midwest League.

History

The Midwest League came to Kane County in 1991 when the Wausau Timbers relocated to Geneva, IL. The Wausau (1975–1990) Midwest League franchise was previously based in Decatur, Illinois (1952–1974). ^[2] The team has been known as the Cougars since moving to Kane County. They were affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles in 1991 and 1992, with the Florida Marlins from 1993 to 2002, the Oakland Athletics from 2003 until 2010, the Kansas City Royals for the 2011 and 2012 seasons, and the Chicago Cubs for the 2013 and 2014 seasons before affiliating with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015. ^[3]

As a Marlins farm team, some key contributors to the 2003 World Series championship team played in Kane County on their way to the big leagues. Miguel Cabrera has had a notable career and 2003 Series MVP Josh Beckett played for the Cougars in 2000, while Dontrelle Willis had the league's best winning percentage and earned run average in 2002.

The Cougars play their home games at Northwestern Medicine Field, ^[4] built in 1991. The franchise attendance record of 523,222 was set in 2001. The Cougars are perennially among the league leaders in attendance. On July 20, 2013, the Cougars became the first Class A team to attract 10 million fans. ^[5] Nancy Faust, after 40 years with the Chicago White Sox, was the stadium organist for selected Cougar home games until her retirement after the 2015 season.

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cougars' season was cancelled along with the rest of Minor League Baseball. ^[6] Later that year, the team was cut from the Midwest League and affiliated baseball as part of Major League Baseball's reorganization of the minor leagues. ^[7] The team considered becoming a member of the MLB Draft League before joining the American Association, an independent MLB Partner League. ^{[8] [9] [10]}

The team won their first American Association Miles Wolff Cup Final in 2024, having gone undefeated in the playoffs. ^[11] Following their 2024 championship, the team was invited to participate in the 2025 Baseball Champions League Americas tournament. ^{[12] [13]}

In March 2025, the team was sold by Dr. Bob and Cheryl Froehlich to REV Entertainment. ^[14] In 2025 despite having a record under 500, the Cougars were able to defend their title going back-to-back for the first time in franchise history.

The team has led the American Association in attendance since joining in 2021, ^{[15] [16] [17] [18] [19]} and led all MLB Partner Leagues in 2022. ^[20]

American Association season-by-season record

Kane County Cougars
Season	League	Division	Overall	Win %	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
2021	AA	North	44–55	.444	5th	George Tsamis	Did not qualify
2022	AA	East	54–46	.540	2nd	George Tsamis	Lost East Division series (Cleburne) 1–2
2023	AA	East	49–51	.490	3rd	George Tsamis	Lost East Division series (Milwaukee) 1–2
2024	AA	East	55–45	.550	2nd	George Tsamis	Won East Division series (Lake Country) 2–0 Won East Division championship series (Chicago) 2–0 Won Wolff Cup Finals (Winnipeg) 3–0
2025	AA	East	49-51	.490	3rd	George Tsamis	Won East Division series (Milwaukee) 2–1 Won East Division championship series (Chicago) 3–2 Won Wolff Cup Finals (Sioux Falls) 3-2
Totals			251–248	.503	—	—	9–4 (.692)not including 2025

Playoffs

Kane County Cougars of the Midwest League
Season	Quarterfinals	Semifinals	Finals
1991	-	L, 2–0, Madison	-
1992	-	-	-
1993	-	-	-
1994	-	-	-
1995	L, 2–1, West Michigan	-	-
1996	-	-	-
1997	W, 2–0, Wisconsin	W, 2–0, Cedar Rapids	L, 3–2, Lansing
1998	-	-	-
1999	W, 2–1, Quad Cities	L, 2–0, Burlington	-
2000	L, 2–1, Wisconsin	-	-
2001	W, 2–0, Beloit	W, 2–0, Wisconsin	W, 1–0, South Bend
2002	-	-	-
2003	L, 2–1, Clinton	-	-
2004	W, 2–1, Peoria	W, 2–0, Clinton	L, 3–2, West Michigan
2005	-	-	-
2006	W, 2–1, Quad Cities	W, 2–0, Beloit	L, 3–1, West Michigan
2007	-	-	-
2008	L, 2–0, Burlington	-	-
2009	L, 2–0, Burlington	-	-
2010	W, 2–1, Quad Cities	L, 2–1, Clinton	-
2011	W, 2–1, Burlington	L, 2–0, Quad Cities	-
2012	L, 2–0, Fort Wayne	-	-
2013	-	-	-
2014	W, 2–0, Wisconsin	W, 2–0, Cedar Rapids	W, 3–0, Lake County
2015	L, 2–0, Peoria	-	-
2016	-	-	-
2017	L, 2–0, Cedar Rapids	-	-
2018	-	-	-
2019	L, 2–0, Clinton	-	-
Kane County Cougars of the American Association of Professional Baseball
2021	-	-	-
2022	L, 2–1 Cleburne	-	-
2023	L, 2–1 Milwaukee	-	-
2024	W, 2–0 Lake Country	W, 2–0 Chicago	W, 3–0 Winnipeg
2025	W, 2–1 Milwaukee	W, 3–2 Chicago	W, 3–2 Sioux Falls

Mascots

The team's mascots are Ozzie T. Cougar and his sister Annie T. Cougar. ^{[21] [22]}

Roster

Kane County Cougars roster

• v
• t
• e

Active roster				Coaches/Other
Pitchers 33 Konnor Ash 11 Tyler Beardsley ‡ 36 Casey Crosby 12 Jack Fox 25 Jake Gozzo 24 John Kelly ‡ 15 Jordan Martinson 10 Chris Mazza 18 Westin Muir 30 Logan Nissen 16 Dom Stagliano 13 Jake Stevenson 47 Vin Timpanelli 19 Zach Veen		Catchers  6 Nick Dalesandro 20 Oscar Santos Infielders  7 Josh Allen  2 Andy Armstrong 17 Marcus Chiu  4 Claudio Finol  9 Todd Lott  3 Zane Spinn Outfielders  5 Trendon Craig 14 Robby Martin 21 Alex McGarry 1 Blake Rutherford  8 Armond Upshaw		Manager 22 George Tsamis Coaches    Scott Ellis (trainer) 33 David Holmberg (pitching)    Austin Jankowiak (clubhouse manager) 24 Brett Phillips (hitting) Disabled list ‡ Inactive list § Suspended list Roster  updated September 17, 2025 Transactions

Notable alumni

Notable franchise alumni include: ^[23]

Name	Years played for Cougars	Year of MLB debut	Notable Accomplishments
Casey Crosby	2025–present	2012
Blake Rutherford	2025–present	2023
Robby Martin	2025–present
Brett Phillips	2025	2017
Chris Mazza	2025–present	2019
Hayden Dunhurst	2024–25
Greg Mahle	2024	2016
Héctor Sánchez	2023	2011	2012 World Series Champion
James Reeves
T.J. Bennett
Pete Kozma		2011	2011 World Series Champion
Cornelius Randolph	2022–24		10th overall pick of the 2015 MLB Draft, 2024 Miles Wolff Cup MVP
Mitch Nay	2022
Nick Franklin		2013
Mike Morin		2014
Steve Lombardozzi Jr.		2011
Sherman Johnson		2018
Jack Anderson
Bryce Brentz		2014
Ryan Tapani
Vance Worley	2021–22	2010
Josh Tols	2021
Kacy Clemens
Jake Cosart
Anfernee Seymour
Blaze Alexander	2019	2024
Levi Kelly
Luis Frías		2021
Kristian Robinson
Dominic Fletcher		2023
Buddy Kennedy		2022
José Cuas		2022
Alek Thomas		2022	2019 Midwest League MVP
Geraldo Perdomo		2021
José Caballero	2018	2023
Jhoan Durán		2022
Matt Peacock		2021
José Herrera	2017–19	2022
Jazz Chisholm Jr.	2017–18	2020
Carlos Bustamante
Tommy Eveld	2017
J. J. Hoover		2012
Connor Grey			pitched perfect game against Clinton LumberKings Sep. 1
Ben DeLuzio		2022
Anfernee Grier
Riley Smith		2020
Colin Poche		2019
Kevin Ginkel		2019
Jon Duplantier		2019
Luis Alejandro Basabe	2016–18
Marcus Wilson	2016–17	2022
Sam McWilliams
Junior García
Gabe Speier	2016	2019
Yuhei Nakaushiro
Taylor Clarke		2019
Joel Payamps		2019
Alex Young		2019
Gabriel Moya		2017
Touki Toussaint	2015	2018
Wei-Chieh Huang	2015; 2017	2019
Sergio Alcántara	2015–16	2020
Ryan Burr		2018
Steve Hathaway	2015	2016
Oscar Hernández		2015	Called-up to the Diamondbacks less than one month after being promoted to the Cougars
Dawel Lugo		2018
Josh Taylor		2019
Ildemaro Vargas		2017
Michael Pérez		2018
Zac Curtis		2016	Set team record for most saves in a season (2015) at 33 [24]
Víctor Reyes		2018
Brad Keller		2018
Steven Hathaway		2016
Kyuji Fujikawa	2014	2013
Ryan Sweeney		2006
Jasvir Rakkar
Duane Underwood Jr.		2018
Jen-Ho Tseng		2017
Jacob Hannemann		2017
Paul Blackburn		2017
Víctor Caratini		2017
Mark Zagunis		2017
Zack Godley		2015
Kyle Schwarber		2015	MLB All-Star, 2016 World Series Champion
Gerardo Concepción		2016
David Bote	2013–14	2018
Pierce Johnson		2017
Jeimer Candelario		2016
Luis Valbuena	2013	2008
Trevor Gretzky
Shawn Camp		2004
Rafael Dolis		2011
Lendy Castillo		2012
Armando Rivero
Tayler Scott		2019
Dillon Maples		2017
Daniel Vogelbach		2016	MLB All-Star
Rob Zastryzny		2016
Félix Peña		2016
Willson Contreras		2016	2× MLB All-Star, 2016 World Series Champion
Albert Almora		2016	2016 World Series Champion
Marco Hernández		2016
Andrew McKirahan		2015
Scott Baker		2005
Jack López	2012	2021
Kyle Zimmer		2019
Brooks Pounders		2016	2014 No-Hitter
Jorge Bonifacio		2017
Andrew Triggs		2016
Tim Melville		2016
Scott Alexander		2015
Aaron Brooks		2014
Lane Adams	2011–12	2014
Orlando Calixte		2015
Fernando Cruz	2011	2022
Ryan Jenkins
Jason Adam		2018
Juan Graterol		2016
Yordano Ventura		2013	2015 World Series Champion
Brett Eibner		2016
Cheslor Cuthbert		2015
Sugar Ray Marimon		2015
Justin Marks	2010	2014
Bo Schultz		2014
Michael Choice		2013
Max Stassi		2013
Ian Krol		2013
Daniel Straily		2012
Murphy Smith	2009–2010	2018
Shawn Haviland	2009
Pedro Figueroa		2012
Grant Desme
Dusty Coleman		2015
Tyler Ladendorf		2015
Mickey Storey		2012
Pedro Figuero		2012
Scott Mitchinson	2008
Tyson Ross		2010	MLB All-Star
Corey Brown		2011
Jemile Weeks		2011
Travis Banwart	2007
Trevor Cahill		2009	MLB All-Star, 2016 World Series Champion
Sean Doolittle		2012	2× MLB All-Star, 2019 World Series Champion
Andrew Bailey		2009	2× MLB All-Star, 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Andrew Carignan		2011
Sam Demel		2010
Henry Rodríguez		2009
Joey Newby	2006–07
Vin Mazzaro	2006	2009
Ben Jukich
Jeff Gray		2008
Anthony Recker		2011
Justin Sellers		2011
Brad Kilby		2009
Jeff Baisley		2008	2006 Midwest League MVP, holds team record of 110 RBI in a season (2006) [24]
Cliff Pennington	2005	2008
Ryan Webb		2009
Tommy Everidge		2009
Gregorio Petit		2008
Kevin Melillo		2007
Connor Robertson		2007
Travis Buck		2007
Chris Lubanski	2004
Dallas Braden		2007	Perfect game in 2010
Huston Street		2005	2× MLB All-Star, 2005 AL Rookie of the Year
Danny Putnam		2007
Jason Windsor		2006
Marcus McBeth	2003; 2005	2007
Santiago Casilla	2003–04	2004
Dustin Majewski	2003
John Baker		2008
Joe Blanton		2004	2008 World Series Champion
Nelson Cruz		2005	7× MLB All-Star, 2019 All-MLB First Team, 2020 All-MLB Second Team, 2011 ALCS MVP, 2× Silver Slugger, 2× Edgar Martínez Award, 2014 MLB Home Run Leader, 2017 AL RBI Leader, 2020 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award, 2013 All-World Baseball Classic Team
Andre Ethier		2006	2× MLB All-Star, 2011 Gold Glove, 2009 Silver Slugger
Bill Murphy		2007
Jared Burton		2007
Shane Komine		2006
Frailyn Florián	2002
Dontrelle Willis		2003	2× MLB All-Star, 2003 World Series Champion, 2003 NL Rookie of the Year, 2005 NL Wins Leader
Jason Stokes			2002 Midwest League MVP, tied for team record with 27 home runs in a season (2002), team record of .341 batting average in a season (2002) [24]
Ronald Belisario		2009
Jeff Fulchino		2006
Eric Reed		2006
Jim Kavourias	2001
Miguel Cabrera		2003	11× MLB All-Star, 2003 World Series Champion, 2× AL MVP, 2012 Triple Crown, 7× Silver Slugger, 2× AL Hank Aaron Award, 4× AL Batting Champion, 2× AL Home Run Leader, 2× AL RBI Leader
Adrián González		2004	2001 Midwest League MVP, 5× MLB All-Star, 4× Gold Glove, 2× Silver Slugger, 2014 NL RBI Leader
Josh Willingham		2004	2012 Silver Slugger
Randy Messenger		2005
Denny Bautista		2004
Hansel Izquierdo		2002
Vladimir Núñez		1998
Chip Ambres	2000–01	2005
Kevin Hooper		2005
Josh Wilson		2005
Josh Beckett	2000	2001	3× MLB All-Star, 2× World Series Champion (2003 & 2007), 2003 World Series MVP, 2007 ALCS MVP, 2007 MLB Wins Leader
Luis Ugueto		2002
Matt Treanor	1999; 2001	2004
Nate Robertson	1999–2000	2002
Claudio Vargas	1999	2003
Jeff Bailey		2007
Chris Aguila		2004
Kevin Olsen		2001
Blaine Neal		2001
Brett Roneberg	1998–99
A. J. Burnett	1998	1999	MLB All-Star, 2009 World Series Champion, 2008 AL Strikeout Leader, 2001 No-Hitter, holds team record for most strikeouts in a season (1998) at 186 [24]
Brandon Harper		2006
Matt Erickson		2004
Jason Pearson		2002
Ross Gload		2000
Michael Tejera		1999
Gary Knotts	1997–98	2001
Héctor Almonte		1999
Geoff Duncan	1997
Scott Podsednik		2001	MLB All-Star, 2005 World Series Champion, 2004 NL Stolen Base Leader
Julio Ramírez		1999
Brent Billingsley		1999
Earl Agnoly	1996–97
Roosevelt Brown		1999
Ryan Dempster	1996	1998	2× MLB All-Star, 2013 World Series Champion
Álex González		1998	MLB All-Star, 2003 World Series Champion
Mark Kotsay		1997
Randy Winn		1998	MLB All-Star
Nate Rolison		2000
Mike Duvall		1998
Josh Booty	1995–96	1996
Amaury García		1999
Luis Castillo	1995	1996	3× MLB All-Star, 2003 World Series Champion, 3× Gold Glove, 2× NL Stolen Base Leader
Ryan Jackson		1998
Brian Meadows		1998
John Roskos		1998
Gabe González		1998
Todd Dunwoody	1994–95	1997
Brendan Kingman	1994
Antonio Alfonseca		1997	1997 World Series Champion, 2000 NL Rolaids Relief Man Award, 2000 NL Saves Leader
Félix Heredia		1996	1997 World Series Champion
Kevin Millar		1998	2004 World Series Champion
Bryan Ward		1998
David Berg		1998
Will Cunnane		1997	Holds team record of lowest ERA in a season (1994) at 1.43 [24]
Andy Larkin		1996
Billy McMillon		1996
Ralph Milliard		1996
Marc Valdes		1995
Mike Redmond	1993–94	1998	2003 World Series Champion
John Lynch	1993
Héctor Carrasco		1994
Charles Johnson		1994	2× MLB All-Star, 1997 World Series Champion, 4× Gold Glove
Édgar Rentería		1996	5× MLB All-Star, 2× World Series Champion, 2010 World Series MVP, 2× Gold Glove, 3× Silver Slugger
Chris Clapinski		1999
Vic Darensbourg		1998
Matt Whisenant		1997
Anthony Saunders		1997
Alex Ochoa	1992	1995	2002 World Series Champion
B. J. Waszgis		2000
Jimmy Haynes		1995
Rick Krivda		1995
Curtis Goodwin		1995
Scott Klingenbeck		1994
José Mercedes		1994
Scott McClain	1991–92	1998
Bobby Chouinard		1996
Clayton Byrne	1991
Joe Borowski		1995	2007 AL Saves Leader
Tom Martin		1997
Brad Pennington		1993	First Kane County Cougars player to be called-up to the MLB
Gregg Zaun		1995	1997 World Series Champion
Jim Dedrick		1995
Vaughn Eshelman		1995

Also see Category: Kane County Cougars players.

References

1. Reichard, Kevin (September 24, 2020). "American Association, Frontier League now MLB Partner Leagues". Ballpark Digest. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
2. "Register Team Encyclopedia". Archived from the original on April 3, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
3. "Cougars History". MiLB.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2019.
4. "Kane County Cougars". Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
5. "Cougars hits attendance milestone - Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune . July 22, 2013. Archived from the original on July 23, 2013.
6. Kane County Cougars. "Cougars' 2020 Season Canceled". KCCougars. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
7. "Kane County Cougars Not Invited to Remain MiLB Affiliate, Aim to Join MLB Partner League". NBC Chicago. December 9, 2020. Archived from the original on May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
8. Gregor, Scot (December 9, 2020). "Some major changes are coming for the Kane County Cougars. Here's what they are". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
9. "AMERICAN ASSOCIATION WELCOMES KANE COUNTY COUGARS AS NEW LEAGUE MEMBER". American Association of Professional Baseball (Press release). February 4, 2021. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
10. Johnson, Paul (December 9, 2020). "Kane County Cougars lose their MLB affiliation". Chicago Tribune. Aurora Beacon-News. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
11. Kranz, Jake (September 23, 2024). "American Association - The Kane County Cougars are your 2024 Wolff Cup Champions". American Association of Professional Baseball. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
12. "Groups and daily schedule announced for Baseball Champions League America 2025 in Mexico City". World Baseball Softball Confederation. January 15, 2025.
13. Krieger, Dan (December 30, 2024). "Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report". OurSportsCentral.
14. Froehlich, Bob (March 17, 2025). "A Message from Our Chairman, CEO, President and Owner, Dr. Bob Froehlich". OurSportsCentral.
15. "American Association - 2023 Attendance". Pointstreak Sports Technologies. Retrieved August 18, 2023.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
16. "American Association - 2022 Attendance". Pointstreak Sports Technologies. Retrieved August 18, 2023.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
17. "American Association - 2021 Attendance". Pointstreak Sports Technologies. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
18. "American Association - 2024 Attendance". Pointstreak Sports Technologies. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
19. "American Association - 2025 Attendance". Pointstreak Sports Technologies. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
20. Reichard, Kevin (September 20, 2022). "2022 MLB Partner League attendance by league - Ballpark Digest". Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
21. "New-Look Ozzie T. Cougar – 'Coolest Cougar' in Kane County?". Kane County Connects. February 18, 2016. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
22. "Annie T. Cougar Is Baseball Team's Newest Mascot". Suburban Chronicle. June 2, 2016. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
23. "Cougars in the MLB". Kane County Cougars. Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
24. "Records & Awards". Kane County Cougars. Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.

External links

• Official website
• Statistics from Baseball-Reference
• Statistics from Pointstreak
• REV Entertainment