Series Preview: Kane County Cougars
Hey Chiefs fans!
The Chiefs have won six in a row dating back to the end of the first half after another sweep of the Burlington Bees to begin the second half. Three games remain in the seven-game homestand with the Kane County Cougars coming to town.
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Currently sporting a 43–31 overall record, the Chiefs own the best overall mark in the Western Division and along with Cedar Rapids, they are the only remaining 4–0 team in the Western Division. Meanwhile, Kane County is off to a 1–3 start in the second half, dropping three of four to Clinton and 36–37 overall.
Former Chiefs catcher and first baseman Blake Lalli takes over the reigns as the Cougars manager this season. He wrapped up his playing career in the Diamondbacks organization last year. Lalli hit .275 with five homers and 44 RBI as a member of the Chiefs in 111 games. At Dozer Park from May 18–20, the Chiefs spoiled the homecoming and won the series, two games to one. Peoria took two of three again from the Cougars again on the road earlier in June including Paul Balestrieri’s no-hitter in the series finale on June 7.
The Kane County Cougars have been the Midwest League Affiliate of the Arizone Diamondbacks since 2015. The franchise based in Geneva, Illinois about 35 miles west of Chicago was founded in 1991.
The Cougars have always been a member of the Midwest League since their inception. From 1991–92, Kane County was affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles. Then came a long stint from 1993–2002 with the Florida Marlins. In 2003, the Oakland Athletics set up their MWL camp in Kane County until 2010. The Kansas City Royals had a brief two year affiliation from 2011–2012. After the reshuffling in 2013 when the Cubs left Peoria and Cardinals came back to town, the Northsiders were the parent club of the Cougars for two years which was a convenient location. That was short lived as in 2015, the Cubs controlled South Bend and the Arizona Diamondbacks have been with Kane County ever since.
The Chiefs are tied for the highest batting average in the Midwest League so far with Bowling Green at a .278 team mark. Kane County on the other hand is seventh in the MWL for batting average at .254. Peoria ranks tenth in the league with 45 home runs while the Cougars are 12th with 40 long balls as a club.
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The Cougars ERA has risen lately to 3.90, which is seventh in the league right behind Peoria carries at 3.84. The Chiefs as a team have struck out 608 batters which is ninth in the MWL while Kane County has the fourth most strikeouts in the league with 657.
Let’s take a look at Kane County’s top performers and prospects so far this season.
Jasrado Chisholm, INF (BA: 4, MLB Pipeline 3)
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Also known as Jazz, Chisholm is the highest ranked prospect currently with Kane County. A native of the Bahamas, he is 9-for-24 at the plate against the Chiefs this season including three homers (all at Dozer Park) and seven RBI.
In his second season with the Cougars, Chisholm is batting .250 with 11 homers, 32 RBI and 40 runs scored in 42 games. Last season, Chisholm only played 29 games after tearing his meniscus. He is rated as the best infield arm in the Arizona farm system according to Baseball America.
Jhoan Duran, RHP (BA: 21, MLB Pipeline: 16)
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Duran joined the Diamondbacks organization as an international free agent in 2015. This season is Duran’s first stint in full season ball after splitting 2017 in the Arizona League and Northwest League.
Duran is 4–2 through 10 starts with a 3.64 ERA in 47 innings. He has struck out 54 hitters and walked 16 so far this season. Duran tossed six innings with seven strikeouts in a win against the LumberKings on Sunday, June 24.
Gabriel Maciel, OF (BA: 15, MLB Pipeline: 10)
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Maciel spent his last two seasons in the Pioneer League with the Missoula Osprey. He signed with the Diamondbacks in 2015 after a stellar showing at the 18U World Cup in Japan.
The Brazil native is 6-for-21 versus the Chiefs this year including one double, one RBI and one stolen base. On the season, he’s hitting .264 in 44 games since joining the team on May 3. Maciel has hit one homer with 11 RBI, 29 runs scored and a team high eight stolen bases.
Monday 6/25: Halfway to Christmas Night- Get in the holiday spirit at Dozer Park with Christmas decorations and games plus a Teddy Bear Toss to benefit Cuddles for Kids.
Monday 6/25: Half Price Monday- Tickets are half price including $6.50 Dugout Seats, $5.50 Field Box Seats and $4.00 Lawn Seats.
Monday 6/25: Daniel Tiger appearance- Daniel Tiger from PBS is back for another night at Dozer Park presented by WTVP.
Tuesday 6/26: Splash Day- The super soakers and water balloons will be out for a special Splash Day.
Tuesday 6/26: Two-For-Tuesday- This week’s featured item is $2 ice cream sandwiches.
Wednesday 6/27: Jack Flaherty Bobblehead Giveaway- The first 1,000 fans 13 & up will receive a Jack Flaherty Bobblehead!
Wednesday 6/27: Batman Night- There will be appearances by Batman, Batgirl and Alfred appearances.
Wednesday 6/27: First Reponder Night- Join us in honoring all the First Responders that go out of their way to help out everyone in the community!
Wednesday 6/27: Bang For Your Buck Wednesday- $1 hot dogs, $1 nachos and $1 popcorn available at the concession stands.
Wednesday 6/27: Fireworks- Behold the best firework show in Central Illinois following the game.
Here’s a preview of the pitching matchups over the next three days:
Game 1- Monday (7:00 PM)
RHP Alvaro Seijas (2–3, 4.41 ERA) vs. RHP Brian Shaffer (2–5, 3.39 ERA)
Game 2- Tuesday (11:00 AM)
RHP Franyel Casadilla (0–0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Jayson McKinley (0–0, 0.00 ERA)
Game 3- Wednesday (7:00 PM)
RHP Johan Oviedo (3–6, 5.43 ERA) vs. LHP Mack Lemieux (2–5, 4.39 ERA)
We look forward to seeing you out at Dozer Park over the next three days. If you can’t make it, catch the “Voice of the Chiefs” Nathan Baliva with the call of all three games on peoriachiefs.com/listenlive and the TuneIn app and on MiLB.TV. Thanks for reading!