The two-time defending American Association champion Kane County Cougars are set to travel to Mexico City next week for the third installation of the Baseball Champions League Americas tournament, with the AA announcing the Cougars roster today.
The tournament runs from March 24-29 at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu, which is hosting the tournament for the second straight year. The Cuban National Series, Mexican League, German Pomares Championship (Nicaragua) and Chinese Professional Baseball (Taiwan) will also be participating, with a scheduled Venezuelan participant dropping out.
Like the first two tournaments (held in September/October, 2023 and April, 2025), the AA’s squad will have more of their champion’s roster than anyone else, but will still have a heavy all-star team feel. Only nine members of the 2025 Cougars are on the roster, while players from eight different AA teams are making the trip, plus three more (including two Cougars signees) who weren’t even in the league last season.
Not surprisingly due to the tournament’s timing, most players are signed to return to the American Association for the 2026 season, though four players on the roster do not have an (announced) home for this upcoming season.
Position-by-position
Pitchers (12): Konnor Ash, Derrick Cherry, Kyle Crigger, Jake Dykhoff, Charlie Hasty, Brandon Komar, Jordan Martinson, Logan Nissen, Brady Puckett, Vinny Timpanelli, Zach Veen, Art Warren
The top three in this rotation is a good one. Cougars’ 2025 ace Konnor Ash is currently unsigned for 2026, but he is back to lead the way after going 10-3 with a 2.76 ERA and 132 strikeouts. Reigning AA Pitcher of the Year Jake Dykhoff (11-4, 1.63) and Crigger (7-5, 3.64) both were Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks last year (Dykhoff has re-signed), but will join the Cougars for the tournament.
Jordan Martinson, Logan Nissen, Vin Timpanelli, and Zach Veen were all key bullpen pieces for the Cougars last year and all are returning to Kane County this year. Brandon Komar pitched in the upper minors for the Reds last year, but will be a Cougar in ’26. Former AA Reliever of the Year Charlie Hasty (Sioux Falls), Brady Puckett (Milwaukee), and Derrick Cherry (Winnipeg) all pitched for other AA teams last year and re-signed with those same clubs.
Art Warren is the wild card here, as the three-year MLB vet is currently unsigned (as far as we know) and split 2025 between the Mexican League and the Atlantic League. He has never pitched in the American Association. Let’s see if he officially signs somewhere in the next few days…
Catchers (2): Juan Fernandez, Jaxx Groshans
Juan Fernandez has put in two strong years with Fargo-Moorhead, hitting .323 over two seasons with the RedHawks, while currently signed up for a third. Groshans was a 2024 Postseason All-Star in Cleburne after slashing .284/.412/.479 with 15 homers before getting some affiliated time last year, then returning to Cleburne late in the season. He is signed with Chicago for 2026.
Infielders (6): Josh Allen, Sam Dexter, Claudio Finol, Todd Lott, Elvis Peralta, Josh Rehwaldt
Josh Alle, Claudio Finol, and Todd Lott are all Cougars mainstays who are set to run it back this season. Sam Dexter played in the Atlantic League last season, but will be returning to the AA with the Cougars this season. He has six years of AA experience and played in the inaugural 2023 tournament with Fargo-Moorhead.
Josh Rehwaldt (Sioux Falls) slashed .315/.430/.531 with 16 homers and was a Postseason All-Star a season ago, while Elvis Peralta (Gary SouthShore) arguably could’ve been one too, after slashing .314/.392/.416 with 31 steals a season ago. Both are returning to their 2025 clubs.
Outfielders (5): Jabari Henry, Max Murphy, Dillon Thomas, Armond Upshaw, Ray Zuberer
Upshaw, who re-signed with the Cougars just before the roster release, is the only Cougar among this group. Max Murphy (Winnipeg) and Dillon Thomas (Fargo-Moorhead) are both suiting up for the third time in as many BCL tournaments, the only AA players to do so. Murphy, who’s served as a ringer all three times, is re-signed in Winnipeg, while Thomas (who was a member of the champion RedHawks in the 2023 edition) is currently unsigned.
Jabari Henry (Sioux Falls) is an interesting one. The AA’s home run king undoubtedly had the chance to go in both 2023 and ’25, but after nearly lifting the Canaries to the Miles Wolff Cup last year, he will switch sides for the week before returning to Sioux Falls this summer. Ray Zuberer (Lake Country), who is set to return to the DockHounds, will round out the group.
Where they played in 2025
*Player is signed for 2026
Kane County (9): Josh Allen*, Konnor Ash, Claudio Finol*, Todd Lott*, Jordan Martinson*, Logan Nissen*, Vinny Timpanelli*, Armond Upshaw*, Zach Veen*
Fargo-Moorhead (4): Kyle Crigger, Jake Dykhoff*, Juan Fernandez*, Dillon Thomas
Sioux Falls (3): Charlie Hasty*, Jabari Henry*, Josh Rehwaldt*
Winnipeg (2): Derrick Cherry*, Max Murphy*
Cleburne (1): Jaxx Groshans (signed with Chicago)
Gary SouthShore (1): Elvis Peralta*
Lake Country (1): Ray Zuberer*
Milwaukee (1): Brady Puckett*
Outside the AA (3): Sam Dexter (signed with Kane County), Brandon Komar (signed with Kane County), Art Warren
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