Mark Johnson drew rave reviews for his handling of a young, up-and-coming group of Cubs prospects while managing the club’s Short-A affiliate at Boise (Idaho) last summer.

He expects to see many of the same players he guided to the Northwest League championship series in 2012 in his first season with the Cougars, which opens at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark on April 4.

Johnson knows there’s an advantage to familiarity, especially with many players among the group beginning their first full professional seasons. That’s why he doesn’t plan to deviate from a simple approach. The schedule is expanded and the proximity to Chicago brings a built-in challenge, but that won’t affect what Johnson stresses before each game.