Former Niles High School and Michigan State University standout David Garner will begin his third season with the Chicago Cubs organization at its Class A affiliate in South Bend.

The South Bend Cubs will open the season Thursday against Bowling Green.

Garner and the Cubs will face the University of Notre Dame in a seven-inning exhibition game Tuesday at Four Winds Field. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Garner was drafted by Chicago in the seventh round of the 2013 Amateur Draft.

In his first full season in the minor leagues, Garner split time with the Boise Hawks and Kane County Cougars in 2014.

When the Cubs decided to leave Kane County and move to South Bend, Garner was excited that he might have a chance to play baseball just 11 minutes away from where he grew up.

“It would be fun,” Garner said in an interview just prior to reporting to spring training. “It would be great to have family and friends able to come watch me play. It would be crazy. I went to those games growing up.”

But South Haven is not where Garner wants to end the 2015 season.

He would like to be moved up to the Cubs’ high-A affiliate, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

“I want to continue to work my way up,” he said. “I have to keep working hard and try to move up to the next level. It is all about making it to the major leagues.”

Last season at Boise, Garner was 1-1 with an ERA of 3.60 in 12 games. In 15 innings of work, he allowed six earned runs on 15 hits with 23 strikeouts and just six walks.

At Kane County, he appeared in 10 games and was 1-0 with an ERA of 4.02. He allowed seven earned runs on 16 hits with 13 strikeouts.

Between the two teams, Garner finished the season with three saves.

Growing up near Chicago, Garner is no stranger to the Chicago Cubs and can visualize himself one day taking the mound at Wrigley Field and pitching in front of all of his family and friends.

“It would be a dream come true,” he said.

Garner spent the offseason working out, running and lifting weights. He also said he worked on some mechanical things with his throwing motion.

Garner said that staying positive is a key part of continuing to grow as a player.

“It is okay for others to doubt you, but never doubt yourself.” He said.

South Bend will host Bowling Green for three games before hitting the road to take on Dayton beginning Sunday, April 12.