Jalen Miller Returning To Monarchs’ Pitching Staff

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Jalen Miller took the ball for some of the Kansas City Monarchs’ most important games last season. He’s back for 2023. 

The American Association club has re-signed Miller for the upcoming season, the Monarchs announced Monday.

A former Orioles prospect, Miller has experience in nine different professional leagues. He provided instant support to the club’s pitching staff down the stretch last season, posting a 2.52 ERA over five appearances (regular season and playoffs). 

“He made some quality starts for us at the end of last season. His changeup is a plus pitch,” Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said. “He’s a great fit for our club. We’re looking forward to seeing him pitch for a more extended period of time.”

The right-hander got the start for the Monarchs’ Game 2 victory over Lincoln in the first round of the AAPB playoffs, throwing four innings of three-run ball and striking out six. The win sent Kansas City to the division finals against Fargo-Moorhead.

Miller’s best performance came in his Monarchs debut on August 23. He tossed 4.2 no-hit innings against Winnipeg, allowing one unearned run and striking out five. 

Miller is no stranger to the Association. He played for the Chicago Dogs at the close of 2019 and during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. He earned a 3.89 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with the Dogs in 2020 despite playing home games at the hitter-friendly Impact Field. 

Born in Italy, Miller played college ball at Mineral Area College in Missouri and Central Methodist University. Undrafted out of college, he spent his first three years as a pro in the United Shore League, Frontier League, and Pacific Association. 

Miller signed with the Baltimore Orioles organization in March 2019, making five appearances for Class A Delmarva that season. He returned to partner league baseball later that year, suiting up for York in the Atlantic League before signing with the Dogs on August 4. 

In 2021, Miller returned to the Frontier League, producing a 3.06 ERA with the Sussex County Miners in 40 appearances (6 starts). He began 2022 with the Lexington Legends in the Atlantic League before arriving in Kansas City. 

Miller joins a growing Monarchs pitching staff that features four former major leaguers. View the Monarchs’ full roster here.

“We’re just putting one piece at a time together,” Calfapietra said on the staff. “We don’t know how the final roster will look, but we’re excited.” 

The Monarchs open their 2023 season on Friday, May 12, on the road. The Monarchs’ home opener is set for Friday, May 19.

About the American Association

The American Association of Professional Baseball played its first season in 2006. It is a professional partner league that is affiliated with Major League Baseball but not specifically with any one team. The league consists of 12 teams located primarily in the Midwest and the South of the United States. Its season runs from May to September and features players who are looking to showcase 3their talents for a chance to be signed by a major league team. 

About the Kansas City Monarchs

The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. This year, they are celebrating their 20th year of baseball in Kansas City, Kansas. In 2020, the team partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and changed their name from the T-Bones to the Monarchs in honor of the legendary Negro League franchise that played from 1920 to 1965. The Monarchs won ten Negro American League championships and two Negro League World Series championships in their history. The team featured numerous notable players over the years, including Hall of Famers Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson, Ernie Banks, and Buck O’Neil.

 

Slugger Adolfo, Local Pitcher Gavin Sign With Monarchs

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Kansas City Monarchs have added another power bat and an exciting local prospect to their 2023 roster.

Former White Sox prospect Micker Adolfo and Parkville native Grant Gavin have signed with the American Association club, the team announced Wednesday.

Adolfo brings more power to Monarchs’ lineup

An outfielder with a great throwing arm and plenty of pop in his bat, Adolfo was a highly-regarded prospect with the White Sox.

The 26-year-old was ranked as high as No. 8 in the club’s system by MLB.com and staying in the top 10 as recently as 2021. He originally signed with the White Sox as a 16-year-old in 2013.

“Micker’s a great person and a great talent,” said Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra. “He’s young, strong, and has power to all fields.”

The native of the Dominican Republic spent the 2022 season with Triple-A Charlotte, hitting 15 home runs and 18 doubles over 96 games. He owns a career .246/.315/.431 slash line in affiliated baseball.

Adolfo, whose first name is pronounced “MY-ker,” has long drawn praise for his work in the field, especially his throwing arm.

Born in San Pedro de Macoris, Adolfo played winter ball in his home country for Estrellas in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. He suited up for Aragua in the Venezuelan league this past winter.

Adolfo is the third position player on the Monarchs’ 2023 roster, joining outfielder Jacob Robson and first baseman Gio Brusa.

“We’ve been successful on the pitching end, but to find another high-level position player at this point in the offseason is a big help,” Calfapietra said.

Local star Gavin headed back to KC

Born in Parkville, Gavin was drafted by his hometown Royals in the 29th round in 2016 out of the University of Central Missouri.

A workhorse reliever in his affiliated career, the right-hander was in Double-A by 2018. In 2019, he threw 41 games with Double-A Northwest Arkansas, earning a 3.61 ERA and striking out 12.6 batters per nine innings. That earned him a promotion to Triple-A Omaha for the next affiliated season in 2021.

The Padres selected Gavin in the Rule 5 Draft ahead of the 2022 season. He made 46 appearances last season between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso, striking out just over 10 batters per nine innings.

Gavin is the third KC-area pitcher the Monarchs have signed this offseason.

Zach Matson, who was born in Fayetteville and went to Sherwood High School, signed on February 23. Dalton Moats, who was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, followed him to the Monarchs on February 28.

Gavin, Moats and Matson have all reached Triple-A in their affiliated careers. Calfapietra says their shared experiences will help them form a bond in the clubhouse.

“When you get guys at the same level, that always helps,” Calfapietra said. “When you get guys from the same city, that connection is even deeper. They mesh, because they’ve not only played with each other, but they’ve had similar experiences.”

The club opens its season on Friday, May 12, on the road. The Monarchs’ home opener is set for Friday, May 19.

About the American Association

The American Association of Professional Baseball played its first season in 2006. It is a professional partner league that is affiliated with Major League Baseball but not specifically with any one team. The league consists of 12 teams located primarily in the Midwest and the South of the United States. Its season runs from May to September and features players who are looking to showcase their talents for a chance to be signed by a major league team.

About the Kansas City Monarchs

The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. This year, they are celebrating their 20th year of baseball in Kansas City, Kansas. In 2020, the team partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and changed their name from the T-Bones to the Monarchs in honor of the legendary Negro League franchise that played from 1920 to 1965. The Monarchs won ten Negro American League championships and two Negro League World Series championships in their history. The team featured numerous notable players over the years, including Hall of Famers Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson, Ernie Banks, and Buck O’Neil.

Weigel Brings Big-League Mindset To Monarchs’ Bullpen

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PHOTO: Jeff Halstead / Tacoma Rainiers

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Patrick Weigel’s competitive mindset propelled him to the major leagues. Now he’s ready to take his talents to the Kansas City Monarchs. 

The former Braves and Brewers right-hander has signed with the American Association team and is set to pitch out of the Monarchs’ bullpen, the club announced Friday. 

“I love competition. That’s why I fell in love with pitching,” Weigel said. “It’s just you and the ball out there, and you’ve got to figure it out.”

The Ventura, California native is the latest former major leaguer to join the Monarchs’ roster. Five big leaguers are set to take the field for Kansas City in 2023. 

 

Weigel (pronounced WHY-gull) said he’d heard “nothing but great things” about the Monarchs, including their success on the field. The club has won three straight division titles, minus the 2020 season where they did not compete due to COVID.

His arsenal features a two-seam fastball and a slider. He’s also introducing a cutter to his repertoire, which he says will help him consistently get ahead in counts.

“I think that’s going to be a big pitch for me going forward,” Weigel said.

The righty is also excited to reunite with a college teammate: Gio Brusa, an AAPB All-Star who re-signed with the Monarchs on March 2. Weigel was teammates with Brusa in 2013 at the University of the Pacific.

 

Weigel spent one year at Pacific before heading to Oxnard College for his sophomore campaign. The Brewers drafted Weigel in the 22nd round out of Oxnard in 2014, but he stayed in college and played his junior year at the University of Houston. He joined the Braves as a seventh-round draft pick in 2015. 

He rose to Triple-A in the Braves’ system in 2017, but an elbow injury cut his season short and claimed most of his 2018 campaign. Weigel was back in Triple-A in 2019, and made his MLB debut with Atlanta in the shortened 2020 season. 

Weigel was traded to Milwaukee in April of 2021, making three appearances for the big club that year. He’s posted nine strikeouts in four major-league games. His career ERA in affiliated baseball sits at 3.67. 

A reliever in college, Weigel started his affiliated career in the rotation before moving back to the bullpen in 2019. He intends to remain a reliever in Kansas City. 

The Monarchs open their season on the road on Friday, May 12. The club’s home opener is set for Friday, May 19. 

About the American Association

The American Association of Professional Baseball played its first season in 2006. It is a professional partner league that is affiliated with Major League Baseball but not specifically with any one team. The league consists of 12 teams located primarily in the Midwest and the South of the United States. Its season runs from May to September and features players who are looking to showcase their talents for a chance to be signed by a major league team.

About the Kansas City Monarchs

The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. This year, they are celebrating their 20th year of baseball in Kansas City, Kansas. In 2020, the team partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and changed their name from the T-Bones to the Monarchs in honor of the legendary Negro League franchise that played from 1920 to 1965. The Monarchs won ten Negro American League championships and two Negro League World Series championships in their history. The team featured numerous notable players over the years, including Hall of Famers Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson, Ernie Banks, and Buck O’Neil.

 

Singer Continues Remarkable Journey With Monarchs

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PHOTO: Ian D’Andrea / CC BY SA 2.0

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — He’s journeyed from going undrafted to the major leagues, and he’s not done yet. 

Former Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Jeff Singer has signed with the Kansas City Monarchs, the club announced Wednesday. 

The 29-year-old joins the American Association club after a remarkable path to the highest level of baseball. Undrafted out of college, Singer made his pro debut in the independent Atlantic League in 2015. He caught on with the Phillies organization the following season and rose through the ranks. In April 2022, the South Jersey native was called up to his hometown team. 

Singer attributes his success to a simple mantra: “Be comfortable being uncomfortable.” 

“I was thrown into a lot of tough situations, situations where I was probably expected to fail, and I was able to overcome some of them,” Singer said. “There’s a lot of things, especially in baseball, that you can’t control. So you’ve got to throw the un-controllables away.”

Four former major leaguers are now on the Monarchs’ 2023 roster. The others include outfielder Jacob Robson (Detroit, 2021) and pitchers Ryan Castellani (Colorado 2020, Oakland 2021 and 2022) and Carlos Sanabria (Houston, 2020).

Singer heard about the Monarchs from Matt Hartman, himself an AAPB All-Star with Kansas City last season. The two were teammates in winter ball. Singer says he’s looking forward to playing in front of “a really good fan base” in Kansas City. 

“There’s no one coming from the lower levels; there’s no one from the upper levels coming down. That’s their team,” Singer said of the fans in the American Association. “I’m excited for that type of baseball.”

Singer was a starter in college, but moved to the bullpen after signing with the Phillies organization. He looks to return to a starting role in 2023. 

“I’m really excited to build my conditioning back up and be able to compete and get us into the seventh, eighth inning of games,” Singer said. “I’m excited to accept that challenge of trying to win a starting job.”

A native of Cinnaminson, New Jersey, Singer won a junior college national title at Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester. He later played at Monmouth University and Rutgers-Camden. 

In 2016, Singer earned a spot in the prestigious Arizona Fall League, finishing the campaign with a sparkling 1.42 ERA over 10 appearances. He owns a 3.64 ERA in six seasons of affiliated baseball. His most recent action in the U.S. came for Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2022, having returned to the IronPigs without appearing in a game for the Phillies. 

The Monarchs season opens on Friday, May 12 in Sioux City. The club’s home opener is set for Friday, May 19.

PHOTO: Ian D’Andrea / CC BY SA 2.0

About the American Association

The American Association of Professional Baseball played its first season in 2006. It is a professional partner league that is affiliated with Major League Baseball but not specifically with any one team. The league consists of 12 teams located primarily in the Midwest and the South of the United States. Its season runs from May to September and features players who are looking to showcase their talents for a chance to be signed by a major league team.

About the Kansas City Monarchs

The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. This year, they are celebrating their 20th year of baseball in Kansas City, Kansas. In 2020, the team partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and changed their name from the T-Bones to the Monarchs in honor of the legendary Negro League franchise that played from 1920 to 1965. The Monarchs won ten Negro American League championships and two Negro League World Series championships in their history. The team featured numerous notable players over the years, including Hall of Famers Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson, Ernie Banks, and Buck O’Neil.

 

Big Leaguer Sanabria Inks Deal With Monarchs

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Photo: Minda Haas Kuhlmann / Omaha Storm Chasers

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A hard-throwing major leaguer is heading to the Kansas City Monarchs.

The American Association club has signed right-hander Carlos Sanabria to a contract, the Monarchs announced Monday.

Sanabria made his big-league debut with the Houston Astros in 2020. A native of Venezuela, he most recently pitched in the Kansas City Royals organization with Triple-A Omaha in 2021.

“Carlos is a guy with a great pedigree who has great stuff,” Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said. “We’re happy to add another quality pitcher to our organization.”

Sanabria is the third former big leaguer currently on the Monarchs’ roster for 2023, along with former Tigers outfielder Jacob Robson and former Rockies and Athletics pitcher Ryan Castellani.

The 26-year-old Sanabria made his Astros organization debut in 2014 when he pitched in the Dominican Summer League at the age of 17. He made his American debut in 2016, earning a promotion to Double-A in 2019.

In the fall of 2019, Sanabria participated in the prestigious Arizona Fall League, making eight appearances with Peoria alongside future big leaguers Julio Rodriguez and Jeremy Peña.

Sanabria broke through to the big leagues in 2020, making two appearances for the Astros. He struck out two batters in two innings of work.

He signed with the Royals organization as a free agent for 2021, the last season he pitched professionally.

About the American Association

The American Association of Professional Baseball played its first season in 2006. It is a professional partner league that is affiliated with Major League Baseball but not specifically with any one team. The league consists of 12 teams located primarily in the Midwest and the South of the United States. Its season runs from May to September and features players who are looking to showcase their talents for a chance to be signed by a major league team.

About the Kansas City Monarchs

The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. This year, they are celebrating their 20th year of baseball in Kansas City, Kansas. In 2020, the team partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and changed their name from the T-Bones to the Monarchs in honor of the legendary Negro League franchise that played from 1920 to 1965. The Monarchs won ten Negro American League championships and two Negro League World Series championships in their history. The team featured numerous notable players over the years, including Hall of Famers Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson, Ernie Banks, and Buck O’Neil.

All-Star First Baseman Brusa Returning To Monarchs

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Gio Brusa put on a show at the plate last season, mashing 16 home runs in 80 games and starting in the American Association All-Star Game.

To the switch-hitting first baseman, that was only the beginning.

“I learned so much more about myself and my craft, and I really took it into my offseason this year,” the California native said. “I think I have a lot more to offer than I even showed last year.”

He’ll be showing off his hard work in a Kansas City Monarchs uniform. The club has re-signed Brusa for the 2023 season.

The Monarchs acquired Brusa in a trade with the Lake Country DockHounds on August 7, 2022. Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said he was impressed watching him at the plate from the opposite dugout.

“He had tremendous bat control; he didn’t strike out much; he hit the ball to all fields from both sides of the plate,” Calfapietra said. “He showed power, but also showed great discipline.”

“It’s a great group of guys,” Brusa said of the Monarchs. “Joe is a great guy to play for. I learned so much just in the one month that I was with Kansas City.”

The 29-year-old is the second position player on the Monarchs’ roster for 2023. The other: former major leaguer Jacob Robson.

Brusa said he learned a lot from Robson last season, where the two were Monarchs teammates for the last month of the campaign.

“I got the most out of him for those four or five weeks we were together,” Brusa said. “To have another season with him is great.”

The San Francisco Giants drafted Brusa in the sixth round in 2016 out of Pacific University. Brusa has made it as high as Triple-A in four affiliated seasons.

One of the highlights of Brusa’s career came in 2018, when he and San Jose Giants teammate Jalen Miller hit for the cycle in the same game.

Brusa joins a Monarchs club aiming to win its fourth straight division championship. Along with Robson, the club’s roster also features former big leaguer Ryan Castellani and returning closer Alex Valdez.

The Monarchs season opens on Friday, May 12 in Sioux City. The club’s home opener is set for Friday May 19.

About the American Association

The American Association of Professional Baseball played its first season in 2006. It is a professional partner league that is affiliated with Major League Baseball but not specifically with any one team. The league consists of 12 teams located primarily in the Midwest and the South of the United States. Its season runs from May to September and features players who are looking to showcase their talents for a chance to be signed by a major league team.

About the Kansas City Monarchs

The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. This year, they are celebrating their 20th year of baseball in Kansas City, Kansas. In 2020, the team partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and changed their name from the T-Bones to the Monarchs in honor of the legendary Negro League franchise that played from 1920 to 1965. The Monarchs won ten Negro American League championships and two Negro League World Series championships in their history. The team featured numerous notable players over the years, including Hall of Famers Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson, Ernie Banks, and Buck O’Neil.