MLB All-Star Herrera Joins Monarchs

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A big-league All-Star is coming to the Kansas City Monarchs.

Former Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera has signed with the American Association club, the Monarchs announced Thursday.

Herrera has seven seasons of MLB experience from 2015 to 2022, all with the Phillies. He owns a career .271/.326/.419 slash line in the bigs.

“We’re very excited to have such a great talent join our franchise,” Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said. “We’re looking forward to the great things Odubel can do on and off the field for our organization, and we’re going to do our best to help him fulfill his goal of returning to the major leagues.”

The native of Venezuela earned his All-Star selection in 2016. He hit .286 with a .781 OPS that season for Philadelphia, hitting 15 home runs and stealing 25 bases.

Herrera joins the Monarchs after Kansas City lost center fielder Johneshwy Fargas and third baseman Edwin Diaz, both of whom had their contracts transferred to a Mexican League team on Monday.

Like Fargas, Herrera has his fair share of highlight-reel plays in a big-league outfield.

Originally a Rangers prospect, Herrera made his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2009 at the age of 17. He was in Double-A three years later.

The Phillies selected Herrera in the Rule 5 draft ahead of the 2015 season. He made his MLB debut on Opening Day, April 6, 2015.

Herrera stayed with the Phillies organization through August 2022. He played last winter in the Venezuelan winter league, his third season on the circuit. He was named the league’s most valuable player in 2015.

The Monarchs are 23-13 on the season after a come-from-behind win Wednesday against the Sioux City Explorers. They’re tied for first in the American Association West heading into Thursday’s action.

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.

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.

Monarchs’ Late Inning Heroics Secure Win

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By Nolan Brooks

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — LJ Hatch, Keon Broxton, and Micker Adolfo all had clutch hits as the Kansas City Monarchs erased a three-run deficit in the seventh inning to beat the Sioux City Explorers 6-3 at Legends Field on Wednesday afternoon.

Down 3-1 heading into the seventh inning, the Monarchs rallied to score two runs. A Broxton fielders choice drove in the tying run.

An Adolfo RBI double to center field in the eighth inning proved to be the winning hit that put the Monarchs ahead 4-3.

The game started out as a pitchers’ duel. Monarchs starter Dalton Moats and Explorers starter Mitchell Verburg both threw four scoreless innings to begin the game.

The Explorers got on the board first with a fifth-inning three-run homer from Delvin Zinn. It was quickly 3-0 Sioux City.

The Monarchs would respond with their first run in the sixth inning on a wild pitch that scored Hatch. It was 3-1 heading into the seventh.

The Monarchs bats came to life in the seventh. Basabe started off the rally with a double before Hatch’s RBI single brought in a run. From there, the Broxton fielders choice tied the ballgame and made it 3-3.

After a Gavin Collins walk to begin the eighth inning, Adolfo completed the comeback with the RBI double that made it 4-3.

Kansas City added two more insurance runs in the eighth inning. Olivier Basabe hit an RBI single and LJ Hatch drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 6-3.

Patrick Weigel entered in the ninth inning and shut the door on the Explorers to get his third save of the year.

Jordan Martinson got the win (2-1) and Nate Gercken got the loss (1-2).

UP NEXT: The Monarchs finish a three-game series versus the Sioux City Explorers. Game three is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday.

Monarchs’ Late Push Falls Short Against Explorers

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By Nolan Brooks

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Solomon Bates struck out 15 batters, leading the Sioux City Explorers to a 5-2 victory over the Kansas City  Monarchs Monday night at Legends Field in the opener of a three-game series. 

The Explorers can thank Miguel Sierra and John Nogowski for their homers but Bates stole the show on the mound. Bates’ 15 strikeouts left him two shy of tying the American Association record of 17. Sioux City tallied 18 combined strikeouts on the night.

Olivier Basabe went 3-for-4 with an RBI for Kansas City. The Monarchs will look to even the series and get back in the win column on Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Sioux City jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a solo shot from Sierra.

The Monarchs wasted no time getting back the run. KC answered on two-out singles from Micker Adolfo, Dylan Rosa, and Basabe. The trio of singles tied the game at one in the second inning.

After a few quiet innings, the Explorers added some insurance runs. A three-run homer from John Nogowski made it 5-1 Explorers after five innings. Nogowski finished with four RBIs on the night.

After a few more Bates strikeouts, the Monarchs made one final push in the eighth inning. 

A Keon Broxton single started the rally. Then a Chris Herrmann RBI single would score Broxton and it was 5-2 Sioux City after eight innings.

Sean Rackoski then entered and shut the door on the Monarchs to get the save. Brandon Finnegan got the loss (2-1) and Bates got the win (4-3).

UP NEXT

The Monarchs continue a three-game series versus the Sioux City Explorers. Game two is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Dogs Top Monarchs, Who Head Home Tuesday

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ROSEMONT, Ill. — A six-run fifth inning made the difference as the Chicago Dogs topped the Kansas City Monarchs 11-5 in the final game of the Monarchs’ longest road trip of the season.

Keon Broxton homered in the defeat. The Monarchs finish the 12-day, trip with a 7-3 record. They still claim the American Association’s best record at 22-12.

The game was tight early. The Dogs took a 1-0 lead on a second-inning home run from Donivan Williams, but starter Cody Deason worked out of trouble in four innings of work.

Kansas City tied the game in the fifth on an RBI single from Olivier Basabe.

Deason faced two batters in the fourth before giving way to Matt Hartman. He allowed a two-run single to the red-hot Luke Mangieri, a sacrifice fly from Ben Livorsi, and a three-run homer from Matt Bottcher to make it 7-1.

Kansas City scratched across a run in the sixth on a double-play ball, but Chicago added three more runs in the bottom of the inning to put the game out of reach.

Broxton’s home run was his sixth of the season and second in as many nights.

UP NEXT

Kansas City heads back to Legends Field for a six-game homestand, starting with a three-game set against the Sioux City Explorers Tuesday through Thursday.

Tuesday’s game, the Monarchs’ annual Pride Night, starts at 7 p.m.

The Monarchs are 10-2 at home this season.

Fargas, Diaz Heading To Mexican League

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ROSEMONT, Ill. — Two more Kansas City Monarchs are moving on from the organization after stellar play in 2023. 

Outfielder Johneshwy Fargas and infielder Edwin Diaz have had their contracts transferred to Saraperos de Saltillo in the Mexican League, the American Association club announced Monday.

“We’re very excited that Johneshwy and Edwin got this opportunity, and are able to continue playing together,” Monarchs Manager Joe Calfapietra said. “This is just another example of players that come to Kansas City and are able to move on to the next level.” 

Fargas was the Monarchs’ starting center fielder and leadoff hitter. He produced an outstanding .347 batting average and .899 OPS, stealing 19 bases in just 21 attempts. 

As good as he was with the bat, he was even better in the field, displaying big-league level defense night after night in center.  

Diaz joined the Monarchs May 27 and immediately provided a steady, dependable presence on the left side of Kansas City’s infield. Over 18 games between third base and shortstop, he didn’t make a single error. 

At the plate, Diaz produced a .212 average, .717 OPS and three home runs. That included a dramatic three-run blast on Tuesday night to help the Monarchs to a comeback win at Fargo-Moorhead. 

Both Fargas and Diaz hail from Puerto Rico. They were teammates on Puerto Rico’s 2023 World Baseball Classic squad. 

They’re the second and third Monarchs to have their contracts transferred in 2023, after pitcher Jackson McClelland was picked up by the Royals just before the season began. 

The Monarchs hold the AAPB’s best record at 22-11 entering Monday’s road game against the Chicago Dogs.

They return to Legends Field for a six-game homestand Tuesday through Sunday, including a free cap giveaway before their game Friday night at 7 p.m. (while supplies last).

Monarchs Rally For Pivotal Win In Chicago

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ROSEMONT, Ill. — Keon Broxton, Olivier Basabe and Dylan Rosa all hit home runs and the Kansas City Monarchs erased an eighth inning deficit to beat the Chicago Dogs 5-4 at Impact Field on Sunday afternoon.

Down 3-1 entering the eighth inning, the Monarchs rallied for three in the frame including a game-tying two-run blast by Broxton.

A Dylan Rosa home run in the ninth provided key insurance in the one-run victory.

“We think that we can come back at any time. We trust each other,” Basabe said. “We know we’re good, so we’ll be okay.”

The win extends the Monarchs’ lead for first place in the American Association West to 1.5 games, improving the club’s record to a league-best 22-11.

Kansas City will play for a split of the teams’ four-game series Monday at 6:30 p.m. It will be the final game of the Monarchs’ season-long 10-game road trip.

Basabe’s solo shot opened the scoring in the third inning. A no-doubt blast out to left, it was his third home run in 12 games this season.

“It was 3-1, so I was looking for a fastball, and I wasn’t trying to miss it,” Basabe said.

The Dogs (17-16) tied things up in the bottom half with an RBI single from Josh Altmann off of Zach Matson. Kansas City right fielder Micker Adolfo threw out Ryan Lidge trying to take third on the play, preventing further damage.

Chicago took the lead in the sixth. With a man on first, Donivan Williams hit a fly ball to left-center. Dylan Rosa had trouble with the ball, allowed Williams to reach on an error and the go-ahead run to score.

Luke Mangieri followed Williams up with an RBI double to make it 3-1 Dogs.

Cody Bohanek hit a line drive down the third base line one batter later, but Basabe made an outstanding diving stop to end the inning.

It was the utility player’s first game at third base all season.

“I’ll be ready to play any position,” Basabe said. “It doesn’t matter. I just want to be in the lineup and help the team win.”

Matson threw six innings in one of his best starts of the year. He allowed three runs, one earned, on five hits, walking two and striking out five.

Chris Herrmann hit an automatic double two batters after Broxton’s homer in the eighth, and scored the go-ahead run on an RBI double from Gavin Collins.

Rosa, a Chicago native, made it 5-3 with his fourth homer of the year in the ninth.

Bohanek hit a leadoff home run to start off the ninth inning, but Trey Jeans retired the next three batters to end it.

Jeans got the win, throwing the final three innings with one run allowed on three hits. He walked none and struck out one.

For Basabe and the Monarchs, the thought process moving forward is simple.

“Get back tomorrow, tie the series, then get back home and get that series too,” Basabe said.

Herrmann Hits 10th, Late Homers Sink Monarchs

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ROSEMONT, Ill. — A couple of late home runs made the difference in a back-and-forth game, as the Kansas City Monarchs lost to the Chicago Dogs 7-4 at Impact Field Saturday night.

Chris Herrmann hit his 10th home run of the season in the defeat, becoming the first American Association player to reach 40 RBIs in 2023.

Micker Adolfo continued his hot hitting for the Monarchs, going 3-for-4 with a walk and an RBI.

The Monarchs will look to bounce back in game three of the four-game set Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. Central time.

Herrmann’s solo homer opened the scoring in the top of the first. Chicago tied it up in the second on an RBI single from Cody Bohanek.

The Monarchs retook the lead in the third on an RBI single from Adolfo, scoring Jan Hernandez. Hernandez finished the game 3-for-5.

The Dogs plated three in the third off Kansas City starter Jalen Miller. Nick Heath delivered a two-run single to put the Dogs in front, and Luke Mangieri made it 4-2 with an RBI knock a couple batters later.

Miller allowed four runs over four innings of work, all of which scored with two outs. His scoreless streak ended at 20 innings.

The Monarchs rallied to tie the game in the sixth. Keon Broxton came up with a bases-loaded RBI single to score Adolfo and make it 4-3. Justin Wylie brought Olivier Basabe across with a sacrifice fly a batter later, tying the score at four.

The Dogs took the lead for good in the sixth when Ben Livorsi hit a two-run homer off Miller Hogan, making it 6-4. Mangieri added a solo shot, his second of the series, to make it 7-4 in the eighth.

Kansas City got the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning with two out. Basabe grounded out to shortstop to end the game.

Big 7th Inning The Difference In Monarchs Loss

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ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Kansas City Monarchs’ recent hot streak hit a bump in the road on Friday.

Micker Adolfo homered to give Kansas City the lead in the fifth, but a four-run seventh powered the Chicago Dogs to victory in the opener of a three-game series from Impact Field.

The loss drops the Monarchs to 21-10, snapping a 7-game winning streak. They remain in first place in the American Association West, 1.5 games ahead of Fargo-Moorhead.

Luke Mangieri was a triple shy of the cycle for the Dogs, finishing 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs.

The Dogs took a 2-0 lead in the fourth on an RBI double by Mangieri.

Adolfo’s home run came in the fifth to straightaway center field. It was the third home run of the year for the Monarchs right fielder, and put Kansas City up 3-2.

Monarchs starter Dalton Moats threw five innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He walked two and struck out five.

The Dogs scored all four of their runs in the seventh before the first out was recorded. Mangieri led off the inning with his sixth home run of the season to make it a 3-3 game.

After Cody Bohanek was hit with a pitch, Ben Livorsi drove him in with a go-ahead double.

One batter later, Matt Bottcher hit a two-run homer, his second of the year. That put Chicago up 6-3.

The Monarchs rallied in the eighth, getting runners to second and third with none out. Though Chris Herrmann drove in a run with a ground ball to the right side, that was all Kansas City pushed across in the inning

Brian Schlitter got the four-out save for Chicago, getting Justin Wylie to fly out to the warning track in center with a man on second to end the game.

UP NEXT

Kansas City will look to level the series Saturday night with a big-time pitching matchup on tap. Former Dog Jalen Miller gets the ball for the Monarchs, fresh off of seven shutout innings against Winnipeg in his last outing. Tyler Palm, May’s American Association Pitcher of the Month, will get the ball for Chicago. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. Central time.

Monarchs Sweep RedHawks In Comeback Thriller

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FARGO, N.D. — The Kansas City Monarchs just keep winning.

A go-ahead three-run home run from Edwin Diaz in the ninth and a game-winning single from Johneshwy Fargas in the 10th helped Kansas City to a 6-5 victory at Newman Outdoor Field Thursday night.

Diaz’s blast turned a 4-2 disadvantage into a 5-4 lead. It helped the Monarchs erase a 4-0 deficit over the eighth and ninth innings.

The RedHawks rallied to tie it in the ninth, but Fargas’ single put Kansas City ahead for good.

The win secures a series sweep in a matchup of the top two teams in the American Association West. The Monarchs (21-9) have won seven in a row, 13 of their last 14, and are 20-4 excluding the first week of the year.

Kansas City is now in first place in the West by 2.5 games over Fargo-Moorhead in second.

The Monarchs got their hits in early in the game, but couldn’t quite cash in and fell behind 4-0 after five innings.

Correlle Prime hit a two-run home run to open the scoring in the fourth. A pair of two-out hits from Leo Piña and John Silviano made it 4-0 in the fifth.

Monarchs starter Brandon Finnegan had good stuff, throwing six solid innings. He allowed four runs on eight hits, walking three and striking out four.

Kansas City started their comeback in the eighth. LJ Hatch singled home Edwin Diaz with one out, and Fargas hit a sacrifice fly to score Micker Adolfo and make it 4-2.

Chris Herrmann and Jan Hernandez walked to begin the ninth, setting the table for Diaz. He delivered a moonshot out to left field, his third home run of the year.

The RedHawks tied the game with two outs in the ninth on an opposite-field double from John Silviano. Monarchs reliever Grant Gavin struck out Correlle Prime to strand the tying run on second base.

Fargas drove in bonus runner Justin Wylie to put Kansas City up 6-5 in the top of the 10th.

Miller Hogan came on to get the save for the Monarchs. He retired all three batters he faced, two via strikeout, to leave the tying run on base.

UP NEXT

The Monarchs travel to Chicago for a four-game series with the Dogs starting Friday night at 6:30 p.m. Their next home game is set for Tuesday, June 20 at 7 p.m.

Fargas Drives In Five, Monarchs Clinch Series In Fargo

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FARGO, N.D. — Johneshwy Fargas drove in five runs, and the Kansas City Monarchs kept rolling Wednesday night, knocking off the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 8-5 at Newman Outdoor Field.

Wednesday’s victory is Monarchs’ 12th in their last 13 games; they’re now 19-4 after a 1-5 road trip to start the season. It locks up the Monarchs’ eight straight series victory.

Fargas went 3-for-5 on the night, including a two-run home run in the fifth.

“I’m just enjoying the game right now, just doing my thing,” Fargas said. “Right now we have a great group of guys, so we’re playing as a team. It’s fun to watch us playing right now.”

Cody Deason earned the win for Kansas City on the mound, tossing five innings of two-run ball against a tough RedHawks lineup. Closer Patrick Weigel earned a four-out save.

It’s a big series victory for the Monarchs after both teams entered the three-game set 9-1 in their last 10 games.

“We’re ready to face anybody in the league,” Fargas said. “We have the best team in the league right now.”

The Monarchs will go for the sweep Thursday night at 7:02 p.m. Former Kansas City Royal Brandon Finnegan will start for the Monarchs.

Kansas City got on the board in the first inning, loading the bases on three walks from RedHawks starter Kevin McGovern. Gavin Collins opened the scoring with an RBI single, and Edwin Diaz followed him up with a sacrifice fly.

Fargas gave the Monarchs a 3-run run cushion with his homer, a first-pitch blast out to left field off McGovern. Kansas City led 5-2 after four.

John Silviano cut the lead to two with a solo homer in the 6th off Trey Jeans. It was the first home run Jeans allowed all season, snapping a 15-inning scoreless streak for the left-hander.

Fargas capped off his night at the plate with a two-run single in the eighth inning, putting the Monarchs ahead 8-3.

Fargo-Moorhead threatened to get back in it in the bottom of the eighth, drawing back-to-back bases-loaded walks off Alex Valdez. Kansas City manager Joe Calfapietra called on Weigel, who got Manny Boscan to ground out and end the inning.

Weigel worked around a two-out walk to throw a hitless ninth, finishing off the victory.