JC Escarra

Welcome To The Show: Escarra Makes Yankees’ MLB Roster

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JC Escarra

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Former Kansas City Monarchs star JC Escarra is heading to the major leagues with the New York Yankees.

The Yankees announced Saturday the catcher has made their Opening Day roster for 2025.

Escarra’s debut comes three years after he played for the Monarchs, serving as a potent bat and steady presence behind the plate for a division-winning squad. 

“We are very excited for JC Escarra,” Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said. “This could not have happened to a better person. His desire and work ethic are second to none. I can’t wait to see how his major league career unfolds!”

Escarra is the 10th former Monarchs/T-Bones player to make the Major Leagues, and the first since Eric Stout in 2022. He’s the first former position player from the organization to reach The Show since 2018 outfielder Johnny Davis played with Tampa Bay in 2019.

The Florida native batted .291 with a .926 OPS with Kansas City in 2022, hitting 12 home runs and driving in 35 over 70 games.

The Orioles drafted Escarra in the 15th round in 2017 out of Florida International University. He reached Triple-A in 2021. 

After his time with the Monarchs, Escarra played in the Mexican and Puerto Rican leagues, as well as with Gastonia in the Atlantic League. 

Escarra caught on with the Yankees on a minor-league deal in 2024, splitting the season between Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He slashed .261/.355/.434 across those two teams while impressing with his defense and framing ability behind the plate. 

This spring, Escarra earned his spot on the team with a .333 batting average and .953 OPS, hitting three home runs over 16 games to go with his dependable defense.

The Yankees open their season on Thursday, March 27 in New York against the Milwaukee Brewers. Escarra is expected to take on the backup catcher role with the team. 

The Monarchs begin their 2025 campaign on May 9 at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. Tickets are on sale now. 

Lázaro Armenteros

Monarchs Ink 20-Homer Bat, Dependable Pitcher

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Lázaro Armenteros

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — An experienced outfielder with a 20-home run season under his belt and a dependable starting pitcher are the latest players to join the Kansas City Monarchs for 2025. Lázaro Armenteros and Daniel Martinez have signed with the four-time league champions. 

Armenteros, 25, is an experienced outfielder who has shown plenty of power across seven professional seasons. The Cuba hit 20 home runs in 2023 across High-A and Double-A in the Athletics’ system. 

“Lázaro Armenteros is a high-quality sign for us,” Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said. “He has international experience, he’s hit for power. He’ll really strengthen our club.”

Martinez, a California native, has pitched in the Athletics and Braves system. He posted a 3.07 ERA as a starter in 2023 before reaching Triple-A in 2024. 

“We’re excited to have Daniel with our team,” Calfapietra said. “He’s pitched at the higher levels of the minors, has starting experience, and has good stuff. We’re looking forward to seeing him in camp.”

The Monarchs open their 2025 season on May 9 from Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. Tickets are on sale now.

See the Monarchs’ full roster here.

Born in Havana, Armenteros represented the Cuban U-15 national team before heading to the United States for pro ball. 

Armenteros quickly earned acclaim while moving up the Athletics’ system. MLB Pipeline rated him the team’s No. 5 prospect going into the 2019 campaign, praising his bat speed and all-around ability. 

2023 was a banner year for Armenteros, who belted 20 home runs and produced an .879 OPS over 110 games, most of them for Double-A Midland. He made his Triple-A debut in 2024.

In the fall of 2024, Armenteros represented Cuba in the WBSC Premier12, the biggest international baseball tournament of the year. 

Armenteros owns 68 career MiLB home runs and a .782 career OPS. He’ll make his Partner League debut in 2025.

Martinez also has experience in the Athletics system, where he was drafted in the 21st round out of UC Riverside. 

The California native reached High-A with the Athletics in 2022, where he struck out 8.1 batters per nine innings. 

Martinez landed with the Braves organization in 2023, producing a 3.07 ERA with High-A Rome before earning a promotion to Double-A later that season. 

His most recent pro action was two appearances for the Braves system in 2024, including a relief outing with Triple-A Gwinnett. 

Hunter McMahon

Hometown Star McMahon Back With Monarchs

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A hometown player and one of the Kansas City Monarchs’ top pitchers is returning for 2025. The Monarchs have re-signed Kansas City, Missouri native Hunter McMahon.

The former Nationals and Twins prospect impressed in a variety of roles with the four-time league champions in 2024, throwing in the rotation and out of the bullpen. He showed plus stuff and impressive control, walking just 15 batters across 68 innings of work.

“I really think Hunter McMahon is a special talent,” Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said. “I like his arm, I think there’s more there. I think he’s a player who can be great for us this season.”

McMahon and the Monarchs open their 2025 season on May 9 from Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. Tickets are on sale now.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, McMahon helped Staley High School to a runner-up finish in the MSHSAA Class 5 Tournament. He attended Coffeyville Community College for two years before pitching at Texas State in 2019.

The Nationals drafted McMahon in the 9th round out of Texas State. He made his pro debut that year, allowing just one earned run across nine appearances.

The Twins traded for McMahon in January 2020. He reached Triple-A St. Paul in 2023, posting a 1.59 ERA across seven appearances (two starts).

McMahon began the 2024 season with Double-A Wichita, making eight appearances before heading to the Monarchs.

See the Monarchs’ full 2025 roster here.

 

Ross Adolph

Star Outfielder Adolph Re-Signs With Monarchs

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Kansas City Monarchs’ top home run hitter is returning for 2025. Ross Adolph, a core player on the Monarchs’ 2024 squad, has re-signed with the four-time league champions. 

Adolph, an outfielder, was one of the Monarchs’ most dependable players in 2024, playing in a team-best 95 of the club’s 99 games. 

The Ohio native led Kansas City with 16 home runs and tied for the team lead with 57 RBIs while ranking second on the Monarchs in hits (108) and walks (44).

“Ross Adolph had a special year for us last year,” Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said. “He played every day, played hard every day, and handled himself so well. I think with the pieces that we’re looking to put around him he could be even better in 2025. We’re very excited to have him back.”

The move helps solidify the Monarchs’ stable of hitters for the 2025 season. Adolph, shortstop Josh Bissonette and slugger Jhailyn Ortiz are all back from a season ago, with former Kansas City Royal Jorge Bonifacio joining the club.

The Monarchs’ season starts May 9 at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. Tickets are on sale now. 

Originally from Findlay, Ohio, Adolph played college ball at Toledo, where he tied a school record with 15 home runs his junior year in 2018. 

The Mets drafted Adolph in the 12th round in 2018. He made his pro debut with Low-A Brooklyn that season and made the New York-Penn League All-Star Game. 

The Mets traded Adolph to Houston in January 2019. He rose through the ranks with the Astros, reaching Triple-A Sugar Land for 19 games in 2023. 

Adolph produced a .302/.406/.517 slash line with Kansas City in 2024 while providing solid defense in the outfield and an uplifting presence in the Monarchs’ clubhouse.

Fans can see the Monarchs’ full roster for 2025 here.

Monarchs Tryout Camp Set For April 29

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Think you have what it takes to play professional baseball? Now’s the chance to put your skills to the test at the Kansas City Monarchs Tryout Camp.

The Monarchs are inviting all comers to Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas for a chance to compete for a spot on the 2025 roster.

The camp is on Tuesday, April 29 at 2 p.m., with registration at 1 p.m. Interested players must register online at MonarchsBaseball.com/Tryout and pay a $175 registration fee.

Players should bring all their own equipment, including bats, gloves, cleats, protective gear, food, and anything else they may need to show their skills. Baseballs and water will be provided.

Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra and his coaching staff will be on hand to evaluate players as they build their 2025 roster.

Interested players are strongly encouraged to sign up in advance at MonarchsBaseball.com/Tryout. Players can call the Monarchs with any questions they may have at 913-328-5618.

The Monarchs open their 2025 season on May 9 at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. Tickets are on sale now.

Ryan Leitch

Former Phillies Catching Prospect Leitch Signs With Monarchs

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A former Phillies prospect and Canadian national teamer is taking his catching talents to the Kansas City Monarchs. Ryan Leitch has signed with the four-time league champions, the Monarchs announced Thursday.

Leitch, 23, is a former Phillies prospect who played with High-A Jersey Shore in 2024.

“Ryan Leitch is an exciting player with some power, international experience and the ability to contribute at the catcher position,” Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said. “We think he can be a good piece for us.”

Leitch and the Monarchs open their 2025 season on May 9 from Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. Tickets are on sale now.

The Phillies signed Leitch as an undrafted free agent out of Marshall University, where he hit .307 with 12 home runs in 53 games in 2022.

Originally from Whitby, Ontario, Leitch represented Canada in the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in 2019. Leitch started all six games for Canada, going 4-for-21 with a home run and helping his team to a Super Round appearance. 

Leitch debuted at Marshall in 2020, when his freshman season was cut short due to the pandemic. He posted an .880 OPS over 32 games as a sophomore in 2021. 

After his strong junior year landed him with the Phillies, Leitch made his pro debut with Single-A Clearwater in 2022. He returned to Clearwater for the 2023 season, hitting .247 with a .744 OPS. 

Leitch’s most recent pro action was in 2024, where he played 16 games with High-A Jersey Shore. 

See the Monarchs’ full roster here.

About the Kansas City Monarchs

The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. 2025 will be their 22nd season at Legends Field 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.

Jackson Goddard

Former Jayhawk Goddard Returns To Monarchs

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Jackson Goddard

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A former Kansas Jayhawks star is back with the Kansas City Monarchs pitching staff. The Monarchs have re-signed pitcher Jackson Goddard for the 2025 season. 

A dependable starter in 2024, Goddard ranked second on the team with 86.2 innings pitched and 88 strikeouts. 

“There is a lot that makes me excited to have Jackson Goddard back,” Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said. “He’s ultra-competitive, a really good teammate, and gives us innings. He’s familiar with our league, which is a definite bonus.”

Goddard and the Monarchs open their 2025 season on May 9 from Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. Tickets are on sale now. 

Goddard pitched at KU from 2016 to 2018, earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors his sophomore year in 2017. The right-hander delivered a 4.29 ERA in 16 games (12 starts) that season.

The Tulsa, Oklahoma native was KU’s Opening Day starter in 2018, earning a 4.10 ERA in 10 starts. He turned heads against high-level competition, including striking out 11 batters against Oklahoma and posting seven straight Ks to start an outing against Oklahoma State.

A third-round draft pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks out of KU, Goddard reached Double-A Amarillo in 2023. The right-hander struck out 30 batters in 24.2 innings of work, helping the Sod Poodles to a Texas League championship.

Goddard joined the Monarchs for the start of the 2024 season and remained in their rotation throughout the year. His final start at Legends Field was his best of the season; he tossed seven shutout innings while striking out nine in a 10-0 win over Fargo-Moorhead. 

Goddard is the eighth pitcher and 16th player overall on the Monarchs’ roster for 2025. See the full Monarchs roster here.

About the Kansas City Monarchs

The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. 2025 will be their 22nd season at Legends Field 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.

May The Force Be With You: Monarchs’ Star Wars™ Night Set For May 24

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Kansas City Monarchs are bringing a galaxy’s worth of fun to Legends Field on Saturday, May 24! It’s the Monarchs’ annual Star Wars™ Night!

Whether you’re the next great Jedi master or have discovered the dark side of the Force, Star Wars™ Night at the Monarchs is the perfect family-friendly way to enjoy fandom and pro baseball all night long.

Tickets to Star Wars™ Night start at just $15 plus fees: that’s a Grogu-sized price for an Imperial Destroyer-sized good time!

For those looking for tickets, this is the way: click this link or call 913-328-5618!

Star Wars™ night will feature special costume fan group appearances, so guests can be face-to-face with some of their favorite characters in the galaxy! The Monarchs can assure fans that these are the droids they are looking for.

Fans can also participate in in-game costume and trivia contests to show their Star Wars™ love. But remember, do or do not, there is no try.

After the game, fans of all ages can grab free player autographs as part of the Monarchs’ Signature Saturdays promotion. To fans who love this feature… we know.

So don’t miss Star Wars™ Night with the Monarchs on Saturday, May 24! Get your tickets now!

About the Kansas City Monarchs

The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. 2025 will be their 22nd season at Legends Field 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.

Patrick Pridgen

Young Gun Pridgen Signs With Monarchs

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A young pitcher with tons of strikeout potential has joined a growing Kansas City Monarchs pitching staff. Patrick Pridgen, a former Tigers prospect who put up eye-popping numbers at Florida International University, has signed with the four-time league champions for the 2025 season.

A right-hander, Pridgen has experience in the rotation and out of the bullpen. He struck out over 14 batters per nine innings in his lone season at FIU in 2022.

The Monarchs begin their 2025 season on May 9 from Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. Tickets are on sale now.

“Patrick Pridgen is an exciting piece,” Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said. “He’s a good young arm who can potentially help us in multiple roles. We’re excited to have him on our roster.”

Pridgen, 25, hails from Apple Valley, Minnesota. He played parts of three seasons at North Iowa Area Community College from 2018 to 2020.

His next collegiate action was his season at FIU, where he posted a 4.77 ERA to go with his prodigious strikeout rate across 14 starts.

The Tigers drafted Pridgen in the 15th round in 2022; he made his pro debut that season and made four appearances with Single-A Lakeland. After missing 2023 with injury, Pridgen split 2024 between Single-A and the Florida Complex League.

Pridgen has 28 professional appearances in the Tigers system, with 36 pro strikeouts over 31 innings of work.

About the Kansas City Monarchs

The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. 2025 will be their 22nd season at Legends Field 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.

Kansas City Kansas Community College

Monarchs Renew Partnership With Kansas City Kansas Community College

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. —  The Kansas City Monarchs and Kansas City Kansas Community College are continuing their groundbreaking partnership. KCKCC will continue as the Official Education Partner of the Monarchs for the 2025 season.

“Education and community involvement are two values that are central to the Monarchs organization. That’s why we’re so excited to extend our partnership with Kansas City Kansas Community College,” team owner Mark Brandmeyer said. “We’re proud to partner with a respected Kansas City, Kansas institution for another season.”

“The Kansas City Monarchs have quickly made an impact in the community. KCKCC is proud to partner with the team,” said KCKCC President Dr. Greg Mosier. “We look forward to collaborating on and off the field to promote our organizations, community and region.”

The partnership includes additional opportunities for KCKCC students to get involved with internships, allowing them to jump-start their careers in sports.
KCKCC students are also eligible for a special ticket discount as part of this collaboration

Founded in 1923, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a two-year public institution located within the city limits of Kansas City Kansas. The college enrolls about 9,000 students annually and offers a variety of two-year degrees, one-year and short term certificate programs.

The Kansas City Monarchs begin their 2025 season on Friday, May 9 from Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. Tickets are on sale now at this link or by calling 913-328-5618.

About the Kansas City Monarchs

The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. 2025 will be their 22nd season at Legends Field 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.