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.