MONARCHS ADD ANOTHER ARM

The 2021 American Association Champion Kansas City Monarchs have signed Australian left-handed pitcher Lewis Thorpe.  Thorpe was recently released by the Minnesota Twins and will join the Monarchs on the first day of 2022 Training Camp at Legends Field.

Thorpe made his MLB debut on June 30, 2019 and went 3-2 with a 6.18 ERA in 12 games that season for the Minnesota Twins.  He tossed 27 and two thirds innings for the Twins striking out 31 with only 10 base on balls.  He spent 2020 in between the minors and the Twins – pitching in 7 games – one start, during that campaign. Earlier in his professional career Thorpe was named to pitch for the World team in the 2018 Futures Game at Nationals Park in Washington D.C.

Last season (2021), Thorpe made 13 total appearances between Minnesota and the Triple-A Saint Paul Saints. In his 5 appearances for the big-league club, he recorded a 4.70 ERA with 6 strikeouts in 15.1 innings of work.

We are extremely excited to have Lewis with our club for the 2022 season” said American Association Manager of the Year and Kansas City Coach of the Year Joe Calfapietra.  “His experience at the highest level will add great depth to an already good pitching staff” added Calfapietra.

During 2022 Twins spring training camp, the Twins transitioned Thorpe to the bullpen. On March 28, 2022, the Twins sent Thorpe outright to the Saints of the Triple-A International League where he made one appearance as the season started before being released from his contract.

Training camp for the Monarchs opens on May 5 and opening night is Friday May 13 at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas.