Monarchs Sign Four Pitchers With Local Ties
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Four pitchers with local ties are coming to the Kansas City Monarchs. Right-handers Will Stevens, Josh Bortka, Connor Holden and Blake Goldsberry have signed with the four-time league champions for 2025.
The Monarchs open their season May 9 at Legends Field in Kansas City for a Fireworks Friday game and Satchel Paige bobblehead giveaway. Tickets are on sale now.
Stevens, a Kansas City Missouri native who attended Park Hill High School, played in college at Iowa Western, Wichita State and Tarleton State. The Tampa Bay Rays drafted him in the 15th round in 2023.
The 23-year-old spent 2024 with Single-A Charleston, making 29 appearances and finishing 17 games with a 6.34 ERA and 8.5 K/9.
Stevens is the most recent Park Hill grad to join the Monarchs after lefty Dalton Moats played with the team in 2023 and 2024. Moats was signed by the Cubs organization early in the 2024 season.
“We think Will’s stuff can play really well in our league,” Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said. “He has a big arm, and has shown some great flashes. We’re looking forward to seeing him at Legends Field.”
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Bortka attended Turner High School in Kansas City, Kansas. He played college ball at Cowley College and Metropolitan CC – Longview before finishing his amateur career at Central Missouri in 2022.
Bortka made his pro debut with the State College Spikes of the MLB Draft League in 2022 before signing with the Phillies organization later that year. He reached Single-A with the Phillies in 2022, 2023 and 2024, posting a 4.95 ERA across 56 affiliated games.
“We think Josh is a great fit for our team,” Calfapietra said. His numbers are good in the minor leagues, and I have really good reports on him. We’re looking forward to welcoming him to the ball club.”
Born in Cincinnati, Holden attended St. Xavier High School in Louisville before heading to Murray State for college baseball. He posted a 2.10 ERA in 19 relief appearances his senior year with the Racers in 2021.
Granted an extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19, Holden played a postgrad season at Wichita State, earning a team-best 2.78 ERA and 0.81 WHIP across 25 relief appearances.
Holden signed with the Tigers as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He reached Double-A in 2023, making four relief appearances at that level.
The 26-year-old split 2024 between Single-A Lakeland and High-A West Michigan, posting a 4.69 ERA and 7.9 K/9 in 34 appearances, all in relief.
“We really like what we’re getting with Connor,” Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said. “He has great stuff, and could play different roles for us. We’re excited to see him in camp.”
Goldsberry is very familiar with baseball in the Sunflower State, having played with the Kansas Jayhawks from 2016 to 2020. He did not allow a run in his final season with the Jayhawks over 7 appearances in the COVID-shortened season.
The Highlands Ranch, Colorado native signed with the Rockies out of KU and spent three years in their minor-league system. He reached Triple-A Albuquerque in 2024, making 10 games (one start) at that level.
“Blake is a high-velocity guy, and he has good command behind his stuff,” Calfapietra said. “He’s a guy that could come in and do really well for us.”
For more on the Monarchs, visit MonarchsBaseball.com.
