Monarchs Trade For All-Star Bat Wylie

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Another All-Star has joined the Kansas City Monarchs, this time through a trade.

The Monarchs have acquired Justin Wylie, an infielder who played in the Frontier League All-Star Game this past season, the American Association club announced Friday.

Wylie was a standout hitter for the New Jersey Jackals in 2022. He slashed .306/.398/.564 with 20 home runs, 19 doubles, and 12 stolen bases in 93 games.

The 26-year-old has also played for the Great Britain national team, helping the squad to victory in September 2022’s World Baseball Classic qualifier. He earned a spot on the roster for the 2023 WBC, playing in two games.

“Justin has showed some power, showed some success at different positions,” Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said. “We’re excited to see how he fits in with our club.”

Wylie is entering his fourth season of professional baseball. He was similarly impressive with New Jersey in 2021, with a .914 OPS and 15 home runs in 80 games.

Undrafted out of college, he made his pro debut in 2019 with Birmingham-Bloomfield in the Michigan-based United Shore League. He did not play pro ball in 2020.

Wylie played three years of college baseball at San Diego State before transferring to Arizona for his final season. He impressed with the Wildcats, posting a .342/.449/.634 slash line with five homers and 15 doubles over 46 games.

The Monarchs sent the Jackals RHP Nick Belzer and a player to be named later in exchange for Wiley.

“Nick was great for us last season; he was very reliable and part of a very good ball club,” Calfapietra said. “This is an opportunity for Nick to expand his horizons also, and we wish him the best.”

The Monarchs open their 2023 season on May 12 on the road. The club’s home opener is set for May 19. Fans can check out the team’s full roster at MonarchsBaseball.com/Roster.

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.

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.