Young Gun Pridgen Signs With Monarchs
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.
Every out from Patrick Pridgen's 7-inning complete game — the first in #MLBDraftLeague history — on July 27 📽️👇
Final line: 7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 7 K, 1 BB, 3 HBP
➡️ 93 pitches (60 strikes)
➡️ 37% Whiff
➡️ 29% Chase@Patty_217 @WVBlackBears pic.twitter.com/TaePOCIX0f
— MLB Draft League (@mlbdraftleague) August 3, 2021
“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.
Patrick Pridgen (‘22 Elig.) was fantastic! Opened 92-95 & held 91-93/4 through 7IP. Legit 4-pitch mix, confident with all offerings. High spin CB, mid-80s SL, and sinking CH give him weapons to get through lineups multiple times. 13 punchies/0 BBS. FB/SL #PGDraft @FIUBaseball pic.twitter.com/ElELvvYThP
— Perfect Game Florida (@Florida_PG) February 26, 2022
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.
