KC Monarchs Update: A bullpen making a brand of “comebacks”
Kansas City Monarchs first baseman Frankie Tostado gets doused by his teammates, including Channy Ortiz (right) after his walk-off hit against the Lincoln Saltdogs on Sunday, May 26 from Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. // Photo by Kristina Bonner / Kansas City Monarchs.
KC Monarchs Update is our weekly look at what’s happening with hometown baseball heroes, both at Legends Field and on the road. Check out their season schedule here.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Last year’s Kansas City Monarchs squad was phenomenal at staying composed, never quitting when deficits were too large.
This year’s Monarchs have made comeback victories a commonality in the early stages of the 2024 season. Kansas City won seven of its first 10 home games, three of which the Monarchs erased leads of three-run deficits or greater.
First baseman Frankie Tostado delivered Kansas City’s first walk-off win of the season on Sunday against the Lincoln Saltdogs. KC trailed 4-0 early, but scored the final five runs to clinch a third successive home series victory.
“They got those four [runs] early, we weren’t beat or down, or anything like that,” Tostado said. “We just knew the boys had to get their pitches.”
BULLPEN BEASTS
The Monarchs’ pitching staff has performed excellently under first-year pitching coach Justin Shafer. Kansas City enters Saturday with the second-best team ERA and WHIP while totalling the second-most strikeouts in the American Association.
Kansas City boasts one of the best bullpens in the league. Former Kansas Jayhawks closer Zack Leban has already earned three saves, right-hander Julian Garcia has started the season with over 11 consecutive shutout innings.
J.C. Keys leads the AAPB with four wins in his first five appearances.
“[We’re] just having a dog mentality,” Keys said. “Going out there, filling up the zone, [and] giving our team the best chance to win.”
BIG-LEAGUE TALENT
KC also has three former major leaguers in its starting lineup. Outfielder Blake Rutherford has been one of the best hitters in the league, commanding a .340 batting average and 19 RBI.
The former Washington National ranks in the AAPB’s top 10 in both metrics.
“I’m just trying to get good pitches to hit,” Rutherford said. “A bunch of guys are getting on base, I’m just trying to do my job and get it to the next guy.”
Outfielder Travis Swaggerty and infielder Trent Giambrone also reached The Show. Swaggerty, a former Pittsburgh Pirates first-round draft pick, started his Monarchs career with an 18-game on-base streak.
Giambrone was acquired via an in-season trade from the Cleburne Railroaders and has started strong in Kansas City. The former Chicago Cubs second baseman has four hits in his first three games, including a two-run home run against the Lake Country Dockhounds.
HOME NEXT WEEKEND
The Monarchs return from a nine-game road trip this coming Friday to host the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at Legends Field in KCK.
A Pit Viper sunglasses giveaway headlines Friday night before the Monarchs hold their annual Mizzou Night on Saturday. Kids can play catch and run the bases on the field following Sunday’s finale, where the Monarchs will be wearing their special “Los Monarchs” uniforms to honor Latino and Hispanic communities.
