KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Monarchs are riding high, and there's no stopping them.
"I mean we on a roll right now," said outfielder Jan Hernandez.
The regular season is going well for the Monarchs, and that momentum carried over into the All-Star break.
"It's an honor, and I think it says a lot about our team as a whole," said Jordan Martinson, Monarchs pitcher. "We mesh pretty well, and I think we've got some good talent and we try to show that off in the All-Star Game."
Nine Monarchs were chosen to play in the 2022 American Association All-Star Game in Chicago, Illinois, earlier this week.
"It's awesome, to be honest. It was my first time as a professional player, so it was a great, great experience," said catcher Alexis Olmeda.
What made the experience even better was the fact it was a Monarch who knocked the Home Run Derby out of the park.
"It was just round after round after round — he was doing so well," said Joe Calfapietra, Monarchs manager.
Pitcher David Thompson blasted 23 home runs in the championship round to win the title in his first American Association Home Run Derby competition.
"I mean, yeah, I didn't go in thinking I would lose, so I was excited — I thought I could win it," Thompson said.
Now the Monarchs are on to the back half of their season.
"I think it was a nice little peek into the league to remind themselves that the Monarchs are still the reigning champions," said pitcher Jameson McGrane.
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