The Kansas City Monarchs are scorching hot. Here’s the latest news about the team

Everything is clicking for the Kansas City Monarchs.

Fresh off a weekend sweep of the Cleburne Railroaders, the Monarchs are 12-3 over their last 15 games and just a half-game out of first place in the American Association West.

"I like the way the guys are playing," Monarchs outfielder Keon Broxton said. "We’re getting the best out of our guys right now, and it's awesome to watch."

A few key additions have helped the Monarchs find their form as of late.

Edwin Diaz, the reigning MVP of the Puerto Rican winter league, joined the club May 27. He wasted no time introducing himself to Monarchs fans Friday, hitting a three-run homer in his first at-bat at Legends Field.

Diaz has reached base safely in all eight games he's worn a Monarchs uniform while playing error-free defense at third base and shortstop.

The Monarchs also welcomed back Alex Valdez Sunday. The team's closer down the stretch in 2022, he began this season on the visa reserve list.

Valdez entered Sunday's game with the tying run on base and struck out back-to-back hitters to get out of the jam.

Monarchs catcher Chris Herrmann received special recognition from the team Friday for his outstanding month of May.

The former Twins and Diamondbacks backstop led the American Association with a .431 average and 27 RBIs on the month.

"If it weren't for my teammates my stats wouldn't be what they are," Herrmann said. "It's a group effort; it's not just me or any one person."

Herrmann hit his eighth homer of the year in the Monarchs’ win Sunday.

The Monarchs have elite speed at the top of their lineup in former big leaguers Johneshwy Fargas and Jacob Robson, and have been more aggressive on the basepaths recently.

The Monarchs have stolen 42 bases on the season while getting caught stealing just three times. Over their three-game series with Cleburne this past weekend, they stole nine bases without being caught.

The Monarchs finish their homestand up with a three-game series against the Lincoln Saltdogs, whom they beat two times out of three on the road just last week. After that they embark on a 12-day road trip to Winnipeg, Fargo and Chicago before returning home June 20.