712.277.WINS (9467)

GEOFF BROUSSARD AND KEITH PICHT BACK WITH X’S IN 2018

SIOUX CITY, IA – The Sioux City Explorers announced today that the club has signed RHP Geoff Broussard and re-signed RHP Keith Picht to 2018 American Association contracts. The 2018 season will mark Broussard’s 7^th season in professional baseball and Picht’s 6^th season in professional baseball.

Broussard was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 23^rd round of the 2012 MLB Draft from California Polytechnic State University. Broussard would spend two seasons in the Phillies organization from 2012-2013, appearing in 55 games and recording 97 strikeouts to just 20 walks in 106.1 innings pitched while holding a 3.22 ERA. Broussard signed with the Explorers in 2014, and was a key part of the X’s bullpen that season going 8-1 with a 3.26 ERA in 41 games for the X’s. For his performance, Broussard had his contract purchased by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim prior to the 2015 season.

The California native would spend two seasons (2015-2016) in the Angels organization, spending the majority of the 2016 season playing for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees. Broussard signed with the Cincinnati Reds as a free agent last season, spending the majority of the season playing for the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos where he was a Mid-Season Southern League All-Star, before being called up to the Triple-A Louisville Bats near the end of the season.  

Picht appeared in 34 games for the Explorers last season with the majority coming out of the bullpen, with 6 starts mixed in towards the end of the season. Picht would toss 78.2 innings for the X’s, surrendering only 75 hits while accumulating 66 strikeouts and holding a 3.89 ERA. 

Picht had previously pitched for the now defunct Joplin Blasters of the American Association and was a workhouse out of the bullpen for the Blasters in 2016 pitching in 41 games, posting a 3.34 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 56.2 innings. Picht also pitched for the American Association’s Kansas City T-Bones, where he began his professional career in 2013. The Kansas native pitched collegiately at Kansas State before transferring to Barton County CC and finishing his collegiate career at Emporia State University.

With the signings of Broussard and Picht, the X’s now have 14 players (10 pitchers, 4 position players) signed to 2018 contracts.  

The Explorers begin their 2018 campaign on the road visiting the Lincoln Saltdogs on May 17^th. The X’s 2018 home opener is scheduled for Friday, May 25^th at Mercy Field at Lewis & Clark Park versus the Cleburne Railroaders in a 7:05pm contest. Get in the game with the X’s by reserving your 2018 season tickets or company group outing now by calling 712-277-WINS (9467).