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SIOUX CITY, IA - The Sioux City Explorers have further bolstered their pitching staff by signing two experienced arms to join the starting rotation. Today, the X’s announce the addition of RHP Garret Holleran and LHP Alain Quijano to their 2012 roster. Both will report to Spring Training in hopes to join Nick Schumacher and Richard Salazar on the 5-Man rotation.

The X’s signed Holleran as a free agent. The 27-year-old pitched for former X’s pitching coach, Bobby Post last year with the Calgary Vipers. After the 2011 season, the Calgary organization folded turning all their players into free agents. The 2012 season will mark Holleran’s fifth year in professional baseball, all in independent ball.  Over his career, the Phoenix, AZ native has posted a 22-14 record, pitching 3 complete games and owning a 4.81 earned run average. In 2009 with the Gary Southshore Railcats, Holleran posted a 5-2 record in 11 starts with a 3.46 ERA in 67.2 innings of work.  In 2010, Holleran had his best year to date as a member of the Chico Outlaws of the Independent Golden League. During that season, the 6’5” right-hander went 9-2 in 15 starts with a miniscule 3.86 ERA, striking out 70 batters in 98 innings pitched.

 “Holleran came highly recommended to us from numerous sources,” mentioned X’s Field Manager, Stan Cliburn. “He will be a great fit on this already talented pitching staff.”

A Des Moines, IA native, the 2012 season will mark Quijano’s sixth season in professional baseball. Over his career, the left-hander has seen time out of the bullpen and as a starter, with the last two seasons primarily being as a starter. Last year, the 29-year-old spent time with two different American Association foes, St. Paul and Gary Southshore. After a brief time with the St. Paul Saints to start the 2011 season, Quijano signed with Gary Southshore and in 13 starts for the Railcats, Quijano  posted a 4-3 record with a 4.61 ERA in 70.1 innings of work. In 2010, Quijano was a member of the Schaumburg Flyers in the Northern League. In 19 starts with the Flyers, he threw two complete games with one shutout. Over 114.2 innings pitched, he struck out 99 batters, allowing only 48 earned runs while posting a 3.77 ERA.

“The Explorers are excited about Quijano joining the rotation for 2012,” Cliburn commented. “He is a lefty that we have been trying to acquire and we’re glad to finally have him on our roster.”