712.277.WINS (9467)

SIOUX CITY, IA – After adding veteran hitter, Leonard Davis earlier in the week, the Sioux City Explorers announced today the signing of another big bat in 3B Mark Sobolewski. The 2014 season will mark his seventh season in professional baseball, first in Sioux City.

Sobolewski was drafted in the 4^th round of the 2008 MLB draft by the Toronto Blue Jays out of the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.  Sobolewksi began his career in 2008 with the Bluy Jays New York Penn League team in Auburn, New York, where he collected 34 hits in 35 games while producing 5 doubles and 10 RBI’s.  In 2009, Mark was sent to Toronto’s Midwest league team in Lansing, Michigan, where he produced 85 hits in 93 games, while collecting 27 extra base hits and 43 RBI’S to go with a .249 batting average. 

The Sarasota, FL resident began the 2010 season in Lansing, Michigan before being promoted to the Blue Jays Florida State League team in Dunedin, Florida for the final 70 games of the season.  Between his two stops, Sobolewski appeared in 114 games and collected 117 hits to go along with 34 doubles, 10 home runs and 59 RBI’s.  Mark spent the entire 2011 season at the Double-A level with the Blue Jays Eastern League affiliate in New Hampshire.  In 112 games with the Fisher Cats, Sobolewski accumulated a .273 batting average to go along with 109 hits, 20 doubles, 8 home runs and 49 RBI’s.  Appearing in 102 games that season at third-base, Sobolewski only committed 12 errors in 253 chances (.953 fielding percentage).

Statistically, 2012 was Sobolewskis’ best offensive year while playing in 117 games with the Fisher Cats and Las Vegas 51s, Blue Jays’ Double-A, Triple-A affiliates. He combined for 113 hits, 21 doubles and 20 home runs, while producing 59 runs batted in.  In 2013, Mark was picked up by the Minnesota Twins and only appeared in 45 games with the Twins Double-A and Triple-A affiliates before being given his release.  Mark appeared in 13 games towards the end of the season with the Fort Worth Cats of the Independent United League. 

“We are excited to be able to add another big bat into the middle of our lineup, Sobolewski is as an experienced AA and AAA hitter, who will hold down the hot corner at third base,” commented  X’s field manager, Steve Montgomery.

The 2014 Home Opener is set for Saturday, May 17^th versus the Sioux Falls Canaries. Season tickets are on sale now – to reserve your 9 Innings of Vacation stop down to the X’s Office, located at Lewis & Clark Park or call them at 277-WINS.