712.277.WINS (9467)

SIOUX CITY, IA – The Sioux City Explorers announced today that they have acquired RHP Josh Corrales in a trade with the Amarillo Sox in exchange for RHP Joe Zeller. Corrales has signed a 2014 American Association contract.

The 23-year old Valencia, CA resident was selected in the 44^th round by the Seattle Mariners in the 2011 MLB June Amateur draft out of California State University Los Angeles.  Corrales had a sensational rookie season in the Mariners organization in 2011. He began the season with the Pulaski Mariners affiliate in the Appalachian league, before being promoted to the Arizona League and then onto the Northwest League before ending the season with their AA affiliate in Jackson, TN. For the season, Corrales compiled a 2-1 record in 27.0 innings, while recording 25 strikeouts to only 10 walks to go with a miniscule 0.33 ERA.  Corrales spent the entire 2012 season with the Mariners Midwest League affiliate in Clinton, Iowa and finished the season 4-4, while recording 54 strikeouts in 55.0 innings of work, to go along with a 4.09 ERA. Due to issues with his agent, Corrales sat out the 2013 season.

“Corrales came highly recommended to us from numerous sources that recently seen him throw,” mentioned X’s Field Manager, Steve Montgomery. “He had a good deal of success in his two seasons with the Mariners and will be a great addition to our pitching staff.”

Zeller joined the X’s on August 24^th last season via a trade with the Gary Southshore Railcats.  Zeller appeared in just 3 games for the X’s and in 5.0 innings of work, didn’t allow an earned run, while giving up only 3 hits.  Zeller was originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 28^th round of the 2010 MLB draft and spent three seasons (2010-2012) in the Cubs organization before starting his Independent career in 2013 in the Frontier league.

In other team news, RHP Cody Hall has informed the team he has decided to retire from professional baseball and the X’s have granted him his release.