News
-
Browse by Month
- December 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- November 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
Defensive Player Of The Year, Matty Johnson Returns03/16/2016 11:14 AM
![]() Matty's Back SIOUX CITY, IA – The Sioux City Explorers have brought back another key piece from their record breaking 2015 season by announcing today that the club has re-signed CF Matty Johnson to a 2016 American Association contract. The 2016 season will mark Johnson’s 7th season of professional baseball and 2nd with the X’s.
Johnson returns to the Explorers following a solid 2015 campaign in which he was tabbed the American Association Defensive Player of the Year. The speedy centerfielder played in all 100 games for the Explorers and did not commit an error in 239 chances (233 putouts and 6 assists). In addition to his superb outfield play, Johnson set the tone at the top of the X’s lineup and led the entire American Association with 80 runs scored, while his 424 at bats were also most in the league. The X’s lead-off hitter compiled 112 hits on the season, including 6 triples (T-5th most in American Association), 16 doubles, and 2 homeruns, while also producing 38 RBI’s. The Omaha, NE resident showed off his speed by stealing 42 bases which were the 4th most in the league. Johnson had an impressive 18 game hitting streak from June 25th-July 12th in which he increased his batting average by 61 points during the hot stretch.
“We’re happy to have Matty returning in 2016”, commented X’s 3rd year field manager Steve Montgomery. “He was the defensive player of the year in the league and we are looking for another productive season this year.”
Johnson played collegiately at Bellevue University and was named an NAIA second team All-American and also earned first team all-MCAC honors after batting .429 and stealing 43 bases in his two years there. He went undrafted however and began his professional career in 2010 with the Gateway Grizzlies in the Frontier League where he continued to impress posting a .313 batting average in 47 games while stealing 24 bases. For his efforts, Baseball America named Johnson the 2010 top independent league prospect.
The Boston Red Sox took notice and signed Johnson in 2011 where he split time at their affiliates in Lowell, MA and Greenville, SC and continued to impress collectively hitting .307, collecting 61 hits in 60 games, while stealing 19 bases. In 2012, Matty spent most of his time playing for the Advanced-A Salem Red Sox and in 2013 he continued to rise up in the system as he was called up to the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs and also made a stint with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. Johnson’s final season in the Boston organization came in 2014 where he spent the entire year playing for the Salem Red Sox and in 132 games he led the entire Carolina League in hits (141) and runs scored (104) while finishing second in the league in triples (10) and stolen bases (40).
The 2016 home opener is only 64 days away. Group reservations are now being accepted for all 50 home games, including the 2016 home opener on Thursday, May 19th versus the Sioux Falls Canaries. Get in the game with the X’s by calling 712-277-WINS (9467).
|