712.277.WINS (9467)

SIOUX CITY, IA – The Sioux City Explorers announced today that the club has signed RHPs Brad Orosey and Keith Picht to 2017 American Association contracts. The 2017 season will mark Orosey’s 6^th season and Picht’s 5^th season in professional baseball, with the upcoming season being each’s first with the Explorers after each were recently acquired by the X’s from American Association teams this offseason.

Orosey was acquired by the X’s via a trade with the Lincoln Saltdogs on November 15, 2016. The right hander brings experience to the Explorers pitching staff, pitching five seasons in independent baseball, including the last three seasons in the American Association (Fargo-Moorhead, Wichita, and Lincoln). Last season for the Saltdogs, Orosey had a 4-3 record, tossing 43.1 innings while appearing in a career high 40 games, striking out 49 batters to just 15 walks. Orosey started his professional career in 2012 pitching for the Alpine Cowboys in the Pecos League, earning a 4-1 record in 7 starts, while accumulating 44 strikeouts to just 7 walks in 43.2 innings pitched. Orosey has also pitched in the United Baseball League and Frontier League in his career.

Prior to beginning his professional career, Orosey enjoyed a stellar collegiate career at Texas Lutheran University where he still holds American Southwest Conference records in career wins (32) and career strikeouts (332). Orosey earned All-American honors in each of his first two seasons after going 10-1 in each of those seasons for the Bulldogs, including tossing a no hitter in 2010. For his collegiate career, Orosey owned a record of 32-6 with an impressive 2.86 ERA, tossing 13 complete games (3 shutouts), racking up 332 strikeouts to just 86 walks. 

Picht was claimed off of waivers by the Explorers on October 13^th, 2016 from the Joplin Blasters. Picht was a workhouse for the Blasters last season appearing in 41 games (9^th most in AA), eating up 56.2 innings out of the bullpen, finishing with a 3.34 ERA and 61 strikeouts. Picht started his professional career with the Kansas City T-Bones in 2013 and spent the 2014 season with the Frontier Greys (Frontier League) before spending the last two seasons in Joplin.     

With the signings of Orosey and Picht, the X’s now have 7 players signed to 2017 contracts (3 position players and 4 pitchers). 

The Explorers begin their 25^th season in Siouxland on Thursday, May 18^th versus the Sioux Falls Canaries in a 7:05pm contest. Get in the game with the X’s by reserving your 2017 season tickets or company group outing now by calling 712-277-WINS (9467).