712.277.WINS (9467)

Sioux City, IA- Sioux City Explorers outfielder Jayce Ray will replace X’s shortstop Nate Samson in the 2017 American Association All-Star Team and will represent the Sioux City Explorers in the game set for July 25th at RCGT Park in Ottawa, Ontario, the Capital of Canada. Samson was originally selected to start at shortstop for the American Association All-Stars, but will be unable to play due to an injury suffered on July 7^th.    

Ray got off to a hot start for the Explorers, opening the 2017 season on a 9 game hitting streak and reaching base successfully in each of the team’s first 12 games. The Sonoma, CA native has appeared in all 47 games for the Explorers and is currently hitting .306, which is currently tops on the team for active qualifying players. Ray is also the active leader for the X’s in homeruns (5), hits (56), doubles (10), runs scored (40), RBIs (26), and is 2^nd on the team with 11 stolen bases. His 40 runs scored currently ranks 5^th in the entire American Association.  

Ray was signed by the Explorers after being released by the Boston Red Sox organization on April 1, 2017. Ray began last season with the Single-A Greenville Drive where he impressed with a .378 batting average and was quickly called up to Double-A before finishing the season with the Salem Red Sox, hitting .343. 

Ray began his professional career at the independent level in 2013 playing in the Frontier League for the Windy City ThunderBolts. In 2014, Ray played in the Pacific Association where he won the league’s batting title with a .355 batting average on his way to earning league MVP honors. Ray played for the Wichita Wingnuts in 2015 where he led them with a .310 batting average and 17 stolen bases, to go along with 15 doubles, 35 RBIs, and 57 runs scored. For his efforts, Ray had his contract purchased by the Boston Red Sox following the season. In his 4 professional seasons, Ray owns a career .322 batting average to go along with an impressive .431 OBP. Ray played collegiately at the University of Washington, earning honorable mention all-Pac 12 honors after leading the Huskies in hits, triples, and stolen bases in his junior year.

The X’s will travel to Winnipeg to play a 3 game series versus the Goldeyes July 11-13 before returning home to face the Texas Airhogs July 14-16 and the Salina Stockade July 18-20. For 2017 ticket information to Mercy Field at Lewis and Clark Park, call (712) 277-WINS or visit the X’s website at www.xsbaseball.com.

For complete list of 2017 American Association All-Star selections, please visit: www.americanassociationbaseball.com