712.277.WINS (9467)

OUTFIELDER CURRENTLY HOLDS 4 FRANCHISE RECORDS

SIOUX CITY, IA – The Sioux City Explorers announced today that the club has re-signed OF Michael Lang to a 2018 American Association contract. The 2018 season will mark Lang’s 7^th season in professional baseball, 6^th with the X’s. 

Lang will return to Sioux City for his 6^th season with the Explorers, where he began his professional career in 2012. Lang currently holds Sioux City single season franchise records for most runs scored in a season (83, 2016), most triples in a season (10, 2015), and most stolen bases in a season (45, 2015). Lang also holds the Explorers career record for triples with 25. The Dumont, NJ native has also recorded the second most career hits as an Explorer with 444, only 85 hits behind Nolan Lane’s 529 career hits with the X’s from 1993-1998.

Last season Lang appeared in 90 games for the Explorers, leading the team with 64 runs scored and 5 triples. In 2016, Lang appeared in 89 games and led the entire American Association in runs scored with 83. He ranked near the top of several other offensive categories for the Explorers that season, including accumulating 103 hits (4^th), 22 doubles (2^nd), 5 triples (2^nd), and 30 stolen bases (3^rd).

Lang’s best season came during the Explorers record breaking 2015 season, where he ranked in the top 5 in 4 statistical categories in the American Association. Lang led the league in triples (10), was second in stolen bases (45), and scored the third most runs (75) while holding the league’s 4^th highest batting average at .343. For his outstanding 2015 season, Lang was named to the 2015 American Association All-Star team. 

Lang began his professional career with the Explorers in 2012 and played in 34 games with the X’s, posting an impressive .405 batting average. For his performance, Lang had his contract purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks and played the remainder of the season for the Yakima Bears in the Northwest League. Lang spent the 2013 season in the DBacks organization playing for the Single-A South Bend Silver Hawks. 

Lang played collegiately at Rutgers University from 2008-2011, where he still ranks in the top ten in six offensive categories and was named to the 2011 Big East All-Conference Second Team.

With the signing of Lang, the X’s now have 12 players (8 pitchers, 4 position players) signed to 2018 contracts.  

The Explorers 2018 home opener is set for Friday, May 25^th versus the Cleburne Railroaders.  Get in the game with the Sioux City Explorers and reserve your 2018 season ticket packages, flex ticket packages or company group outing by calling 712-277-WINS (9467).