712.277.WINS (9467)

BAUM AND GLEASON SIGN WITH X’S

SIOUX CITY, IA – The Sioux City Explorers announced today that the club has signed INF Jay Baum and also re-signed INF Dre Gleason to 2018 American Association contracts. The 2018 season will mark Baum’s 5^th season in professional baseball and Gleason’s 2^nd season in professional baseball.

Baum was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 21^st round of the 2014 MLB Draft from Clemson University. Baum spent 4 seasons playing in the Mariners organization, making it to Double-A last season. Baum was named an Organizational All-Star in 2016 playing for the Advanced-A Bakersfield Blaze where he accumulated 132 hits, including 28 doubles and 9 homeruns, while also producing 78 RBIs and scoring 71 runs. 

Baum finished last season playing for the independent Sussex County Miners of the Can-Am League where he finished with a .291/.354/.442 slash line. The Alpharetta, GA native really impressed this winter playing in the Australian Baseball League where his .439 batting average set a new league record. His 61 hits were also tied for most in the league and his 18 doubles and .791 slugging percentage were also good for tops in the league. Baum’s rights were acquired by the Explorers on February 22^nd via a trade with the Sussex County Miners.

Baum played collegiately at Clemson University for three seasons where he hit for a career .253 batting average with a .342 on base percentage in 167 career games before being drafted and signing with the Mariners following his junior season.  Baum was one of the team’s most versatile players defensively, as he saw action at all four infield positions as well as the outfield.

Gleason made his professional debut last season after being signed by the Explorers on July 4^th, following a stellar collegiate career at Austin Peay State University. Gleason would appear in 42 games for the Explorers in 2017, finishing with a .273/.336/.328 slash line. Prior to joining the X’s, Gleason played 4 seasons at Austin Peay where he ranks 4^th in career RBIs (170), 7^th in career homeruns (31), and 7^th in career doubles (49). During his senior season for the Governors, Gleason was named to the Midseason Golden Spikes Award Watch List by USA Baseball (given annually to the best amateur baseball player in the nation), becoming the first Austin Peay baseball player to be named to the list. Gleason finished his senior season hitting .332 while posting career highs in homeruns (12) and RBIs (56).  

With the signings of Baum and Gleason, the X’s now have 20 players (12 pitchers, 8 position players) signed to 2018 contracts. In other team news, OF Tony Campana has signed with Aguascalientes (Mexican League). 

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).