712.277.WINS (9467)

INF HOLDS X’S SINGLE SEASON HITS RECORD

SIOUX CITY, IA – The Sioux City Explorers announced today that INF Nate Samson will play out his option and return for the 2019 season, which marks Samson’s 14^th season in professional baseball, 5^th with the X’s. Samson racked up 141 hits last season, which is a new Sioux City franchise record, topping his previous record he set in 2016 with 137 hits. Samson’s career .335 batting average with the X’s is also 3^rd highest in franchise history.

Samson turned in another impressive season with the X’s in 2018, ranking in the top 10 in the American Association in 5 offensive categories, including leading the league in batting average at .340. Samson was 2^nd in the league in hits (141) and runs scored (79), collected 73 RBIs (9^th in AA), and stole 22 bases (10^th in AA). The X’s shortstop reached base safely in the first 12 games to start the 2018 campaign, and also had a 12 game hit streak later in the season from June 25-July 18. For his efforts, Samson was named an American Association All-Star for the third straight season.

Despite missing 34 games during the 2017 season, Samson finished with a .302 batting average and another American Association All-Star selection. Samson began the season on an impressive 19 game hitting streak, which included 9 multi-hit games.

In 2016, Samson produced one of the best individual seasons in Explorers franchise history, in which he became the franchise’s first player to be honored as the League Player of the Year. Samson ranked in the top 3 in the American Association in 5 offensive statistical categories, including leading the league with 137 hits and in on base percentage at .424. For his efforts, Samson was selected to the 2016 American Association All-Star game in St. Paul where he started for the North All-Stars and went 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Samson originally signed with the Explorers in April of 2014 and began the season on a team-best 12-game hitting streak, owning an impressive .335 batting average. For his performance, Samson had his contract purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 29^th and was assigned to the class Double-A Mobile BayBears. Samson spent the 2015 season in the Dodgers organization after he was selected in the Rule 5 Minor League Draft from the DBacks and finished the season playing for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers.

Samson began his professional career after being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 34^th round of the 2006 MLB Draft out of Forest High School. The Ocala, FL native would spend 8 years in the Cubs system, playing the majority of games at the Double-A level, while spending parts of 2 seasons playing for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs in Des Moines, IA.

The Explorers 2019 home opener will be Thursday, May 16^th versus the Lincoln Saltdogs in a 7:12pm contest. Get in the game with the Sioux City Explorers by reserving your 2019 season ticket packages, flex ticket packages, or company group outing now by calling 712-277-WINS (9467).