712.277.WINS (9467)

Kalish, 27, was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 9^th round in the 2006 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Red Bank Catholic High School in New Jersey. Kalish quickly rose through the Red Sox organization and made his Major League debut in 2010 at the age of 22 and recorded his first major league hit in his first at bat off Max Scherzer. He started his big league career going 8 for 16 at the plate, including his first homerun on August 6^th at Yankee Stadium. Kalish ended up playing in 53 games for Boston in 2010, collecting 41 hits including 11 doubles and 4 homeruns, with 24 RBI’s and 10 stolen bases. After the season, Kalish was voted the 2010 recipient of the Harry Agganis Award as the Red Sox Rookie of the Year. Injuries forced him to miss almost the entire 2011 and 2013 seasons, and signed with the Chicago Cubs for the 2014 season. Kalish made the Cubs’ opening day roster and appeared in 57 games, playing all 3 outfield positions.

Prior to joining the big league club in Boston, Baseball America ranked Kalish as the #5 prospect in the Red Sox organization. In 2009 he was named the Red Sox Minor League Offensive Player of the Year as he led all Red Sox minor leaguers in runs (84), walks (68), and total bases (231), and was second in homeruns (18), fourth in RBI’s (77), and tied for fifth in stolen bases (21).

“We’re obviously very excited to have Kalish in an X’s uniform as he’s played at the highest level of baseball for 3 years”, stated X’s 3^rd year field manager Steve Montgomery. “He’ll bring leadership on the field and in our clubhouse and has a very good work ethic as well. We like how he plays the game hard, the right way and hope that rubs off on our younger players.”

In other team news, the Sioux City Explorers have acquired RHP Eddie Cody via trade from the Schaumburg Boomers (Frontier League) in exchange for INF Ino Patron and a player to be named later. In his 2 seasons for the Boomers, Cody compiled an 18-5 record with a 2.81 ERA.

The Explorers 2016 Home Opener will be Thursday, May 19^th versus the Sioux Falls Canaries in a 7:00pm contest. Get in the game with the X’s by reserving your 2016 season tickets or company group outing now by calling 712-277-WINS (9467).