Bio
Gercken returns to the X’s for his fifth season and is the longest tenured current Explorer on the roster. The hard throwing right-hander has been a mainstay on the Explorers pitching staff. Gercken leads the franchise in appearances, going into the 2024 season at 147. In his career with Sioux City, Gercken has a 3.70 ERA in 148.2 innings, surrendering 61 earned runs with an 11-8 record and two saves. Gercken has recorded 162 strikeouts in parts of four seasons with the Explorers. Last season he made 40 appearances, going 3-3 while yielding 27 earned runs in 41.2 innings with 38 strikeouts. Gercken finished the season with a 1.728 WHIP.
The 2022 season was another strong season for Gercken as he fashioned a 3.38 ERA as a reliever. He went 24 innings while allowing just 18 hits, adding up to a 1.83 WHIP. In 2021, he came into 40 games out of the bullpen, pitching to the tune of a 3.75 ERA with 54 strikeouts over 36 innings. During the COVID year, he went down under to play in the Australian Baseball League for Perth, where he totaled seven innings with two earned runs. 2019 was his first year with the X’s; he had one of his best seasons, posting a 1.91 ERA over 47 innings with a 1.13 WHIP.
Gercken has played internationally in Australia with the Alcohol Think Again Perth Heat of the Australian Baseball League. He would allow two earned runs in seven innings over six appearances out of the pen for Perth in 2020-2021. Gercken did not allow an earned run in his first five innings of relief while with the Heat. He shares baseball history of Perth with Manager Steve Montgomery who also played for the Perth Heat in the 90’s. Gercken was drafted by the Twins in the 17th round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of college, but quickly joined independent leagues, making his way to the Explorers.
Before joining the Explorers, Gercken spent time in other independent leagues. He pitched in the Can-Am Association in 2018 for New Jersey for two years, earning a 2.08 ERA in 2018 and 2.70 ERA in 2017, combining for 81.1 innings. In 2016, Gercken had his first taste of independent baseball, pitching in the Pacific Association, earning a 6.75 ERA over 18.2 innings.
In 2015, he played in the Twins organization late after being drafted out of the Academy of Art. He pitched 35 innings in rookie ball, allowing 26 earned runs in 35 innings with a 6.69 ERA and 1.66 WHIP.
Before going pro, he played three seasons for the Academy of Art Urban Knights. In his final season, he garnered a 2.90 ERA, nearly throwing 100 innings as a starter. In 2014, he had another productive season, pitching a 2.95 ERA over 82.1 innings. In his first year with the Urban Knights, he had a 4.42 ERA over 73.1 innings.