The Sioux City Explorers have announced the signing of RHP Joe Riley.
The 2021 season will mark Riley’s second season in pro ball and with Sioux City.
Riley made his professional debut with the X’s on August 24, 2019 against the Kansas City T-Bones. He appeared in three total games that season tossing four innings of shutout baseball, striking out two in the process.
He threw a few innings in the 2019 postseason. In the South Division Championship Series. In game one against Kansas City he tossed two innings striking out three batters. He also recorded a scoreless inning in game one of the American Association Finals against St. Paul.
Prior to the X’s the 6’1, 185 pound right hander played collegiately at Lewis-Clark State in Lewiston, Idaho. In 2019, his senior season, he was the Warriors primary closer, collecting five saves over 15 appearances. He had a 2.55 ERA over 17.1 innings where he struck out 19 batters and was a part of their NAIA World Series team. In his two seasons at Lewis-Clark State Riley collected 10 saves and 41 strikeouts in 31 games.
Before Lewis-Clark State, Riley had shown he was a more than capable bullpen arm at Reedley College in California. There the Alameda native notched 14 saves to earn All-State Reliever honors. He struck out 26 batters over 27.2 innings of work with a 3.25 ERA to also earn First-Team All League and First-Team All-Central Valley Conference honors.
Riley did not play during the 2020 season.
The Sioux City Explorers 29th year in Siouxland will begin at MercyOne Field at Lewis and Clark Park on May 18th versus the Houston Apollos.