TRIPLE-A ARM LENIK JOINS THE PEN
Former Royals Farmhand Signs With X’s
Sioux City, IA (May 5th, 2022) — The Sioux City Explorers have announced the signing of RHP Kevin Lenik to a 2022 American Association Contract.
The 2022 season will be the sixth campaign of professional baseball for Kevin Lenik and his first with the Explorers.
Last season, Lenik briefly pitched in the American Association in both 2019 and last season in 2021 when he pitched for Kansas City. Last season he made two appearances for the Monarchs in back to back games against Fargo-Moorhead. He tossed a pair of scoreless innings combining to strike out three batters and walked two.
In 2019, after being released by the Royals, Lenik stayed in Kansas City with the then named T-Bones, he appeared in three games allowing two runs across three innings with five strikeouts and a pair of walks. He did not pitch against Sioux City.
Following the appearances in 2019 with Kansas City, the 6’5, 225 pound right hander had his contract transferred to the Red Sox organization. He spent the bulk of the season with Double-A Portland and earned a promotion to Triple-A Pawtucket. In 25 games he held a 3-0 record with a 3.93 ERA, he fanned 41 batters in 34.1 innings of work.
The right hander was signed by the Texas Rangers following his collegiate career at CSU Dominguez Hills. He spent a single season with the Rangers before being released. He pitched for the Windy City Thunderbolts of the Frontier League in 2017 and needed only eleven appearances to have his contract transferred to the Royals.
The California native quickly shot up the ranks in the Royals system and spent most of the next three seasons with Omaha in Triple-A. Over his three seasons in Triple-A, Lenik has a 3-3 record and a 4.32 ERA. In 54 games he’s logged 83.1 innings, 84 punch outs and 41 walks with six saves.
The Sioux City Explorers 30th year in Siouxland will begin at MercyOne Field at Lewis and Clark Park on May 17 versus the Lake Country DockHounds. Season, Group and Single Game Tickets are now all on sale and can be purchased by calling (712) 277-9467-