X’S ADD METS FARMHAND
Thomas McIlraith Signs With Sioux City
Sioux City, IA (April 12th, 2022) — The Sioux City Explorers have announced the signing of RHP Thomas McIlraith to a 2022 American Association contract.
The 2022 campaign will be McIlraith’s seventh season of professional baseball and his first with the Explorers and in independent baseball.
Drafted by the New York Mets in the 20th round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of the University of Oklahoma, Thomas McIlraith has only known the Mets farm system. He spent all six seasons of professional baseball with the Metropolitans affiliates reaching as high as Double-A.
McIlraith becomes another former Mets prospect and member of the 2017 Columbia Fireflies squad to sign with the Explorers. Other names include Blake Tiberi, Brandon Brosher, Max Kuhns and Matt Pobereyko.
Last season the right hander pitched exclusively for Double-A, Binghamton and went 1-2 with a 6-23 ERA in 14 games. He struck out 30 batters in 21.2 innings and walked 15.
McIlraith has been a reliever over the last three seasons after initially breaking into pro ball as a starter. Out of the bullpen with Binghamton and High-A St. Lucie, McIlraith has combined to pitch in 65 games, 116-2 innings with an ERA of 4.16, struck out 115 batters, and picked up a save.
The 28 year old was at Oklahoma for a single season as a reliever where he made 13 appearances and authored a 6-39 ERA. His first two seasons of collegiate ball were played at Midland College in Texas.