Michael Lang Returns to Explorers
January 21, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release
Sioux City Explorers Outfielder Michael Lang at the Plate
(Sioux City Explorers)
SIOUX CITY, IA - The Sioux City Explorers announced today that the club has re-signed OF Michael Lang to a 2016 American Association contract. Lang will return for his 4th season with the X's and 5th season in professional baseball. With the re-signing of Lang, the X's have now secured two of their top position players back from their record breaking 2015 season in which the Explorers were crowned Central Division Champions and set a new league record with 75 wins.
Lang, 27, started his professional career with the Explorers back in 2012 following a stellar career at Rutgers University, where he still ranks in the top ten in six offensive categories and was named to the 2011 Big East All-Conference Second Team. Lang played in 34 games for the X's in 2012 and posted an impressive .405 batting average while collecting 49 hits including 7 doubles, 3 triples, and 4 homeruns. For his performance, Lang had his contract purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks and played the remainder of the season for the Yakima Bears in the Northwest League, while spending the 2013 season playing for the Single-A South Bend Silver Hawks.
Lang returned to the Explorers for the 2014 and 2015 seasons and was a big factor in the X's 2015 record breaking season. "I'm excited to have Lang back in an Explorers uniform. He was near the top of the league in several offensive categories despite missing time with an injury", stated field manager Steve Montgomery. "He is a 5 tool player and we are excited to have him back again."
Even after missing 19 games during the 2015 season, the Dumont, NJ resident still managed to rank in the top 5 in 4 statistical categories in the American Association. Lang led the entire American Association in 2015 in triples (10), was second in the league in stolen bases (45), and scored the third most runs in the league (75), while holding the league's 4th highest batting average at .343. For his outstanding 2015 season, Lang was named to the 2015 American Association All-Star Team and was also named the American Association Player of the Week during the week ending July 5th in which he helped the Explorers go 6-1 over the week by collecting 14 hits in 30 at bats, with a double, 3 triples, and 7 RBI's.
"I just want to thank Sioux City and the organization for having me back for another season", commented Lang. "Last year we had a heck of a season and while it was a record setting season, unfortunately we weren't able to bring home a championship. I'm very excited to be back and really looking forward for what's in store for 2016. I know how hard everyone has worked this offseason and it will pay off for the entire organization."
The 2016 home opener is slated for Thursday, May 19th versus the Sioux Falls Canaries. 2016 season ticket packages and 2016 flex ticket packages are on sale now - to get in the game with the Sioux City Explorers, call 712-277-WINS (9467).
Images from this story
 Sioux City Explorers Outfielder Michael Lang |
 Sioux City Explorers Outfielder Michael Lang Slides into Second |
 Sioux City Explorers Outfielder Michael Lang at the Plate |
• Discuss this story on the American Association message board...
American Association Stories from January 21, 2016
- T-Bones Re-Sign Catcher Erie - Kansas City Monarchs
- Michael Lang Returns to Explorers - Sioux City Explorers
- Canaries Sign Former Twins Prospect for 2016 Season - Sioux Falls Canaries
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
