Ohio native Joey Murray comes to the Explorers after signing to open spring training with the X’s on May 1. Murray was a two-time MAC Pitcher of the Year in 2017 and 2018 at Kent State and was a Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist in 2018. His stellar collegiate career led to the Toronto Blue Jays calling his name in 8th round of the 2018 MLB draft. Murray would spend five years in the Blue Jays system, reaching AA. He comes to Sioux City after injuries slowed his rise through the Toronto ladder in 2021 and 2022. Murray was a three-year varsity member of Coffman High School in his hometown of Dublin. He went 8-1 with just one earned run in 69 innings and 97 strikeouts his senior year and was named All-State, First Team All-Conference and Conference Player of the Year as a senior.