Schlotman's baseball journey continues with Sioux City Explorers

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Kobey Schlotman's baseball journey has reached the professional level as the former Mount Mercy all-American and Clinton LumberKings pitcher recently signed a contract with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Professional Baseball.

Schlotman, a left-hander who played for LumberKings manager and Mount Mercy Head Baseball Coach Jack Dahm in the Prospect League, pitched in four games during the 2021 campaign and made one appearance this summer before signing with the Explorers. He is the second LumberKings player to sign a professional contract since joining the Prospect League in 2021.

Schlotman was the Heart of America Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year and an NAIA second-team all-American for the Mustangs this spring. In his second season with Mount Mercy, he went 9-1 and led the Heart and ranked fourth in the nation with a 1.64 earned run average. Schlotman threw four complete games with 105 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 71-1/3 innings.

Schlotman, a native of Coralville, Iowa, and Clear Creek Amana High School, began his collegiate career at Ellsworth Community College where he threw in the mid-80s. After a gap year and a stop at the University of Iowa, he arrived at Mount Mercy to play for Dahm, who recruited him out of high school and eventually got him to join the Mustangs.

Schlotman said he felt that professional baseball could become a reality midway through his senior season at Mount Mercy. "In the middle of this year when we were playing really good teams like Central Methodist and I had double-digit strikeouts with velos up in the low-90s, I think I realized I could do this."

After the 2022 season came to a close for the Mustangs, Dahm had been in contact with several pro teams about Schlotman. "Right after the season a team from Great Falls, Mont., called me. I wasn't sure I wanted to go that far," said Schlotman.

He pitched well in his lone outing in Clinton in early June, then got a call from Sioux City, one of two teams from the American Association of Professional Baseball to show interest. "Sioux City and the Chicago Dogs showed interest in me as well, but I have family in Sioux City so I felt like this was the best option."

Although his professional career is just beginning -- Schlotman has made two appearances out of the bullpen so far for the Explorers -- his goals are clear. "I want to continue to play baseball as long as possible and see how good I can get. Hopefully I can keep moving up the ladder and eventually sign a contract with a Major League team."