The Sioux City Explorers have announced that the team has signed true-rookie outfielder Jackson Mayo out of the University of South Florida and infielder Zane Denton, who comes over from the Pioneer League, to contracts for the 2026 season.
Jackson Mayo joins the Explorers after playing four seasons at the University of South Florida. The Jacksonville, Florida native started in 54 of 55 games in 2025 for the Bulls and finished second on the team with seven home runs while slashing a line of .233/.333/.415. He would drive in 31 runs and swipe 12 bases, tying for second on the team in that category. Mayo reached base safely in 41 out of 55 games in 2025 for South Florida.
Mayo bats and throws left-handed and can play all three outfield positions. He played 55 games in left field his final season at South Florida after playing 50 games his Junior season in centerfield.
Zane Denton, a switch hitter, made his professional debut last season in the Pioneer League, seeing action with three different teams in 2025 following two stops in the Southeastern Conference.
Denton began his college career at the University of Alabama before transferring to the University of Tennessee. In his only season to take the field for the Volunteers, he was part of a College World Series club that made it all the way to Omaha in 2023.
Denton began the 2025 season with Billings in the Pioneer League. In 21 games he hit .274 with 10 RBI before being placed on waivers on June 28. Northern Colorado/Colorado Springs claimed and signed Denton on July 3. He would go on to play in 49 games for Owls/Sky Sox, slashing a line of .319/.430/.543 with nine home runs and 37 RBI.
Denton would play 74 games in the Pioneer League in 2025, putting up a slash line of .298/.408/.461 while launching nine long balls and knocking in 48 with 19 doubles.
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