The Amarillo Sox come out of the All-Star Break in last place in the South Division of the American Association. They have struggled for much of the year, winning just 21 games and are 24 games behind the first place Wichita Wingnuts. Entering the All-Star break they had lost seven of their last ten games.

Amarillo is currently ninth in the league in hitting with a .267 average, but are last in runs scored and ninth in home runs. On the mound they have not been that much better, posting a 5.97 ERA, last in the American Association, and yielding an opponent batting average of .309, also last in the league. It has been a disappointing season for them in all facets of the game.

Top Sox Player: Amarillo’s top player is outfielder Derek Perren, who is having an outstanding season at the plate for the Sox. He is batting .317 in 52 games and has added 26 runs scored and 21 RBI. The former USC standout is 20th in the league in batting, and has shown a good eye at the plate, walking 26 times, giving him an OBP of .397.

Top Sox Pitcher: Eric Draxton has taken over the closing role, and has been the most consistent pitcher on the staff, but this is a team with a lot of holes in their pitching unit and so competent is dominant in comparison to the rest. Draxton has pitched in 22 games and has an excellent 2.17 ERA. He is 0-1 with 6 saves, and his save total leads the team. He has given up a very respectable 19 hits in 20.2 innings pitched with 25 strikeouts, but he has also walked 12 batters. He has pitched well for them, but with a little better control of his stuff he could be quite dominate.

Season Outlook: The Amarillo Sox are just riding out the season, as they are virtually all but eliminated from the race for the division crown. The Sox have been making several moves to give some other players a chance to show what they got. Expect this process to continue, as the team looks to improve its prospects for next season.

By Robert Pannier
Senior Baseball Editor
Member of the IBWAA