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Hankerd And Pope Return, Sox Sign Spradlin

February 27, 2012 - American Association (AA)
Amarillo ThunderHeads News Release


AMARILLO, TX - The Amarillo Sox announced the signing of 2011 Amarillo standouts Cyle Hankerd and Van Pope to the 2012 squad along with the new addition of veteran pitcher Jack Spradlin.

The 27 year-old Hankerd was signed by the Sox last year after five successful years in the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system, advancing as high as triple-AAA Reno in 2010. In 70 games for the Sox, the 6-3, 180 lbs right-hander hit .355 with ten homeruns and 74 RBI. The Covina, California native earned 99 hits before being picked up by the Philadelphia Phillies organization on July 31; the first Sox player to be picked up by a major league organization. He hit .248 with six homeruns and 23 RBI in 31 games for advanced single-A Clearwater before being released in the offseason.

Pope returns to the Sox after a successful 2011 campaign where he hit .299 with ten homeruns and 61 RBI. The 28 year-old right-handed third baseman was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 5th round of the 2004 draft. The Jackson, Mississippi native was a star in the Atlanta farm system, advancing up to triple-AAA Gwinnett in 2009. In 2007, Pope was named the fifth best prospect in the Braves organization. After a short stint as a pitcher in 2010, Pope was released and picked up by the Sox mid-season in 2011. He is a defensive standout at third, with a .952 career fielding percentage.

27 year-old Chula Vista, California native Jack Spradlin joins Amarillo after five successful years in the Washington Nationals organization and a 2011 campaign for York of the independent Atlantic League. The 6-2, 205 lbs left-hander was drafted in the 8th round of the 2005 draft and advanced up to triple-AAA Syracuse twice before being released. He is expected to join the Sox rotation with returning starters Matt Elliott, Justin Garcia and Ryan Mitchell.

Spradling and Hankerd were teammates from the University of Southern California in 2005.

For more information about these signings, contact the Sox office.

Season tickets are currently on sale and are available for purchase in-person by visiting the Sox Front Offices at 801 S. Polk or over the phone by calling (806) 242-4653. For more information on tickets, game times and schedules, promotions, marketing opportunities, and everything else Sox, visit the "Official Website of the Amarillo Sox" at www.amarillosox.com.



American Association Stories from February 27, 2012


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.

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