The Lexington Legends are doing something they haven’t done since they were an affiliate for the Houston Astros, they are competing for a divisional championship and a playoff berth. Legends last winning season came in 2010 and their last playoff appearance was 2006. The way the playoff system works in the South Atlantic League is that the season is divided into halves. The winners of the first half and second half from each division (North & South) play in the opening rounds with the winners playing for the championship.
The Legends have worked themselves into contention by winning their last nine games. They came into the season as one of the youngest, if not the youngest team, in the SAL. They are led by a trio of 19-year-old players. Nick Prato is the number one prospect for the Kansas City Royals and was named MVP of the All Star game this season. He is batting .251 with 7 home runs and nineteen doubles. Catcher MJ Melendez, the sixth best prospect in the Royals farm system, has 14 homers and 17 doubles. Seuly Matias, the ninth best prospect, has hit a team record 28 homer runs, that is 14 shy of the all time mark in South Atlantic history. Lexington leads the league in runs scored, and stolen bases. They are second in home runs with 104.
The Legends are 18-14 in second half play and are in a dead heat with Greenville. The Rome Braves won the Southern Division first half title with Lakewood winning the Northern Division. Lexington sits at 55-45 overall on the year. The Legends open a three game home stand starting tonight (7/27) against the winners of the first half the Rome Braves. Attendance for Lexington has been great, 4400 average fourth best in SAL, but they need everyone to come out. There are 35 games left in the regular season and 18 of those will be at Whittaker Bank Ballpark. Be sure to get out and help cheer the Legends to a playoff berth!
