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Wayne Dotson | 1979-1983 | Estacado High School | Baseball

One of the most talented athletes to come out of Estacado High School was Wayne Dotson. His athletic talent was such that he excelled in both football and baseball, but baseball was the sport where he truly shone. It didn’t take long for him to establish himself as one of the most talented and promising young baseball players in the region.

Wayne was a standout starting pitcher for the Matadors from 1980 to 1983. Throughout his high school career, he developed a reputation for his powerful pitching arm, precise control, and competitive drive, all of which contributed to his rise as a dominant force in Texas high school baseball.

During his senior year of 1983, Dotson played a pivotal role in leading the Matadors to an impressive 27 and 4 overall record, culminating with a District Championship. For his Estacado career, Wayne had 46 wins and only nine losses. From his sophomore to his senior year, he was All-District and All-City all three years. Dotson was also selected as a First Team All-State player in his sophomore and senior years and as a Second Team All-State player in his junior year.

In 1983, Dotson’s senior year, he was selected to the All-American team and was rated number 9 out of the top 100 best baseball players in the nation. His prolific baseball skills and the recognition and awards he received at Estacado caught the attention of professional baseball scouts across the country.

Their confidence in his ability was validated in the 1983 MLB Amateur Draft when the Detroit Tigers selected Wayne in the first round as the 15th overall pick. Such a high draft position was a clear indication of Dotson’s exceptional skill set and the promise he held as a potential major league pitcher. After three years in the minors, Dotson made the 1986 roster for the Detroit Tigers. Later that year, an injury to his throwing arm would end his baseball career, but he had reached the ultimate in baseball.

Dotson’s baseball career cemented his legacy as one of the premier high school pitchers in Texas. He is remembered as one of the greatest from Estacado, Lubbock, and the region. That’s saying a lot when one looks at the proud baseball heritage of West Texas. It’s a heritage that Wayne Dotson helped build.
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