Blue Crabs add more to roster

Friday, March 21, 2008

Crozier, and the newly signed trio of Matt Schweitzer, John Shorsher and Ryan Bicondoa, will join the Blue Crabs roster, bringing the total number of players to 15.

Blue Crabs manager Butch Hobson has penciled Crozier, 29, in as the team’s starting left fielder. The 6-foot-4 outfielder chose to return to the Atlantic League for a third stint after weighing other options.

‘‘I am excited to finally have Crozier’s contract in,” Hobson said. ‘‘I have heard good things about him. He is a veteran guy who has played with an organization. We hope that he can be a leader and a good clubhouse guy.”

Hobson also hopes that Crozier, who plays first base in addition to the outfield, can continue to drive in runs at the plate. Over seven seasons in the minor leagues, Crozier has hit .259 with 378 RBIs and 94 home runs, including 39 from 2003 to 2004.

While with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2004, Crozier recorded two home runs and drove in four runs in 33 plate appearances. Last season, while with Lancaster of the Atlantic League, the Ohio native hit eight home runs and drove in 20 runs in just 39 games.

Crozier, who was originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 41st round of the 2000 draft, will also have to adjust to playing balls off of the tall scoreboard in left field at Regency Furniture Stadium.

Crozier is likely the only one of the seven players selected in the expansion draft who will sign with Southern Maryland.

Bicondoa will join Adam Johnson in the starting rotation. The 29-year-old right-hander played in the New York Yankees organization in 2002 before being traded for former Baltimore Oriole Armando Benitez, who was then with the New York Mets.

In six seasons in the minors, the Western Kentucky product has accumulated a 37-22 record with a 2.87 ERA.

Hobson is familiar with Bicondoa from his days in the CanAm League. Last season, Bicondoa pitched for North Shore, finishing the year with a 10-2 record.

‘‘I am really happy with the fact that we were able to get Bicondoa,” Hobson said. ‘‘I think that he is going to be a good starter for us.”

In addition to Bicondoa, the Blue Crabs will add Schweitzer, a left-handed reliever, to the pitching staff. Schweitzer, also 29, has spent the past eight seasons in independent leagues, accumulating 39-28 record and a 3.31 ERA.

Schweitzer most recently pitched for Kansas City in the Northern League. The 6-foot-1 lefty is the fourth relief pitcher signed by the Blue Crabs.

As the starting catcher, Shorsher, a former sixth-round draft pick of the San Diego Padres, will handle the pitching staff. According to Hobson, Shorsher is a solid defensive catcher, who can get the ball to second base in 1.85 seconds.

‘‘Adam is a guy who can catch and throw real well,” Hobson said. ‘‘He has a strong arm and a good pop time, so he will be good for us defensively. He is fair on offense, but that is something I can help him with.”

In six seasons in the minors, the San Jose State product has posted a career batting average of .256. He spent last season playing for Fargo in the Northern League, but has also spent time playing in Edmonton with Terrence McClain and George Sandel, who the Blue Crabs signed two week ago.

The Blue Crabs acquired Shorsher’s contract from the Northern League in February. Shorsher is the second catcher signed by Hobson in the past two weeks.

The roster breakdown now includes five infielders, three outfielders, two starting pitchers, four relievers and one designated hitter. The team can take 26 players to spring training in Lakeland, Fla. in mid-April.

sdemedis@somdnews.com