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AtL Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

Orioles Sign Blue Crabs First Baseman Eric Crozier

June 19, 2009 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release


The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs are proud to announce that the contract of first baseman Eric Crozier has been purchased by the Baltimore Orioles. He is the first Blue Crab to be signed by Baltimore in Southern Maryland's history, in this the franchise's second season.

Crozier, who was recently named to the Atlantic League's All-Star Game as the starting first baseman for the Liberty Division, departs Southern Maryland as the team leader in on-base percentage, slugging percentage and extra-base hits. He also ranked fifth in the Atlantic League in home runs and was eighth overall in batting average. Due to his signing with the Orioles, Crozier will be unable to participate in the Atlantic League's All-Star Game festivities.

This season, Crozier batted .314 through 50 games with eight home runs and 24 RBI. He also led the team with 25 walks, which helped boost his on-base percentage to a robust .400. In the month of June, Crozier picked up his offense even more, batting .380 with four home runs and nine RBI, and left Southern Maryland on an eight-game hitting streak.

Crozier, who came to the Blue Crabs for their inaugural 2008 season, has spent time with the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox organizations. A 41st round draft pick by the Cleveland Indians in the 2000 draft, Crozier spent 14 games in the majors with the Blue Jays in 2004, hitting two home runs and two doubles.

For his entire minor league career, Crozier has logged 911 games, accumulating 115 home runs and 458 RBI, while batting .262.

Crozier becomes the fourth Blue Crabs player and the first position player this season to have his contract purchased by a Major League organization. Pitchers Matt DeSalvo (Tampa Bay Rays), Jim Ed Warden (New York Mets) and John Halama (Atlanta Braves) were the other Blue Crabs to depart for Major League organizations this year.

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