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Giannotti & Grube Return, Crabs Sign Two More

March 23, 2010 - Atlantic League (AtL) Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Manager Butch Hobson has announced the official signing of four more players, with spring camp set to begin in just 20 days on April 12. Outfielder Richard Giannotti and pitcher Jarrett Grube are returning to the Crabs after spending last season with the club. More pitching depth has been added with relievers Reid Santos and Connor Robertson. Robertson has Major League experience in parts of two seasons.

The versatile switch-hitter Richard Giannotti returns to Southern Maryland as a likely everyday starter in the corner outfield a season after serving in a platoon role. Giannotti played all three outfield positions a season ago, batting all over the order including leadoff. Despite playing in just 86 games due to the Blue Crabs outfield depth, Giannotti produced like an everyday player all season long. He batted.293 with five homers and 39 RBI in that time. Entering his sixth professional season, Giannotti was originally drafted by the Anaheim Angels in 2004 from the powerhouse University of Miami program. He also has time in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, the Golden League, and previously played for Butch Hobson in the Can-Am League for the Nashua Pride in 2007, helping lead the Pride to a league title. Giannotti's productive '09 season came after he was forced to sit out all of 2008 with a foot injury.

Right-hander Jarrett Grube will begin this season with the Blue Crabs after he joined the squad mid-season in '09 from the Colorado Rockies organization, where he pitched at Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Colorado Springs to start the year. Although primarily used as a reliever during his time in Colorado's system, Grube excelled as a starter for Southern Maryland last season. In 16 total appearances he started 12 times, and put together a 3-1 record with a 3.36 ERA. He struck out 56 opposed to just 21 walks in 75 innings. Entering his seventh pro season, Grube was selected in the 10th round of the 2004 draft by the Rockies out of the University of Memphis.

Eight-year veteran Reid Santos has also signed on, joining an already deep Blue Crabs bullpen. The lefty spent his first six seasons in the Cleveland Indians organization, after being selected by the Tribe in the 2002 draft. By 2008 he reached Triple-A with the Indians, before joining the Minnesota Twins in '09, spending all of last season with Triple-A Rochester. In 206 professional games, Santos is a capable starter as well. 18 of his 68 career starts came last year with Rochester. Santos boasts a rather impressive strikeout to walk ratio, entering this season with 517 career punch-outs and just 183 walks in 587 professional innings.

Capping the latest round of signings is right-handed reliever Connor Robertson. Entering his seventh pro season, Robertson reached the Major Leagues briefly in 2007 with the Oakland Athletics, and then again in 2008 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Robertson finds his way to Southern Maryland after spending last season with the New York Mets organization at Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Buffalo. He was drafted by Oakland in 2004, and remained in that organization through '07. In 273 career games (all in relief), Robertson is 29-18 lifetime in the majors and minors combined. (374 innings pitched.) He also adds 36 career minor league saves to a Crab bullpen already overflowing with many closer options. 11 of those saves came last season for Binghamton.

This announcement brings the latest count of official signings for the 2010 season to 21 players. It is expected at least 30 players will be in spring camp with the Blue Crabs before the roster is trimmed to 27 active players to begin the season, and then again to 25 by June 1. Fans looking to stock up on Blue Crabs gear before the season are encouraged to visit the Crab Shack Team Store at Regency Furniture Stadium. Store hours are currently Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and everything in the store is discounted from 25 to 50% off.

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs are a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, and play at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland. The franchise is entering its third season in the spring of 2010, coming off the team's first playoff appearance and Liberty Division Title in 2009. The 2010 Home Opener is Friday, April 30 at 7:05 p.m. against the Long Island Ducks. Please call 301-638-9788 or visit www.somdbluecrabs.com for more information and to save your seat at the ballpark today!

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Atlantic League Stories from March 23, 2010


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