AtL Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

Lopez, Giannotti Return to Blue Crabs

Published on February 8, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release


Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Manager Patrick Osborn has announced the official signing of two more players to the 2011 Blue Crabs team. Catcher Christian Lopez and outfielder Richard Giannotti are returning to the Crabs after spending last season with the club.

Christian Lopez returns to Southern Maryland for his second year with the ball club coming off of a stellar year that enabled him to make the Postseason All-Star Team as the best defensive catcher in the Atlantic League. In 810.1 innings behind the plate, Lopez threw out more than half (39-for-76) of the base runners who tried to steal off of him. At the plate Lopez hit .274 with seven homers and 41 RBI in 94 games. He also led the team with a .429 average in July.

A seven year professional, Lopez was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2003. He spent the last six years in the Rays organization, reaching as high as Triple-A Durham in 2007 before making his Atlantic League debut in 10'.

The versatile switch-hitter Richard Giannotti returns to Southern Maryland for his third year with the ball club. Giannotti played all three outfield positions a season ago, batting all over the order. Despite playing in just 91 games, Giannotti proved to be a fan favorite and valuable contributor, as he delivered several key hits throughout the 2010 campaign. Entering his seventh 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 in the Can-Am League for the Nashua Pride in 2007, helping lead the Pride to a league title.

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 2011 season is presented by the Civista Health Foundation. The franchise is entering its fourth season in the spring of 2011, coming off the team's second playoff appearance in 2010. Please call 301-638-9788 or visit www.somdbluecrabs.com for more information and to save your seat at the ballpark today!

Check out the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Atlantic League Stories from February 8, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central