AtL Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

Two Blue Crabs Receive 2014 Post-Season Honors

Published on October 27, 2014 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release


WALDORF, MD- The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) has announced that two Southern Maryland Blue Crabs players have been selected to the 2014 Post-Season Second-Team.

First baseman C.J. Ziegler and utility player Jake Opitz were selected by the league for their outstanding play at their respective positions.

Ziegler, 28, posted a .276 average with 17 home runs and 79 RBI in 547 plate appearances in 2014, but it was his defense that garnered him Second-Team honors. In 91 games at first base, Ziegler posted only four errors and earned a .995 fielding percentage. The 2014 season was Ziegler's first in Southern Maryland.

Opitz filled a variety of roles for the Blue Crabs in 2014 and was able to maintain a batting average of .282 with 18 home runs and 78 RBI. Opitz was also able to make his mark defensively by posting a .990 fielding percentage in 71 games at second base. 2014 marked Opitz's second season with the team after spending much of his career in the Chicago Cubs organization.

At the conclusion of every season, the ALPB selects players from its eight independent clubs for First-Team and Second-Team honors. Players are selected based on how well they performed compared to other players at their respective positions. The league-champion Lancaster Barnstormers were able to contribute five players to First-Team and Second-Team rosters, but the Somerset Patriots led all ALPB teams with seven selections across the two rosters.

"Each season it seems as if the quality of our All Star team gets better," said Joe Klein, Executive Director of the Atlantic League. "We are proud of the quality of play in the Atlantic League and feel the quality of play is increasing each season. The 2014 All Star team is an example of what I mean, the league is quite proud of them."

The Blue Crabs play 140 regular season games in the Atlantic League, considered the highest level of Minor League Baseball. Atlantic League players are "Major League ready" and in the last 16 years, over 600 players have graduated from Atlantic League clubs to Major League organizations, making the League a preferred route for experienced players to be scouted by Major League Baseball. The Blue Crabs play at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland. The franchise will look to open its 8th season on Friday, April 24, 2015. 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 October 27, 2014


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