The Atlantic League announced today that the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs will be represented by four members of its team at next Wednesday’s All-Star Game in Camden, NJ. Right-handed pitcher Nick Green, left-handed pitcher Charlie Manning, catcher Christian Lopez, and outfielder Casey Benjamin were all named to the Liberty Division team.

The selections were made based on fan voting, as well as media votes and manager votes from each of the league’s eight teams.

Nick Green will make his second appearance at an Atlantic League All Star Game after being selected as the starting pitcher during last year’s game.   Green, who is currently 4-5 on the season with a 3.72 ERA, leads the Blue Crabs pitching staff with 61 strikeouts.  Green was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 11th round of the 2003 draft.

Charlie Manning will make his first All-Star appearance for Southern Maryland. The left-handed relief pitcher is averaging a little over a strikeout per innings pitched with a very impressive 2.67 ERA.  He has 31 strikeouts and 16 walks in 30.1 innings pitched.

A driving force behind the plate, catcher Christian Lopez who is currently in his eighth year in professional baseball, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2003. He spent six years in the Rays organization, reaching as high as Triple-A Durham in 2007 before making his Atlantic League debut in 10’.  Lopez has done a great job handling the Blue Crabs pitching staff, establishing himself as a solid defensive catcher, throwing out 40% of runners. 

Casey Benjamin is by far one of the team’s most consistent power hitters. He is hitting .291 with seven homers and 32 RBI while serving primarily as the cleanup man. Benjamin has shown much versatility this season, playing all over the diamond at first base, second base, and in the outfield as well. Benjamin was picked up by the Reynosa Broncos in May, but soon returned to Southern Maryland to give the team an offensive boost.   After debuting as a professional in 2003, Benjamin advanced as far as Triple-A Oklahoma City in the Rangers system, before coming to the Blue Crabs in 2010. In 907 games as a pro, Benjamin boasts an on-base percentage of .355.

“I’m extremely excited and happy for my players for making the 2012 Liberty Division Atlantic League All-Star Team.  Those four selected are a great group of guys, and they are the perfect choices to represent Southern Maryland in the All Star Game.  It’s a great honor and experience that hopefully they will remember for a long time to come,” said Blue Crabs Manager Patrick Osborn.

The 2012 Atlantic League All-Star Game, presented by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, is Wednesday, July 11 at 7:05 p.m at Campbell’s Field. Preceding the game, there will be a celebrity softball game presented by “Jaws Youth Playboo