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.