(Waldorf, Md., June 26, 2019) - The New York Mets announced on Wednesday afternoon that the former Blue Crab, Chris Mazza, is headed to the MLB for the first time in his career.
Mazza, in his eighth season of professional baseball was watching the Mets game on TV on Tuesday night when he was notified that he would be heading to the MLB. Some 20 hours prior to Mazza’s dreams coming true, the right-hander learned that he was selected to the 2019 Triple-A All-Star Game, the first time in his career with All-Star honors. After receiving the call he had been waiting for his whole life, Mazza likely won’t mind missing the All-Star festivities, as his reaction to the MLB call up told the whole story, “I was holding back tears”.
The newest New York Met was pitching in a Blue Crabs uniform less than a year ago. He was signed by Southern Maryland on July 13th, 2018, and obliterated his competition throughout a brief stint in the Atlantic League. Mazza passed the eye test from the first time he stepped on to the mound at Regency Furniture Stadium, and his stats were there to back it up. He pitched in nine games, making one start for the Blue Crabs last season while tossing 21.2 innings, posting an eye-popping 0.41 ERA while fanning 20 batters.
The Seattle Mariners purchased Mazza’s contract from the Blue Crabs on August 15th, 2018, and the fire-balling righty finished the season with the Double-A affiliate of the Mariners before signing with the New York Mets organization in 2019. He spent the first few months of the season flipping between the Mets’ Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies and the Triple-A Syracuse Mets before becoming a dominant and steady force in Triple-A. With Syracuse, Mazza posted a 3.67 ERA in over 70 innings, while striking out a whopping 65 batters.
About the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
The Blue Crabs play 140 regular season games in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs. The Blue Crabs, in their 12th season of baseball, call Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland home. For more information on the Blue Crabs, please call 301-638-9788 or visit http://www.somdbluecrabs.com for more information.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
With eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history.
For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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