Eppley and Nelson to return from 2015 team
(Waldorf, Md., March 31, 2016) - The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs have announced the signings of RHPs Cody Eppley, Scott Maine, infielder Bryant Nelson, and outfielder Nick Akins.
Both Eppley and Nelson played integral parts in the 2015 Freedom Division Championship team. Scott Maine brings two years of Atlantic League experience to the Blue Crabs pitching staff.
Infielder Bryant Nelson returns for his 23rd professional season and is the oldest player on the Blue Crabs roster at 42 years old. He brings a complete baseball resume, having played in seven different Major League organizations, four countries, and two independent leagues. The Crossett, Arkansas native was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 44th round of the 1993 MLB draft, and made it to the Major League level with the Boston Red Sox in 2002. Nelson enters this season ranking in the Atlantic League top ten in games played (881), at-bats (3,470), runs scored (460), hits (959), doubles (184), and runs batted in (471).
Cody Eppley, 30, is a veteran right-handed pitcher who returns to the Blue Crabs after a successful 2015 campaign. He was a midseason pickup by Southern Maryland and was quickly elevated to the closer’s role, saving eight out of his final 12 games appeared in. Eppley, a Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania native, was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 43rd round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Virginia Commonwealth University. He made his Major League debut in 2011 with the Rangers and went on to pitch at the Major League level for the Rangers and Yankees for a combined three seasons.
Right Handed Pitcher Scott Maine is a West Palm Beach, Florida native who brings Major League pitching experience to the Blue Crabs staff. Maine was drafted three times, having most recently been selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the sixth round of the 2007 MLB Draft. He pitched for the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians for a combined three seasons. The 31-year-old is entering his third Atlantic League season. Last season, Maine pitcher for Bridgeport and went 3-5 with a 5.21 ERA.
Nick Akins, 28, is a Los Angeles, California native who was drafted on three separate occasions, having been selected most recently by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 19th round in 2009 MLB Draft out of Vanguard University of Southern California. He went on to pitch for four seasons in the Dodgers organization, and one season in the Frontier League.
"We have fulfilled needs in every aspect of our team today," said Blue Crabs Manager Jeremy Owens. "Nelson sparked our lineup late last season, and Eppley was an anchor in our bullpen last year. I look forward to handing the ball to Scott Maine and penciling in Nick Akins into our lineup. Their talents will serve us well going forward."
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 play at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland with affordable family fun. The franchise will look to open its ninth season on Thursday April 21st, 2016. Please call 301-638-9788 or visit http://www.somdbluecrabs.com for more information and to reserve your seat at the ballpark today!
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 34 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.
For more information, please visit http://www.atlanticleague.com.
###