(Waldorf, MD): The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs have announced that right-handed starter Spencer Johnston is returning to the club, and former Randolph-Macon right-handed pitcher Cody Thompson has been inked for the 2024 season.
Johnston returns for his second season with the Crabs. The 25-year-old pitched for three teams last season, but logged the most innings by a sizable margin with the Blue Crabs. The Arlington, Texas native pitched 71.1 innings, and compiled a 3.66 ERA with Southern Maryland, making 11 starts and had a complete game added to his resume. He also had a win-loss mark of 5-3 in Waldorf. Johnston has spent time in the Frontier and Atlantic League during his pro career, which started in 2022, when he had a career best ERA of 2.79 in Joliet in over 50 innings.
The 27-year-old Thompson comes to Southern Maryland entering his fourth professional season. He has logged two seasons in the Frontier league, but is coming off of his best pro season last year with Missoula in the Pioneer League. He had a 3.23 ERA, while going 6-1 for the PaddleHeads. The past two seasons, he has notched over eight strikeouts per nine innings as a reliever. In 2021 with Gateway, he struck out an impressive 43 hitters in 43.1 innings pitched. Thompson has shown versatility in his career, being a starter and reliever, while also closing games in college. He had six saves and six career starts for the Yellow Jackets. Thompson hails from Mechanicsville, VA.
This makes 15 player signings so far this offseason for Southern Maryland, with Opening day set for April 25th at Gastonia.
About the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
The Blue Crabs play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, MLB’s Premier Partner League. The Blue Crabs are set to kick off their 16th season of baseball at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland. For more information on the Blue Crabs, please call 301-638-9788 or visit http://www.somdbluecrabs.com for more information. For media requests, contact Jacob Dunaway at 301-638-9788 ext. 204 or at [email protected]
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
Celebrating its 26th season in 2024, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. ALPB has sent over 1,200 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 45 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks throughout its 26-year history. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com