The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs continue to put the finishing touches on their roster as they re-sign Michael Wielansky to this year’s club, while also bringing in pitcher and former Cub Derek Casey, and 29-year-old first baseman Juan Kelly who was with the Blue Jays Organization for seven seasons.
The 27-year-old Wielansky returns to Southern Maryland for this third season as a Crab. The infielder batted .320 with eight home runs and 21 RBI’s last season before he was signed by the San Francisco Giants Organization on May 31st. In parts of his two seasons with the Crabs, his career average is .299, while slugging 16 bombs and driving in 62 runs … The St Louis native was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 18th round in 2018 and has now spent time in two different affiliate organizations as he returns for his third season in Southern Maryland.
Derek Casey, the 28-year-old from Richmond Virginia will enter his fifth professional season, all four of his previous time was spent with the Chicago Cubs organization. The right hander was drafted twice, once by the St Loius Cardinals in 2014 in the 22nd round, then by the Cubs in the ninth round in 2018. Last season, with two different Cubs affiliates, he went 2-1 with a 3.13 ERA, in 23 innings he struck out 34 batters. He pitched collegiately at the University of Virginia posting a record of 16-7 with 3.52 ERA in college with 191 strikeouts in 193 innings.
Coming from the Dominican Republic utility man Juan Kelly joins the Crabs after a lengthy career in the minors with the Blue Jays and has spent the last three years in the Frontier league. In seven years with the Jays, he hit .257, with 41 long balls and 254 RBI’s and 111 doubles. In his four overall years in independent ball, he has a career .299 average, an .881 OPS, 35 homers and 204 RBI’s. He has played the outfield in recent seasons but can also play first and third base as well.