The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs have announced the signings of LHP Brian Burres, RHP Brandon Poulson, RHP Orlando Santos, and RHP Daryl Thompson.
Returning after a stellar 2015 season is LHP Brian Burres. Burres, 34, was originally drafted by the San Francisco Giants, but made his Major League Debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2006, recording an ERA of 2.25. Coming back for his third season in Southern Maryland, Burres has also spent time in the Toronto Blue Jays Organization and the Pittsburgh Pirates Organization. During his time with the Blue Crabs, Burres has earned 11 wins and a 2.68 ERA.
Brandon Poulson is new to the Atlantic League after spending time in the Minnesota Twins Organization. Signed by the Twins as an undrafted free agent, the Santa Rosa California Native played in the Appalachian and the Gulf Coast leagues. The Academy of Art University alumnus has recorded speeds of 100 MPH while pitching.
Returning for his second season in a Blue Crabs Uniform, Orlando Santos played in the Chicago White Sox organization, while also pitching in the Frontier League. Last season, the 29-year-old posted a 2.91 ERA in 51 games for the Crabs. The San Jose native has posted a total professional ERA of 2.85 in 309.1 innings pitched.
Keeping with the theme of “Homegrown,” La Plata, Maryland native Daryl Thompson returns for his fifth season with the Southern Maryland Organization. Thompson, 30, was originally drafted directly out of La Plata High School by the Montreal Expos and made his major league debut on June 21st, 2008 with the Cincinnati Reds. During his time with the Blue Crabs, Thompson has 26 wins, a 3.81 ERA, and 406 innings pitched, perhaps most memorably throwing a complete game shutout against the Lancaster Barnstormers in game one of the 2015 Freedom Division Championship Series.
“Adding depth to our rotation and bullpen is an integral part of our success this season,” said Blue Crabs Manager Jeremy Owens. “The signings of all these guys adds experience to our clubhouse. Signing Burres, Santos, and Thompson also add familiar faces to the clubhouse and the fans. I am also looking forward to the new energy Poulson brings to our team.”