SoMd selects Crozier

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs have selected OF/1B Eric Crozier from the Barnstormers in the expansion draft.

Crozier had two tours of duty in Lancaster. He was first signed by the team in June of 2006 and was part of the run to the championship. After spending the first three months of last season in Double-A with the Red Sox, Crozier came back to the Barnstormers in July.

During his two stints here, the former big leaguer batted .273 with 15 homers and 45 RBIs in 342 at-bats. He’s a high-walk, high-strikeout offensive player who posted an OPS in the .870 range, which is excellent.

Crozier, 29, didn’t figure in the Barnstormers’ plans and was considering retirement at the end of last season. He has upside because of his athleticism and terrific work ethic. That’s likely what SoMd manager Butch Hobson saw in Crozier.

Other players selected by Southern Maryland: Eric Junge, Bridgeport; Frank Castillo, York; Anthony Ferrari, Camden; John Halama, Long Island; Mike Lockwood, Somerset; R.J. Swindle, Newark.

At first glance, Lockwood is the big name here. He was an All-Star last season and batted .278 with 23 homers and 92 RBIs.

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Other news …

Manager Von Hayes and head of baseball operations Keith Lupton attended a tryout in Arizona last week. Two players caught their eye.

* OF Lloyd Turner: A 6-1, 180-pound utility man, Turner spent six seasons in the A’s system, played for Hayes with Double-A Midland and played some in Triple-A last summer. He’s a speedster with a lifetime .695 OPS who can play second base, shortstop, third base and the outfield.

The Barnstormers hope to add some speed to the lineup, which is a good idea. Turner also provides much-needed defensive versatility. Lest we forget the four-catcher fiasco of 2007.

* RHP: Derek Forbes: A 6-1, 185-pound righthander, Forbes reportedly hit 90 on the radar gun at the workout. He is 8-10 with a 5.64 ERA during his six professional seasons, which include two brief stretches with the Atlantic City Surf in 2001 and 2004.

Forbes has an injury history, including Tommy John surgery, and hasn’t pitched professionally since 2005. But if he’s really hitting 90 on the gun, that would make him an Atlantic League rarity.

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And lastly …

*Closer Derrick DePriest is receiving some interest from the Texas Rangers and the Mexican League. No one from the 2007 team deserves a shot more than DePriest.

*Quincy Foster was not among the 13 players the Barnstormers protected in today’s draft, which is a little surprising. He’s expected to play in Mexico.