Brian Barton Signs

Crabs bring back OFs Brian Barton and Cyle Hankerd; Sign RHP Eric Massingham

Looking to bolster his bullpen and lineup, Blue Crabs manager, Lance Burkhart, added three more players to his 2014 roster. On Friday, he announced the signing of outfielders Brian Barton and Cyle Hankerd along with the addition of right-handed pitcher Eric Massingham. Barton will be entering his fourth season in Southern Maryland while Hankerd will be returning for his second stint as a member of Crustacean Nation and Massingham will be entering his first season with the Crabs.

Barton, 31, will return to the Blue Crabs for a third straight year and fourth in his career. After missing significant time due to injury, Barton ended 2013 with a .262 batting average and 19 doubles in 97 games. The right-handed hitting outfielder enters 2014 fourth in franchise history in hits (350), doubles (63), triples (14), and batting average (.291).

Before coming to Southern Maryland, Barton spent a majority of his career playing Triple-A ball as part of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves farm organizations. Barton also appeared in 83 games for the Cardinals and Braves as a utility outfielder with a .268 average, 23 runs, 41 hits, 13 extra-base hits and 13 RBIs from 2008-09.

The Los Angeles, California native was originally signed by Cleveland as an amateur free agent in 2005 and made his major league debut on April 1, 2008 for the Cardinals. Barton last appeared in a major league uniform for Atlanta on June 3, 2009.


(smnewsnet.com)