Halama Drafted By Blue Crabs
Atlantic League officials today announced the results of the 2008 expansion draft. The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, who begin league play this season, selected one player from each of the other seven ALPB organizations. Among those players drafted was former Long Island Ducks starting pitcher John Halama.
"John was an important part of our team last season, and we're disappointed to see him go," says Ducks general manager Michael Pfaff. "At the same time, we're excited for John and this new opportunity, and we look forward to seeing him again when we play Southern Maryland for the first time on May 8 here at Citibank Park."
Halama spent the entire 2007 season in the Ducks starting rotation, earning eight wins in 26 starts. The Brooklyn native allowed just 77 runs in 167.1 innings of work, posting a 4.14 ERA. The southpaw's highlight outing of the season came in a Thursday matinee in Somerset on July 26, when he went a season-high eight innings, allowing just two runs on six hits in a 3-2 Ducks victory. He struck out 93 batters against 46 walks on the year. Halama owns a 53-34 record as a minor league pitcher, and recorded 56 wins over nine seasons at the big league level.
The Blue Crabs selected four other pitchers in the expansion draft in addition to Halama, claiming the rights to Bridgeport's Eric Junge, York's Frank Castillo, Camden lefthander Anthony Ferrari and Newark's R.J. Swindle. The only two position players drafted were outfielders Eric Crozier from Lancaster and Somerset's Mike Lockwood. The seven clubs were each given the opportunity to protect up to 13 players from their 2007 rosters. Southern Maryland acquires exclusive Atlantic League negotiating rights to the players chosen in the draft.
The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are entering their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, please visit
Long Island Ducks Official Site or call (631) 940-3825.