WALDORF, Md. — The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs announced their 2025 coaching staff on April 18, 2025, led by returning manager Stan Cliburn, with former MLB Assistant Hitting Coach Jason Camilli as hitting coach and Jason Blanton, a member of the team’s inaugural 2008 roster, as pitching coach. The announcement, shared via the team’s official channels, sets the stage for the Blue Crabs’ 17th season in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, opening April 25 against the High Point Rockers at Regency Furniture Stadium.
Jason Camilli brings 19 years of professional hitting coach experience, having worked across all levels of Minor League Baseball with the Washington Nationals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, and Oakland Athletics organizations. In 2022, Camilli served as the assistant hitting coach for the Philadelphia Phillies, contributing to their World Series appearance and consecutive National League Championship Series runs in 2022 and 2023. His coaching resume includes 12 Instructional Leagues and a stint with the Arizona Fall League in the Diamondbacks’ system. A former second-round pick (44th overall) by the Montreal Expos in 1994, Camilli played nine seasons as an infielder across the Expos, Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, and Los Angeles Angels organizations. This marks his first season with the Blue Crabs.
Jason Blanton, who pitched for the Blue Crabs in their 2008 debut season with a 4-2 record and 3.20 ERA, returns as pitching coach. Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1998 and the Chicago Cubs in 2001, Blanton compiled a 5-6 record with a 2.42 ERA in affiliated ball. His coaching career began in 2014 with the Seattle Mariners’ Pulaski Mariners and Everett AquaSox. In 2016, he worked under Cliburn as pitching coach for the New Britain Bees in the Atlantic League. Blanton later coached in the Cleveland Indians’ system with the Lake County Captains (2017) and Mahoning Valley Scrappers (2018-2019), followed by the Boston Red Sox organization with the FCL Red Sox (2021-2022) and Salem Red Sox (2023). This is his first year as the Blue Crabs’ pitching coach.
Stan Cliburn, entering his seventh season as manager, brings a wealth of experience with over 2,015 minor league wins, ranking him 14th all-time. In 2022, Cliburn led the Blue Crabs to a franchise-record 83 wins and a .727 first-half win percentage, the best in Atlantic League history at the time. “I’m happy to be returning to manage the Blue Crabs for the 2025 season!” Cliburn said. “We will have some new faces joining the team for this upcoming season, and I am excited to hit the baseball trails to find the right fit for a successful on-field campaign for 2025!” General Manager Courtney Knichel added, “Stan is one of the most accomplished managers in minor league history, and this franchise has had many successes under Stan’s leadership.”
The Blue Crabs, representing Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties, have made three playoff appearances under Cliburn, including a Freedom Division Championship in 2015. The 2025 coaching staff, combining Camilli’s MLB pedigree and Blanton’s dual experience as a player and coach with the team, aims to build on this legacy. Fans can expect a competitive season as the Blue Crabs prepare to face a 126-game schedule, with 63 home games.
