The Lincoln Saltdogs moved to improve their lineup on Monday, signing free agent Chris Brown.  The Florida native becomes the first player to sign a 2010 contract with the team.

Brown spent the past two seasons with Sussex in the Can-Am League, serving as the starting second baseman for the SkyHawks.  He missed over two weeks early in the season due to injury, but bounced back to hit .272 in 79 games, with a solid .367 on-base percentage.  Chris had a breakout season in 2008, hitting .316 with nine home runs in a league-high 94 games for Sussex.

“Chris is a real versatile player who can help you in a lot of ways,” said Saltdogs manager Marty Scott.  “He’s a good second baseman, but he started his pro career at third base, and he played a lot of outfield in college.  At the plate, he always seems to find a way to get on base, and while he’s not a slugger, he has enough pop in his bat that we could hit him just about anywhere in the lineup.”

Brown finished up his college career at South Carolina in 2006, and then started his pro career that season with Joliet in the Northern League.  He played 28 games for the Jackhammers that season.  Chris appeared in 93 games for Joliet in 2007, beginning the season at third base and then moving to second base two weeks into the campaign.  2010 will be his fifth year in professional baseball.

Season Ten of Saltdogs Baseball begins on May 13 in Sioux Falls, with the home opener scheduled for May 25 against Wichita.  For more team and ticket information, go to www.saltdogs.com.