Hankerd, 29, will return to the Blue Crabs for his second season as a member of Crustacean Nation. An Atlantic League All-Star and post-season first team selection, Hankerd was arguably the Crabs most important offensive player in 2013 before being signed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization. In 81 games with the Blue Crabs, Hankerd finished with a team-high 22 homeruns, 61 RBIs, 26 doubles, and .322 batting average.

Before coming to Southern Maryland in 2013, Hankerd was a member of the Winston-Salem Dash of the Chicago White Sox organization in the Carolina League. In 2012 with the Dash, Cyle finished with .325 batting average and 15 home runs in 74 games. In eight professional seasons, the 6’3” 215 right-handed outfielder has compiled 101 home runs and a .297 batting average in 822 games with 516 RBIs.

The Covina, California native was originally selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 44th round of the 2003 MLB Amateur Draft but elected to attend the University of Southern California. He was drafted again in the 2006 MLB Amateur Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 3rd round. He reached as high as Triple-A Reno of the Pacific Coast League in 2010. He has also been a member of the farm systems of the Phillies, White Sox, and Angels.