Paul, Rodriguez, Navarreto and Clay Named Florida State League South All-Stars

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 1, 2017) - The Fort Myers Miracle, Advanced-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, are proud to announce that infielder Chris Paul, RHP Dereck Rodríguez, LHP Sam Clay, and catcher Brian Navarreto have been selected to participate in the 2017 Florida State League All-Star Game.
Miracle Manager Doug Mientkiewicz notified his players of their selections. "We are very proud of our representatives. We understand how hard it is to make an All-Star team. We know that Sam, Dereck, Chris and Brian will represent the Minnesota Twins and the Fort Myers Miracle with class."
Paul enters June as the FSL leader in hits with 66 in 49 games. The Twins' sixth round pick of 2015 is pacing the league with a .351 batting average. He has racked up 16 doubles to go along with three home runs, 28 RBI and 27 runs scored. Paul also collected a pair of walk-off hits in May, including a game-ending home run on May 16 against the Clearwater Threshers.
Rodriguez has been a workhorse at the top of Fort Myers' rotation. He has failed to complete five innings just once in 2017 and has pitched through the sixth in six of his nine starts. The son of soon-to-be Hall-of-Famer Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez converted from an outfielder to a pitcher after the 2013 season and has pitched to a 2.95 ERA with 43 strikeouts over 55 innings in 2017.
Navarreto's assertive defense has propelled him to an All-Star Selection. He has caught 18 of 36 runners to throw out a staggering 50 percent of would-be base-stealers. The backstop has committed just two errors in over 300 innings of catching as well, and has been extremely effective blocking pitches this season.
Clay went 5-0 and pitched to a 2.48 ERA through the first two months of the season with 32 strikeouts in 29 innings. The lefty dealt 25 consecutive innings without allowing a run, the longest scoreless streak for any Miracle pitcher this year.
"Brian, Chris, Dereck and Sam have all had great starts to the 2017 season," said Miracle Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ben Hemmen. "Their outstanding individual efforts warrant an All-Star selection and build momentum for our entire team heading into the second half of Florida State League play."
The 2017 Florida State League All-Star Weekend will take place in Lakeland, Florida at the newly renovated Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on June 16 & 17. An All-Star Weekend Reception with Police vs. Sherriff Softball Game will take place on June 16. The 2017 FSL All-Star Game will take place on June 17 with the Home Run Derby happening prior to the game. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.lakelandflyingtigers.com.
To stay up to date on upcoming promotional nights, follow the Miracle online at Miraclebaseball.com or through social media; Twitter: @MiracleBaseball, Instagram: fortmyersmiracle, Facebook: Fort Myers Miracle, Snapchat: ftmyersmiracle. To purchase tickets, visit MiracleBaseball.com/tickets. For further information or questions regarding the 2017 25^th Anniversary Season, call the Miracle offices at (239) 768-4210.