Three Flying Tigers Named to 2013 All Star Game

Three Flying Tigers Named to 2013 All Star Game
Lakeland Flying Tigers
06/05/2013 4:52 PM ET

The Florida State League (FSL) 2013 All-Star teams have been announced by League President Chuck Murphy. Starting pitcher Kyle Ryan, closer Melvin Mercedes, and outfielder Jeff McVaney will represent the Flying Tigers at the 52nd annual FSL All-Star Game. Relief pitcher Will Clinard was also selected but was recently promoted to Erie (AA). The north will be led by the Flying Tigers coaching staff as a result of the Flying Tigers 2012 FSL Championship. Manager Dave Huppert, hitting coach Larry Herndon, pitching coach Mike Maroth, strength and conditioning coach John Gentile and trainer Corey Tremble will all be honored during the weekend. The game will take place at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin, home of the Dunedin Blue Jays, on Saturday, June 15 at 7:05 p.m.

Starting pitcher Kyle Ryan currently leads the Flying Tigers with wins (5), innings pitched (68.0) starts (11) and is second on the team with 39 strikeouts. Ryan's 68.0 innings pitched is currently second in the FSL. Ryan was selected by the league as the Pitcher of the Week April 15-21. This is Ryan's fourth professional season. He was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 11th round of the June 2010 draft. Ryan was born in Auburndale, Florida and played high school baseball at Auburndale High School. He was an All-County selection by The Ledger in 2010.

 Reliever Melvin Mercedes is currently 2-0 with a 0.76 ERA. He has allowed only two earned runs all season in 23.2 innings pitched. Mercedes has 8 saves which ranks 3rd in the FSL. Mercedes leads all FSL relievers with the fewest baserunners per nine innings (7.99). He also ranks 3rd in the FSL with 16 games finished. This is Mercedes sixth professional season. He was signed by the Tigers as a non-drafted free agent on March 4, 2008.  

Flying Tigers outfielder Jeff McVaney has been added to the Florida State League (FSL) All-Star team.  

McVaney leads the Flying Tigers in most offensive categories including hits (60), runs scored (27), doubles (13), triples (5) and home runs (5). He also leads the team and the FSL with 58 games played and 233 at-bats. This is McVaney's second professional season. He was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the eighth round of the June 2012 draft. McVaney played collegiately at Texas State University.  

Tickets for the FSL All-Star Game are available by calling the Dunedin Blue Jays at  (727) 738-7020  or by visiting www.dunedinbluejays.com. The Flying Tigers are a Class A Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. For more information please visit the Flying Tigers online at www.LakelandFlyingTigers.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.