Miracle's Delaney Class A's top reliever

By Special to the Fort Myers News-Press

Fort Myers Miracle relief pitcher Rob Delaney was named the Class A Reliever of the Year by milb.com on Wednesday. The 23-year-old split the 2007 season between Beloit and Fort Myers, establishing himself as one to watch in the Minnesota Twins' organization.

Delaney signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Twins in 2006 after pitching three seasons at St. John's University.

He compiled a 3-0 record, with a 1.03 ERA and 36 saves, at Beloit. The right-hander allowed only eight earned runs over 70 innings, while striking out 83.

The River Vale, N.J., native was promoted to Fort Myers in mid-July. He went 2-0, with seven saves and a 1.54 ERA, in 17 games, allowing 19 hits in 23.1 innings. He fanned 27 and walked 10.

"It was kind of surprising," Delaney said in a team news release. "I was just excited with the way things were going. Everything just seemed to work out well this year."