3 Hooks earn player of month honors

MIDLAND, TX Appropriately enough, Richie Paz was named the club's offensive player of the month. Paz batted .409 in April with three doubles, one triple, eight runs and 17 RBI's. He walked 19 times and struck out just five times over the course of 66 at-bats. He finished the month with a 10-game hitting streak and a six-game RBI streak. Paz also posted a league-best on-base percentage of .540 and was Corpus Christi's leader with a .667 batting average with runners in scoring position.

Tommy Manzella was chosen as the team's defensive player of the month. In 25 starts at shortstop, Manzella posted a fielding percentage of .984, tops among all Texas League shortstops. He was involved in 24 double plays, also best for any shortstop on the circuit.

Corpus Christi's pitcher of the month is Bud Norris. In his first season at the double-A level and just his third year of pro ball, Norris is second in the Texas League with 35 strikeouts while his 1.80 ERA ranks fourth in the circuit. Norris is tied for first among Astros' farmhands in wins (3), is first in strikeouts and ranks second in the system in ERA.

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