He’s been a high school all-state and a college All-American. Now Garrett Olson is a minor league all-star.

Midwest League (Class A) managers have selected the former Oxford Hills and Franklin Pierce College star to start at third base for Tuesday’s all-star game, to be played in Midland, Mich.

“I was a little bit shocked, but obviously I was excited,” said Olson, 23, from South Paris.

“It shows other people are seeing that I’ve been playing well,” he added. “There are a lot of third basemen in this league that could be selected, so to be chosen is great.”

Olson was one of seven Beloit Snappers selected but is one of only two picked to start.

Going into the weekend, he was batting .236 with four home runs, 36 RBIs and 29 runs scored in 64 games. He started the season playing mostly shortstop but has seen more time at third base and first base lately due to injuries.

“He’s been a very helpful guy for us, playing a lot of positions,” Beloit manager Nelson Prada said. “He has good value as a utility guy.”

Olson got off to a strong start this season, hitting .278 in April, after posting a .219 average for the Snappers last year. He cooled off to .231 in May and .159 so far in June, but he was 4-for-13 in his last three games.

“I’ve been struggling a little bit lately, but it’s been a case of hard luck. It’s one of those things, you hit the ball hard and you hit it right at somebody,” he said.

Prada said Olson has been swinging the bat better this year and also impressed his fellow managers with his attitude and leadership.

“He’s been trusting his hands more at the plate,” Prada said. “He’s been seeing the ball better and getting himself better counts to hit in.”

“He deserves this,” Prada added. “(The other managers) like the way he plays the game. He’s pretty aggressive. He does the right things when he plays the game. He’s pretty secure when he’s playing defense.”

The Minnesota Twins drafted Olson with the 126th pick in 2006.

The Midwest League season is split into two halves and the first half ended Sunday with the Snappers failing to secure a playoff spot.

“The second half is always a fresh start,” Olson said.