Ronny Paulino

Infobox MLB player
name=Ronny Paulino

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width=300
position=Catcher
team=Pittsburgh Pirates
number=26
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1981|4|21
birthplace=Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
debutdate=September 16
debutyear=2005
debutteam=Pittsburgh Pirates
statyear=2008
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.278
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=19
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=128
teams=
*Pittsburgh Pirates (by|2005-present)

Ronny Leonel Paulino (born April 21, 1981 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Paulino signed as a non-drafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization on December 29, by|1997, at the age of 16. In by|2002, he was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the Rule 5 Draft, but he was returned to the Pirates in spring training of the following year. After making his major league debut in September mlby|2005 with the Pirates, Paulino was selected to the Dominican Republic team for the 2006 World Baseball Classic as a backup catcher. The highlight of the World Baseball Classic for Paulino came on March 13, when Paulino started at catcher against the Cuban team. Paulino went 2 for 2 with a double, 3 walks, and 1 run scored in the Dominican's triumph over Cuba. On April 16, mlby|2006, Paulino was recalled to the Major Leagues and quickly became the Pirate's every day catcher. As his time in Pittsburgh progressed, Paulino developed a reputation for lazy play. This reputation, and his on-field performance led to his demotion to Triple-A Indianapolis, as management would give Ryan Doumit the bulk of playing time behind the plate with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Paulino was praised by the Pirates' pitching staff as an excellent catcher to work with. The staff ERA is markedly better when Paulino is behind the plate. [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06161/697211-63.stm Post Gazette]

His .310 batting average made him the first rookie catcher since Mike Piazza to play in at least 100 games and bat at least .310. He is only the second rookie catcher since mlby|1969 to have those numbers. [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06270/725318-63.stm Post Gazette]

External links