Paulino's Latest Adventure Comes Out of Left Field

Carlos Paulino was once again making the best of his circumstances Saturday night when the Bradenton Marauders took the field for a Florida State League game against the visiting Tampa Yankees.

Primarily serving as backup to Florida State League All-Star catcher Ramon Cabrera and other catchers rehabilitating from injuries -- think big leaguers Chris Snyder and Ryan Doumit -- Paulino had only played 45 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Class-A Advanced team since being sent to the organization from the Florida Marlins March 30.

Despite what the original lineup card showed Saturday and the best efforts of a rain delay, Paulino fielded a different position for just the second time in his career.

Paulino’s enthusiasm was apparent earlier in the day when Marauders manager Carlos Garcia told him he might go to left field. However, enthusiasm was not enough to overcome a learning curve.

“It was kind of fun,” Paulino said. “When Carlos called me this morning and told me that I might be playing left field, I said, ‘let’s have fun and see how it goes.’”

Fortunately, Paulino could rely on that night’s intended starting left fielder, Adalberto Santos, coach Milver Reyes and starting center fielder Evan Chambers for the finer points of positioning and playing hitters. Paulino's moment came when he handled a pop-up for the third out in the top of the second inning.

That pop-up was Paulino’s lone chance in the game. His fielding percentage from the left field position and from second base, where he had one assist as a member of the Marlins’ Gulf Coast League team in 2008, are both 1.000.

The 6-foot, 170-pound native of the Dominican Republic, who will be 22 on Sept. 24, prides himself on the defensive aspects of catching such as calling a game, blocking pitches, and throwing out runners. After hitting .293 in a combined 45 games with the Gulf Coast League Marlins and Jamestown Jammers of the New York-Penn League in 2009, Paulino hit .184 in 64 games with Greensboro of the South Atlantic League and batted .125 in three games with Jupiter of the Florida State League.

Combing the advice he has received from three-time National League All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez of the Marlins with what he has learned from Reyes and hitting coach Ryan Long this season has produced results. Going into Tuesday night’s game at Clearwater, Paulino was hitting .305 this season with 10 doubles, three triples, two home runs, 24 runs scored and 19 RBI.

“(Ramirez) just taught me about hitting,” Paulino said. “He always told me to be the type of hitter you need to be and the type of hitter you ought to be. Don’t try to be somebody else because you’re not.”

Following his first foray as an outfielder, Paulino worked at first base during pregame workouts for Sunday’s series finale against Tampa. He has also received a little practice time at third base this season, but he will not abandon the shin guards, chest protector and mask in the near future.

On Sunday, Paulino replaced Doumit behind the plate in the top of the eighth. With the game tied at one and Robbie Grossman at second with one out following a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the ninth, Paulino gave Bradenton a 2-1 walk-off win with a groundball single to right field.

“I came (to the Pirates’ organization) ready for the battle and ready to do my best every time,” Paulino said. “I’m just trying to enjoy it. I just want to be out there playing and doing my best. I’m a catcher, but if they need me to play left field, I will go. I will always do my best.”