Chad Paronto
Encyclopedia
Chad Michael Paronto is an American
Baseball
player. Paronto attended the University of Massachusetts
before being drafted by the Baltimore Orioles
in the eighth round of the amateur draft. Paronto's best pitches include a 90-94 mph fastball
and a heavy sinker
which he uses mainly with men on base. Paronto currently pitches for the Pittsfield Colonials of the Can-Am League
.
in Woodsville, New Hampshire and was a letterman in soccer, baseball
, and basketball
. In basketball, he won All-State honors, and scored more than 1,000 points during his high school career. In baseball, he won All-State honors and was named the New Hampshire Player of the Year. Paronto graduated from Woodsville High School in 1993.
and 16 strikeout
s in 24 games. On November 19, 2001, Paronto was acquired by the Cleveland Indians
via waivers.
Paronto had a decent year in with Cleveland, compiling an 0-2 record, and a 4.04 ERA and 23 Ks. After going 0-2 with a 9.45 ERA and 6 strikeouts in 6.7 innings pitched
, he became a free agent
in the off-season and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals
. After never making it to the bigs with the Cardinals, Paronto signed as a free agent with the Milwaukee Brewers
in December of .
Paronto began the season with the Triple-A affiliate of the Brewers, the Nashville Sounds
. With the Sounds, he went 3-1 with a 2.75 ERA and four saves in 27 relief appearances. However, Paronto was released by Milwaukee on June 17. Paronto signed with the Atlanta Braves
on June 21 and was assigned to the Triple-A Richmond Braves
.
On May 9, 2006, the Braves called Paronto back up to the Majors. He finished the season with a 2-3 record and a 3.18 ERA, proving himself to be one of the more reliable right-handed arms in an otherwise questionable Atlanta bullpen. In his first four appearances with Atlanta, he only allowed one run
.
On Opening Day
, Paronto recorded his first career save in a 5-3 extra-inningvictory over the Phillies
. On July 31, Paronto was optioned to Triple-A Richmond to make room on the roster for newly-acquired first baseman
Mark Teixeira
. He finished the season with a 3-1 record and 3.57 ERA. On October 25, the Braves designated Paronto for assignment. Paronto refused an assignment to Triple-A and became a free agent.
On December 18, 2007, he signed with the Houston Astros
. On March 28, 2008, he was sent outright to the minors. He was called up to the majors on July 6, 2008, but was designated for assignment on July 31. He became a free agent after the season.
Paronto was re-signed to a minor league contract with the Astros on January 14, , and was invited to spring training. Paronto's contract was purchased from Triple-A Round Rock on July 17, 2009 .
On January 20, 2010, Paronto signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox
.
Paronto currently pitches for the Pittsfield Colonials of the Can-Am League
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player. Paronto attended the University of Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts
This article relates to the statewide university system. For the flagship campus often referred to as "UMass", see University of Massachusetts Amherst...
before being drafted by the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
in the eighth round of the amateur draft. Paronto's best pitches include a 90-94 mph fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
and a heavy sinker
Sinker (baseball)
In baseball, a sinker , is a type of fastball pitch which has significant downward and horizontal movement. The sinker is known for inducing a lot of ground balls...
which he uses mainly with men on base. Paronto currently pitches for the Pittsfield Colonials of the Can-Am League
Can-Am League
Can-Am League is the nickname of two baseball leagues:* Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball , a modern independent league.* Canadian-American League , a class C circuit league....
.
High school years
Paronto attended Woodsville High SchoolWoodsville High School
Woodsville High School, in Woodsville, New Hampshire, is a public secondary school located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, serving the communities of Haverhill, North Haverhill, East Haverhill, Woodsville, Mountain Lakes, Bath, Warren, Piermont, and Benton.The school is operated by School...
in Woodsville, New Hampshire and was a letterman in soccer, baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. In basketball, he won All-State honors, and scored more than 1,000 points during his high school career. In baseball, he won All-State honors and was named the New Hampshire Player of the Year. Paronto graduated from Woodsville High School in 1993.
Professional career
In his debut year with the Orioles, Paronto went 1-3 with a 5.00 ERAEarned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
and 16 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s in 24 games. On November 19, 2001, Paronto was acquired by the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
via waivers.
Paronto had a decent year in with Cleveland, compiling an 0-2 record, and a 4.04 ERA and 23 Ks. After going 0-2 with a 9.45 ERA and 6 strikeouts in 6.7 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
, he became a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
in the off-season and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. After never making it to the bigs with the Cardinals, Paronto signed as a free agent with the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in December of .
Paronto began the season with the Triple-A affiliate of the Brewers, the Nashville Sounds
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry...
. With the Sounds, he went 3-1 with a 2.75 ERA and four saves in 27 relief appearances. However, Paronto was released by Milwaukee on June 17. Paronto signed with the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
on June 21 and was assigned to the Triple-A Richmond Braves
Richmond Braves
The Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,...
.
On May 9, 2006, the Braves called Paronto back up to the Majors. He finished the season with a 2-3 record and a 3.18 ERA, proving himself to be one of the more reliable right-handed arms in an otherwise questionable Atlanta bullpen. In his first four appearances with Atlanta, he only allowed one run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
.
On Opening Day
Opening Day
Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball and most of the minor leagues, this day falls during the first week of April. For baseball fans, Opening Day serves as a symbol of rebirth; writer Thomas Boswell once penned a book...
, Paronto recorded his first career save in a 5-3 extra-inningvictory over the Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. On July 31, Paronto was optioned to Triple-A Richmond to make room on the roster for newly-acquired first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
Mark Teixeira
Mark Teixeira
Mark Charles Teixeira , nicknamed "Tex" is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Mostly a first baseman, he has also played third base and in the outfield...
. He finished the season with a 3-1 record and 3.57 ERA. On October 25, the Braves designated Paronto for assignment. Paronto refused an assignment to Triple-A and became a free agent.
On December 18, 2007, he signed with the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. On March 28, 2008, he was sent outright to the minors. He was called up to the majors on July 6, 2008, but was designated for assignment on July 31. He became a free agent after the season.
Paronto was re-signed to a minor league contract with the Astros on January 14, , and was invited to spring training. Paronto's contract was purchased from Triple-A Round Rock on July 17, 2009 .
On January 20, 2010, Paronto signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
.
Paronto currently pitches for the Pittsfield Colonials of the Can-Am League
Can-Am League
Can-Am League is the nickname of two baseball leagues:* Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball , a modern independent league.* Canadian-American League , a class C circuit league....
.