Felipe Paulino was a very pleasant surprise last season for the Kansas City Royals after the team acquired him in a deal for cash from the Colorado Rockies. Now the fireballer hopes to continue his good fortune in the American League as he returns from an early season injury to make his debut for the Royals in 2012.
Last year, Paulino finished the year with a 4-6 record with a 4.11 ERA in 20 games started. It was a half-run lower than his NL output in 2011, but a major step forward from previous MLB seasons with the Rockies and Astros. It seems as if he’s maturing and settling down as he grows at the professional level and his recent stint with AA Northwest Arkansas bodes well for his continued development.
“I’m just really happy to get back to the mound,” Paulino said. “I’m feeling really strong now, happy, and I’m ready to help the Royals. It’s the Yankees, but I’ll take it like any other team. I’ll just go up there with my game plan and do the best I can do to give a chance to the Royals to win the game.”
The Royals could use another win today against the Yanks to take the series and start their current homestand with a solid showing. The teams split the first two games.
Paulino will face Hiroki Kuroda of the Yankees in today’s third game.
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