Xavier Paul facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Xavier Paul |
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Paul with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: February 25, 1985 Slidell, Louisiana, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| May 7, 2009, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| August 29, 2014, for the Arizona Diamondbacks | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .250 | ||
| Home runs | 12 | ||
| Runs batted in | 71 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Xavier Brooks Paul Jr. (born February 25, 1985) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. These teams included the Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Early Life and High School Success
Xavier Paul grew up in Slidell, Louisiana. He was a talented baseball player from a young age. While attending Slidell High School in 2003, he was an amazing player. He hit for a high average of .391. He also hit nine home runs and stole 18 bases.
Playing for Team USA
His skills earned him a spot on Baseball America's High School All-American team. He also played for Team USA. He hit .444 for Team USA at the 2003 Pan American Games. He even won a gold medal with the Junior National Team in 2001. In 2003, he was named "Mr. Baseball" for the state of Louisiana.
Xavier Paul's Baseball Journey
Xavier Paul's professional baseball career began in 2003. He was chosen by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round of the MLB Draft. This was a big step for him.
Starting with the Dodgers
Paul began his professional journey with the Ogden Raptors. He played so well that he was named to the Rookie League All-Star team. In 2004, Baseball America recognized his strong arm in the outfield. They also saw him as one of the Dodgers' top young players. He continued to play well in the minor leagues.
Moving Up the Ranks
In 2007, Paul played for the Double-A Jacksonville Suns. He hit .291 and stole 17 bases. He was chosen for the Southern League Mid-season All-Star Team. He then moved up to the Las Vegas 51s in 2008. He hit .316 in 115 games for them.
Making it to Major League Baseball
Xavier Paul started the 2009 season with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. On May 7, 2009, he got his big chance. He was called up to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball. He made his MLB debut that same day. His first major league hit came three days later against the San Francisco Giants. Soon after, he hit his first home run against the Florida Marlins.
Dealing with Injuries
After his exciting start, Paul faced some challenges. He had to deal with injuries that kept him off the field. He spent time on the disabled list to recover. In 2010, he played in 44 games for the Dodgers. He continued to work hard, even with more injuries. In 2011, after playing in seven games, the Dodgers decided to make a change.
Playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates
On April 26, 2011, the Pittsburgh Pirates picked up Xavier Paul. He played in 121 games for the Pirates that season. He hit .254 and stole 16 bases. After the season, the Pirates decided to release him.
Time with Other Teams
Paul continued his baseball journey, signing with different teams. He signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals in December 2011. He was later released in July 2012.
Joining the Cincinnati Reds
He then signed with the Cincinnati Reds on July 7, 2012. He played for their Triple-A team, the Louisville Bats. The Reds called him up to the major league team on July 18, 2012. He became a free agent in December 2013.
Later Career Stops
Paul signed with the Baltimore Orioles in December 2013. He later joined the Arizona Diamondbacks in August 2014. He played a few games for them before being released. In November 2014, he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. He was released by them in March 2015.
Playing in Mexico and Retirement
In 2016, Xavier Paul played for the Delfines del Carmen in the Mexican Baseball League. He was released in June 2016. He later signed with the Texas Rangers in 2017. His last team was the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in 2018. Xavier Paul officially retired from baseball in the 2018–2019 offseason.
