Twins sign art school student with 100-mph fastball
The Minnesota Twins' most recent signing has a story like something out of a Hollywood movie, which is fitting because the Twins scout who first saw him was immediately reminded of Rocky IV's Ivan Drago.
Brandon Paulson was pitching for the Academy of Art University when scouts first were wowed by his size and speed, but disappointed in his mechanics and 91-mph heater. Then, a year later, the same Twins scout heard that Paulson was mowing down batters in the California collegiate league, only to show up and see him break the triple digit barrier while closing for the Healdsburg Prune Packers.
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Yahoo Sports has the fascinating full story of how Paulson molded himself into a pro-level pitcher, and it is definitely worth part of your afternoon. Here is just one of the many entertaining anecdotes involved.
When Twins starter Mike Pelfrey saw Poulson for the first time, he turned toward Sean Johnson, the scout who he knew because they both went to Wichita State.
And with the same sort of incredulity people everywhere feel the first time they see Poulson, Pelfrey said: "Who the [expletive] is that guy?"
-Brendan Maloy
