One look at high Class A Winston-Salem outfielder Paulo Orlando’s speed from first to third made scouts in attendance do a double-take during the Warthogs’ series at Kinston this weekend.

“I’m getting 4.25 down the line,” said one scout from a National League club, “but it seems like he’s 4.25 from first to third. When he gets going, he’s one of the fastest guys I’ve seen this year.”

The 21-year-old doesn’t have that initial quick burst of speed out of the box, but the former Brazilian track champion in both the 100- and 200-meter relays is an 80 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale. And it’s a different kind of 80 speed. It’s not short, sparkplug Joey Gathright-like wheels. Orlando’s speed is long and angular based on his 6-foot-3, 170-pound wiry-strong frame.

Signed out of Brazil in 2005 along with 2006 Futures Gamer Anderson Gomez by assistant general manager Dave Wilder, Orlando is the more advanced hitter of the two.

“It’s impressive how polished his at-bats are, based on his experience level,” the scout said. “He’s got good pitch recognition, plate discipline—he’s got a good idea of the strike zone with some barrel awareness and above-average bat speed. This is a guy.”

Orlando and Gomez were on the same club in low Class A Kannapolis, but Orlando’s game awareness, instincts and presence have advanced more quickly. Being the only Brazilian in the clubhouse can be a lonely situation at times, and Orlando typically uses one of the Latin players on the Warthogs’ roster to translate for him as Spanish is his second language. Portugese is first, and English a distant third right now.

Through 97 at-bats, Orlando has been holding his own on the field, hitting .278/.317/.392.

“He’s a quiet reserved kid that’s still feeling his way through, still trying to find some self-esteem in some ways, I think,” White Sox farm director Alan Regier said. “There’s not a lot of baseball experience with him.”

Orlando started playing baseball when he was 14 on weekends in Brazil with Japanese players who introduced the game to the South American country, but focused mainly on running track.

“He’s legitimately one of the fastest, if not the fastest player in the minor leagues,” Regier said. “And that speed is one thing, but we’re absolutely thrilled with how he’s handled himself, how he’s been patient in the box, his route-running in center field. Even when he doesn’t take the best route in the world, he’s got closing speed to make up for it.”