The Indians are promoting 17-year-old shortstop Dorssys Paulino to Mahoning Valley, making him the youngest player in the New York-Penn League and only the third July 2 signing from 2011 to reach the short-season level.

Paulino, Cleveland's top international signing last summer for $1.1 million, was considered one of the best Dominican hitters in last year's international signing class and has been even better than advertised in his debut. In 41 games in the Rookie-level Arizona League, Paulino hit .355/.404/.610 with six home runs, 15 walks and 31 strikeouts in 188 plate appearances, although with 20 errors there's still plenty of room for growth in the field. Paulino's 1.015 OPS ranked third in the AZL.

Paulino joins Mariners righthander Victor Sanchez and Blue Jays righthander Roberto Osuna (both in the Northwest League) as the only other 17-year-olds from last year's July 2 international signing class in short-season ball. Paulino is making a fast rise and would now appear to be on schedule to start next year in low Class A Lake County as an 18-year-old.