• Full name Benjamin Michael Paulsen
  • Born 10/27/1987 in Plymouth, WI
  • Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: L / Throws: R
  • School Clemson
  • Debut 05/22/2014
  • Drafted in the 3rd round (90th overall) by the Colorado Rockies in 2009 (signed for $391,000).
    View Draft Report
    Paulsen's father Tom Riginos is Clemson's assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, and Paulsen has made him proud by being the Tigers' best hitter this season. He's more of a hitter in the Mark Grace mold, with a smooth lefthanded swing. He uses the whole field and ranked second in the ACC (behind only Dustin Ackley) in hits. Paulsen's ultimate value is tied to his power; he's just an average defender and is limited to first base. His lack of patience at the plate works against him in terms of getting to his power, as at times he doesn't work himself into power hitter's counts. Teams that focus on his strong Cape Cod League performance (.290/.335/.497, eight home runs) could pop Paulsen as high as the third round. Skeptics will recall Michael Johnson, a Clemson first baseman drafted 54th overall in 2002 whose slider bat speed made him a 4-A player.

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  • Rated Best Defensive 1B in the Texas League in 2011

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