Topic: Chad Paronto

Chad Michael Paronto (born July 28, 1975 in Woodsville, New Hampshire) is an American Major League Baseball player who is currently in the Houston Astros organization. Paronto attended the University of Massachusetts before being drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the eighth round of the 1996 amateur draft. Paronto's best pitches include a 90-94 mph fastball and a heavy sinker which he uses mainly with men on base.

Paronto attended Woodsville High School in Woodsville, New Hampshire and was a letterman in soccer, baseball, and basketball. In basketball, he won All-State honors, and scored more than 1,000 points during his high school career. In baseball, he won All-State honors and was named the New Hampshire Player of the Year. Paronto graduated from Woodsville High School in 1993.

In his debut year with the Orioles, Paronto went 1-3 with a 5.00 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 24 games. On November 19, 2001, Paronto was acquired by the Cleveland Indians via waivers.