ANAHEIM, Calif. — Three days after making history just by being himself, left fielder Paulo Orlando performed a feat that has little precedent in major-league annals.
Orlando became the third Brazilian — and the first non-pitcher — to play in the major leagues when he made his debut Thursday for the Kansas City Royals against the Chicago White Sox. He hit a triple that day, then added two more triples in Sunday’s 9-2 rout of the Los Angeles Angels.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Orlando is the first player in at least 50 years to record triples as his first three major-league hits. During the past five decades, only four players have hit two triples for their first two big-league hits.
Orlando made his second start of the season in place of Alex Gordon, the Royals’ regular left fielder who received the day off. But just being in the major leagues represents a victory for the 29-year-old Brazilian, who played 1,017 minor-league games before becoming a member of a 40-man roster for the first time this year.
A native of Sao Paulo, Orlando began playing baseball as a child with Japanese neighbors. Orlando later became a member of Brazil’s junior Olympic team as a sprinter.
“He flies like a gazelle and he plays great defense in the outfield,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s consistent in all phases of the game.”
Orlando demonstrated that speed twice Sunday. In his third at-bat, Orlando lined a pitch over the outstretched glove of Angels center fielder Mike Trout and raced to third base. In his next at-bat, the Brazilian sent a pitch down the left-field line for another triple. He finished 2-for-5 with three runs scored.
Orlando’s three triples are a third as many as he hit last year for Triple-A Omaha, where he tied for second in the Pacific Coast League in triples (9) and games (136). Orlando also hit .301 with 34 stolen bases and 21 doubles, and played for the PCL in the minor league all-star game.
Though Brazil is best known in sports as soccer’s preeminent power, Orlando views the country as an untapped mine of talent. He represented his homeland during the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
“There’s a lot of talent there and there are a lot of eyes focused on the major leagues,” Orlando said. “I hope that other Brazilians have the opportunity to play in the major leagues.”