Michael Paul Paradis was born on May 3, 1978, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He attended Auburn High School in Auburn, Massachusetts. He was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 7th round of the 1996 amateur draft, but decided to go to college instead, attending Clemson University. He struggled there, but his high upside prompted the Baltimore Orioles to draft him in the 1st round of the 1999 amateur draft. He never had great success at any level in the minor leagues and was released in 2004.