He spent the first three years of his professional career gradually moving up the minor league ranks, and in 1999 he spent the season split between the
Kinston Indians,
Akron Aeros, and
Buffalo Bisons. With Kinston, he had a 4–2 win-loss record, a 2.28
earned run average (ERA), and 75
strikeouts in 23 games; his performance led to him making the major league roster in September. DePaula made his major league debut on August 31, 1999, and had a 4.63 ERA in 11 games. He also pitched five innings in the
1999 American League Division Series facing off against
Pedro Martínez. DePaula pitched in 13 games in 2000, but tore a tendon in his elbow in April and September 2001, causing him to miss that season. He spent most of 2002 in Buffalo, but did pitch five games for the Indians. At the end of the season, he was released and signed with the
Cincinnati Reds. In 2003, DePaula played 10 games for the Reds' Triple-A affiliate, the
Louisville Bats, and had a 6.17 ERA. He was released partway through the season and retired. ==References==