Paul DeJong Stats & Scouting Report

AB	337
AVG	.228
OBP	.275
SLG	.43
HR	18

Full name Paul Sterling DeJong
Born 08/02/1993 in Orlando, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Illinois State
Debut 05/28/2017
Drafted in the 4th round (131st overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015 (signed for $200,000).

View Draft Report

DeJong focused more on baseball after knee injuries he sustained while playing high school basketball cost him most of his freshman and sophomore seasons. He redshirted as a freshman at Illinois State but he's hit for robust power the last two seasons while playing a variety of positions. The Pirates drafted him in the 38th round in 2014, but couldn't sign him and he went on to hit 20 home runs in the Northwoods League. DeJong has a sound, aggressive swing with good plate coverage and above-average raw power that plays; he led the Missouri Valley Conference with 14 home runs. He has some swing-and-miss but makes enough contact, particularly if he moves behind the plate. He's caught infrequently in his career while also playing second base and some right field as the 2015 season drew to a close. He has solid-average arm strength, if not a tick above-average, though his slot tends to wander. He shows more feel for catching the more he plays the position but hasn't ever done it consistently. In a draft thin on catching, DeJong could go out as one, as early as the third round.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

When DeJong took the field for his first workout at the Arizona Fall League, he began taking grounders at third base before doing a quick head count. He was one of three at the corner. There was only one at shortstop. That's because, his manager Aaron Rowand later revealed, the Cardinals wanted him to play shortstop after seeing him handle it in 11 games with Double-A Springfield. DeJong played mostly third with some second base and catcher mixed in for Illinois State, and the Cardinals are intent to see if he can be an everyday shortstop at Triple-A Memphis in 2017. Power plays. Where is the only question. DeJong received a $200,000 bonus in 2015 and instantly became one of the Cardinals' top power prospects. They were intrigued by the exit velocity off his bat, the paws and forearms that generate bat speed and thus distance, and of course an eagerness to swing big. DeJong does not get cheated and will trade strikeouts for homers; he ranked fifth in the Texas League in homers (22) but second in strikeouts (144). He has improved his sense for the difference between pitches to drive and pitches to survive. DeJong has playable footwork for shortstop and a strong, true arm. He's expanding his range with positioning and experience. If he can stick at a premium position, he'll follow Allen Craig's route as a bat with a variety of gloves.
DeJong signed for $200,000 as a 2015 fourth-round pick and immediately became one of the Cardinals' top power hitters. He hit 20 home runs in the wood-bat Northwoods League in 2014, when the Pirates failed to sign him as a 38th-round pick, then hit 14 more in the spring for Illinois State to lead the Missouri Valley Conference. DeJong's power comes from solid strength, an aggressive swing and strike-zone judgment. He is not afraid to take a big cut, which leads to some swings and misses, but the Cardinals will take the trade for the power. Knee injuries prompted him to take a redshirt year as a freshman in 2012. While he played catcher occasionally as an amateur, including six games in 2015, he likely won't reprise the role as a pro thanks to his knees. He played second and third base as well as the outfield corners on occasion for Illinois State and profiles best at third base as a pro because he has arm strength and good hands and below-average speed. He should be agile enough to handle the hot corner, however, and should join fellow 2015 draftee Harrison Bader in the 2016 lineup at high Class A Palm Beach.

Draft Prospects

DeJong focused more on baseball after knee injuries he sustained while playing high school basketball cost him most of his freshman and sophomore seasons. He redshirted as a freshman at Illinois State but he's hit for robust power the last two seasons while playing a variety of positions. The Pirates drafted him in the 38th round in 2014, but couldn't sign him and he went on to hit 20 home runs in the Northwoods League. DeJong has a sound, aggressive swing with good plate coverage and above-average raw power that plays; he led the Missouri Valley Conference with 14 home runs. He has some swing-and-miss but makes enough contact, particularly if he moves behind the plate. He's caught infrequently in his career while also playing second base and some right field as the 2015 season drew to a close. He has solid-average arm strength, if not a tick above-average, though his slot tends to wander. He shows more feel for catching the more he plays the position but hasn't ever done it consistently. In a draft thin on catching, DeJong could go out as one, as early as the third round.

Minor League Top Prospects

DeJong hit 13 home runs in 48 games in Memphis before the Cardinals called him up, and he quickly morphed into one of big club's most potent offensive players with plus power while starting games at shortstop and second base. DeJong worked extensively with Memphis manager Stubby Clapp on his form at shortstop early this season. "His aptitude is outstanding," Clapp said. "He just needed to learn how to use his feet to get his momentum through the ball, to help his arm get it across the infield. He's average in terms of range, but if he gets to the ball, he's going to catch it." Because DeJong doesn't command the strike zone--he had six times as many strikeouts as walks this season--he probably won't hit for a high average. "He's able to hit off the fastball and make adjustments," Clapp said. "He makes hitting as basic and easy as you can."
DeJong always hit while at Illinois State. He posted slugging percentages right around .600 each of his final two seasons, while hitting for average and getting on base. He showed the same advanced all-fields approach in a pro debut that concluded at Peoria. "He makes really good adjustments from game to game and from at-bat to at-bat, and sometimes within the at-bat," Peoria manager Joe Kruzel said. DeJong fits perfectly the Cardinals' proclivity for drafting productive college bats with defensive questions. He projects as an above-average hitter who draws enough walks to post above-average on-base percentages as well. DeJong never found a permanent defensive position in college. He played second base, third base, right field and even catcher, but the Cardinals stuck him at third base. He impressed evaluators with a stronger-than-average arm, solid hands and enough range.

Career Transactions

SS Paul DeJong elected free agency.
Chicago White Sox traded SS Paul DeJong to Kansas City Royals for RHP Jarold Rosado.
Toronto Blue Jays activated SS Paul DeJong.
St. Louis Cardinals traded SS Paul DeJong and cash to Toronto Blue Jays for RHP Matt Svanson.
St. Louis Cardinals traded SS Paul DeJong and cash to Toronto Blue Jays for RHP Matt Svanson.
St. Louis Cardinals activated SS Paul DeJong from the 10-day injured list.
St. Louis Cardinals sent SS Paul DeJong on a rehab assignment to Memphis Redbirds.
St. Louis Cardinals sent SS Paul DeJong on a rehab assignment to Palm Beach Cardinals.
St. Louis Cardinals placed SS Paul DeJong on the 10-day injured list retroactive to March 27, 2023. Back injury.