Inquisitive Paul DeJong Embraces New Assignment

There were times during Grapefruit League games this spring that Cardinals manager Mike Matheny felt a presence over his shoulder. He had gotten accustomed to middle infielder Paul DeJong approaching with a question.

Why that switch? Why move the fielders there?

“The way he learns—he’s got an interesting mind,” Matheny said. “He thinks a lot more mature than his experience. I think here’s a guy who has actual raw talent, but he’s learning the right things on the fly, like he should be. It’s pretty unique.”

It didn’t take long for the Cardinals to see it in practice. Thrust into the majors against a backdrop of injuries, DeJong, a fourth-round pick in 2014 from Illinois State, started at second base, a position he rarely played since college. He did well enough there that he earned a start at shortstop.

Drafted as a third baseman after playing multiple positions in college, DeJong drew comparisons with Allen Craig for his power and variety of gloves. The Cardinals tested him at shortstop at the Arizona Fall League. He came to big league camp at the position, and when he crossed paths with Hall of Fmaer Ozzie Smith he had questions.

“He’s talking a lot about the ‘flow of energy,’” DeJong said. “It’s always best to keep your momentum going forward or going toward first base. You don’t want to get stuck in the dirt and lose all that momentum.”

DeJong said playing the middle infield gave him a chance to use his feet and his arm more than at third. He also modified his offseason workouts to improve his agility. That did not cost him at the plate. At Triple-A Memphis, he hit .294/.331/.541 with 11 home runs in his first 46 games.

DeJong’s bat got him promoted. His glove now has the Cardinals asking whether it plays enough to remain up the middle.

— Derrick Goold covers the Cardinals for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch