By Blake Haas
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Illinois State University baseball standout Paul DeJong, who was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2015 first-year player draft is making his mark in the minor league system.
DeJong was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 38th round of the first-year player draft in 2014, but came back for his senior year at ISU to develop his game and increase his draft stock.
“It made sense for me to come back,” said DeJong. “I had two years of eligibility left and one year to get my degree. I wasn’t ready to leave ISU yet, especially as a 38th round pick. I knew that I could come back to school and have a great year.
“I just got an opportunity from St, Louis and I’m not looking back. It was a wild ride, a lot of unexpected twists and turns, and not sure where I was going to go. But when St. Louis called in the fourth round, I couldn’t be happier.”
After DeJong was drafted, the Cardinals quickly sent him to the spring training facility in Jupiter (Fla.)
“They sent me to Jupiter to sign my contract and partake in a team physical and then I reported to Johnson City (Tenn.) where I started rookie ball,” said DeJong.
While DeJong was fresh off of the draft, he managed to hit .468 in his first 10 games in the Appalachian League for Johnson City. After his bat impressed many scouts, DeJong was promoted to the Class A Peoria Chiefs, in nearby Peoria.
“Last summer was great when I played in Peoria, I got to see my parents, teammates and friends a lot” added DeJong.
With his friends, teammates and family at a lot of the home games in Peoria, DeJong’s bat lit up the lineup. During his stint in Peoria, DeJong hit .288, while driving in 26 RBIs and 5 home runs. Scouts quickly saw DeJong’s talent and promoted him to Class AA affiliate Springfield (Mo.).
While coming to a new ball club, DeJong went through a rough patch, but by working day-in and day-out it provided a pathway on the right track.
“I had a slow start in April, but I came in and made some adjustments,” said DeJong. “I worked with my hitting coach and manager to help me see the ball better and make more consistent contact.”
DeJong used their advice to come back stronger than ever and was selected to the recent Texas League Class AA All-Star game. He was hitless in three at-bats, while former ISU teammate Eric Aguilera was hitless in two at-bats.
“Being in an elite group with the best players in the league is a tremendous honor to be chosen for it,” added DeJong. “But it was great to make those connections with other great players around the league and having fun.”
Springfield won the Texas League first half championship, giving DeJong the first championship in his career. He hit .251 with 13 home runs and 50 RBIs in the first half.
“I would like to continue to build on the success that I had in the first half,” he added. “As a team, we have already secured a playoff spot, but as far as a player I would like to improve on every aspect of the game. I just want to keep developing and hope for the best.”
Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected]
