By Greg Halbleib
ST. LOUIS – Former Illinois State University baseball standout Paul DeJong is enjoying his first week in the big leagues on the Cardinals roster.
DeJong hopes his versatility as a second baseman, third baseman and catcher keeps him there.
PODCAST: Listen to Marc Strauss’ interview with DeJong on WJBC.
“I think my value as a player is playing multiple positions and being able to be in the lineup at multiple spots, then letting my bat play and do what I do at the plate,” DeJong told WJBC’s Marc Strauss. “Combine that with playing solid defense at any of my three positions really helps my value. I kind of just expect to be moved around, honestly.”
DeJong said extra time around the big league club during spring training helped him adjust to actually being on its roster now.
“I think first of all, I developed a relationship with all the big league staff,” DeJong said. “All of the people I’m working with here right now, players, coaches, management, administrative people, trainers, everyone. So when I got here, there wasn’t a huge shock.”
DeJong admitted to enjoying playing alongside familiar names, but said he’s not starstruck.
“I kind of got over a little bit of that shock this spring training, being out there on the field with some big-name guys,” DeJong said. “Once you get down to it, it’s all in between the lines the same game, so that’s what brings me comfort when I’m out there.”
Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].
