Paul DeJong Bio
Paul Sterling DeJong (də-YUNG; born August 2, 1993) is an American professional baseball shortstop and third baseman who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, and Washington Nationals. A native of Orlando, Florida, DeJong played college baseball at Illinois State University (ISU). He was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2015 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2017 with the Cardinals, leading National League (NL) shortstops in home runs that season with 25. In 2019, he was named an All-Star and led NL shortstops in fielding percentage, assists, putouts, and double plays.
Early Life and Background
Paul DeJong was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, before moving to Antioch, Illinois, at the age of 11. His parents are Keith and Andrea DeJong, and he has a brother, Matthew, and a sister, Emma. From a young age, DeJong was exposed to baseball, often attending Little League games with his mother, who recalls a coach predicting his future in the major leagues when he was just five years old. DeJong graduated from Antioch Community High School in 2011, where he excelled as a senior, batting .430 with four home runs and 30 runs batted in (RBIs), leading his team to a 21–10 record. He earned several accolades, including All-area and All-North Suburban Conference First-Team honors.
Path to Baseball
After high school, Paul DeJong attended Illinois State University, majoring in biomedicine/pre-med while playing college baseball for the Redbirds. He was a preferred walk-on and made an immediate impact as a freshman, batting .260 in 100 at-bats. His performance improved significantly in his sophomore year, where he batted .349 and was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference First-Team. DeJong’s strong showing in college baseball led to his selection by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2015 MLB draft. He chose not to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates, who had drafted him earlier, opting to return to Illinois State for another year.
Paul DeJong Career
Early Career (2017-2018)
DeJong signed with the St. Louis Cardinals for $200,000 and made his professional debut with the Johnson City Cardinals in the Rookie-level Appalachian League. He quickly moved up to the Peoria Chiefs in Single-A, where he batted .316 in 66 games. In 2016, he played for the Springfield Cardinals in Double-A and was selected as a Texas League Mid-Season All-Star. DeJong’s strong performance earned him a promotion to the major leagues in 2017, where he made his debut on May 28 against the Colorado Rockies. He hit a home run on his first swing, becoming the ninth player in Cardinals history to do so. DeJong finished his rookie season with a batting average of .285, 25 home runs, and 65 RBIs, placing second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.
Breakthrough (2019)
In 2019, DeJong solidified his status as a key player for the Cardinals. He was selected to the All-Star Game and had a standout season, finishing with 30 home runs and 78 RBIs. Defensively, he led all major league shortstops in fielding percentage and assists. His performance earned him a nomination for the Gold Glove Award.
Notable Works and Milestones
DeJong’s signature work includes his impressive 2019 season, where he achieved both offensive and defensive milestones. He was recognized for his contributions to the team and was a critical player in the Cardinals’ lineup.
Paul DeJong Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Paul DeJong has received several nominations, including his nomination for the Gold Glove Award in 2019, recognizing his exceptional defensive skills as a shortstop.
Paul DeJong Awards Won
Paul DeJong was named an All-Star in 2019, highlighting his standout performance during that season.
Paul DeJong Family
Paul DeJong has a younger brother, Matthew, and a younger sister, Emma. He resides in Riviera Beach, Florida.
Personal Life
DeJong has been involved in various community initiatives, including supporting his alma mater, Illinois State University. In 2022, the university named its baseball hitting facility the “Paul DeJong Baseball Training Facility” in recognition of his contributions to Redbird Athletics. He also participated in a scientific study exploring the effects of temperature on baseball flight, showcasing his interest in the science behind the sport.
