NORMAL, Ill. – Former Illinois State star Paul DeJong made a splash in his Major League Baseball debut on May 28 when, in his first big league plate appearance, the former Redbird cleared the left-field fence with a pinch-hit home run.
DeJong became the ninth St. Louis Cardinal to homer in his first at-bat when he connected against MLB saves leader Greg Holland. He also became the second Illinois State alum to homer in a big league game, joining Redbird legend Dave Bergman.
Since then, DeJong has found steady playing time at second base, even after the return of Kolten Wong, whose disabled-list stint prompted DeJong's call-up. To date, DeJong has appeared in 12 games and posted a .244 batting average and .390 slugging percentage.
DeJong went 2-for-4 with a double in his first starting assignment on May 29. He was on board for Adam Wainwright's two-run homer in a 2-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 2 and he drove in a pair of runs in the Cardinals' 7-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs in a nationally-televised game on June 4.
DeJong has played primarily at second base, with one start at shortstop. He's played near-perfect defense, with just one error on his Major League resume.
DeJong is one of 10 former Redbirds currently playing affiliated professional baseball. They include:
Neal Cotts | Triple-A | Syracuse Chiefs (Washington Nationals)
- Currently 1-2 with a 3.68 ERA over 22 games.
- Has not allowed an earned run over past four appearances, spanning 3.2 innings.
Ryan Court | Triple-A | Pawtucket Red Sox (Boston Red Sox)
- Batting .285/.357/.461 with five home runs and 25 RBIs in 44 games in the International League.
- Went 2-for-5 with a double, triple and three RBIs in a 7-3 win over Buffalo June 9.
Chad Hinshaw | Triple-A | New Orleans Baby Cakes (Miami Marlins)
- Hitting .281/.403/.469 in 22 games after signing a minor-league contract on May 18.
- Homered and scored three runs in a 15-11 loss at Omaha June 11.
Brock Stewart | Triple-A | Oklahoma Dodgers (Los Angeles Dodgers)
- Made season debut at Rancho Cucamonga May 27 after starting the season on the disabled list; started first game at Triple-A on June 1.
- Pitched three scoreless innings with four strikeouts against the Iowa Cubs June 6.
Eric Aguilera | Double-A | Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers)
- Hitting .225/.328/.360 in 55 games with 12 doubles, five home runs and 23 RBIs in the Texas League.
- Went 3-for-5 with a home run in a 13-2 win over Northwest Arkansas on May 31.
Will Headean | Class A | Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego Padres)
- Currently 1-3 with a 5.62 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 49.2 innings pitched.
- Pitched two scoreless relief innings in an 8-4 win over Lansing June 10.
Jeremy Rhoades | Class A Advanced | Inland Empire 66ers (Los Angeles Angels)
- Owns a 3-3 record with five saves in 19 appearances.
- Recorded eight outs with five strikeouts in 2.2 perfect relief innings June 6 against Visalia.
Ryan Koziol | Class A | Augusta GreenJackets (San Francisco Giants)
- Currently on the 60-day disabled list.
Jean Ramirez | Rookie League | Princeton Rays (Tampa Bay Rays)
- Has not yet appeared in a game in 2017.
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