Others want to believe he can get back to his All-Star self. However, after more late-season regression, DeJong decided to tear his batting stance down and start from scratch. Our hope was he would get a decent amount of at-bats, especially with [starter Tommy] Edman going to the [World Baseball Classic]. It became pretty clear that the club had soured on moving him. He has 813 plate appearances of 77 wRC+ this decade. What went wrong for Paul DeJong in 2022? - stltoday.com But the math wasnt going to work. In order for Gorman to be used effectively, he would need to also see ample reps at second base, a position he has played professionally for just over a year. Wainwright is scheduled to make a second rehab start with Springfield, which will come on the road at Wichita. DeJong spent most of the offseason reworking his approach at the plate, opting for a minimal-stride stance that allows him to be better balanced and on time for pitches. . The Cardinals will send right-hander Jack Flaherty to the mound as they look to avoid a sweep vs. Seattle in the first leg of their three-city, west coast road trip. I think the ability to go down there and have a reset is important, but hes going to have to actually make physical change so that the result looks different.. Those realities hid trouble coming. Third baseman Nolan Arenado, who normally hits behind Goldschmidt, will bat behind Gorman. Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. The ball will tell you whats going on. DeJong, meanwhile, has been better in Triple-A, but is still struggling as hes hitting only .189/.244/.243 with a .487 OPS in 41 plate appearances. The Cardinals couldnt justify waiting any longer. FanGraphs has a projected playing time of only 15 percent at the shortstop position in St. Louis for Paul DeJong, while Tommy Edman owns an 81 percent projected 81 percent playing time in the same infield slot. I would argue that outside of his often-cited, never duplicated rookie season, his former production levels arent all that exciting. Marmol said the Cards have a plan that includes weight room work and conditioning exercises to ease Edman back into Spring Training following his 16-hour flight from Tokyo. Inside the Clubhouse: Did the Cardinals make a mistake with Paul DeJong? Cardinals Insider Provides Positive Adam Wainwright Update. I knew if I did my job down there, I would get a chance back up here. Very exciting for an organization that hasnt had a power hitter at the position since well, ever. DeJong, whose return to the majors with the Cardinals looked to be in serious jeopardy for more than just fleeting moments, stepped to the plate against Holmes, whose career had taken off in 2022 beyond most anyones wildest imagination. Video by Derrick Goold. Then, when Sosa was moved, DeJong returned to the majors to give it another go. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said the team plans to activate DeJong soon, possibly as early as this weekend. Paul DeJong is back. Paul DeJong #11 of the St. Louis Cardinals up to bat against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on April 16, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. By the middle of the month, he was the closer for the Yankees, the team that just didnt seem to lose. They locked up their guy, hoping and believing that he would at least be an above-average hitter and they had faith they could teach him how to play the position defensively. He was sent down to Triple-A Memphis, lost. What went wrong for Paul DeJong in 2022? He, John Mozeliak, Oliver He struck out three and threw a total of 59 pitches (40 strikes). Given his recent struggles in previous years, there may not be a clear path back for the former slugger. (Last updated: April 18), Monday vs. San Francisco: LHP Jordan Montgomery (2-2, 4.84) vs. TBA, Tuesday vs. San Francisco: RHP Jake Woodford 1-2, 6.05) vs. TBA, Wednesday vs. San Francisco: LHP Steven Matz (0-3, 6.55) vs. TBA. We can talk about hard-hitting balls, hard contact, but you guys can look at the numbers just like we can, and hes just not getting it done in that standpoint. Unfortunately, that's not the way things worked out.. In his return to the lineup, DeJong will hit ahead of rookie Jordan Walker, who got a day off on Saturday and is batting .271 with 11 RBIs in 19 games to start his MLB career. Over his four starts this season, Flexen has allowed 22 hits and 15 runs in 17 1/3 innings. The journeyman Motter, who has opened eyes with his versatility and power this spring, is the only member of that group capable of playing the middle infield. What Holmes has been most of the season was not what he was Friday night. Five things I think: 1. For me, its about breaking every situation down and not getting ahead of myself, DeJong said. He made his MLB debut in May 2017 and was named July's NL Rookie of the Month that same season. He and Tommy Edman were also taking reps at shortstop before batting practice. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. Paul DeJong, just three years after being an All-Star with the St. Louis Cardinals, is playing for the Memphis Redbirds, hoping to turn career around. Paul DeJong steps into opportunity he might have 'dreaded' before and He was sent to Triple-A in 2022 after batting .130 through 24 games into the season. MLB home run leader Aaron Judge smashed a baseball with an exit velocity of 116.9 mph in the first inning, but he hit the ball right at St. Louis left fielder Tyler ONeill, who caught it and somehow avoided any broken fingers. He was selected by the Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2015 MLB draft. Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong strikes out with two men on base to end the seventh inning against the Padres on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 at Petco Park in San Diego. Back from IL, Paul DeJong starts at shortstop as Cardinals close series He will be reevaluated after that start and would be considered for a return to the majors. Try a week on us. DeJong swung the bat well enough at Triple-A to get back to St. Louis, where he had home runs in his first two games and drove in the winning run with a double against the Yankees a few days later. ST. LOUIS After going 0-3 against the San Francisco Giants May 8 of this season, Paul DeJong's future as a Cardinal looked murky at best. However, DeJong may be close to making his way back. Flaherty has struck out 17 batters and walked 17 in 21 1/3 innings. And, yeah, he has way too many junk wax baseball cards. A day after DeJong was scratched from the lineup because of back pain, Cardinals manager Oli Marmol revealed that the shortstop will be sidelined for a few days with discomfort that prevents him from bending over to field grounders. Paul DeJong knows why he is back in the minors - KSDK He wasn't much better last . He also hit just six home runs with 25 RBI across 77 games and 237 plate appearances. Paul DeJong rejoins Cardinals in Washington - MLB For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. El Nio is likely coming back. A look at internal options for the rotation. What to do about Paul DeJong - Viva El Birdos SEATTLE -- Shortstop Paul DeJong, whose career has been marred by shocking struggles much of the past three seasons, is headed back to the Cardinals and could be activated as soon as Sunday, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Saturday. After an All-Star season in 2019, DeJong's offensive performance has slipped steadily over the last three years. Heres a simple rule that Ive followed in player analysis: players dont change later in their careers. The most likely solution? And even if he does, its possible that he has played his last game in a Cardinals uniform. However, hes been unable to carry over the momentum from that moment because of multiple injuries. I do think other teams had some interest; he could have been moved. Last chance! The Cardinals activated shortstop Paul DeJong on Sunday ahead of their road series finale against the Mariners. Back from IL, Paul DeJong starts at shortstop as Cardinals close series vs. Mariners: First Pitch. Generally speaking, a player that has been what hes been for a few thousand plate appearances is far more likely to remain what hes been than become something else. He returned in dramatic fashion on Sunday afternoon, batting 7 th and playing shortstop to give Tommy Edman a needed day off. St. Louis Cardinals' Paul DeJong (11) and Lars Nootbaar (21) celebrate a 4-3 victory over the New York Yankees following of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 5, 2022, in St. Louis. It was going to be a move where he went down. DeJong, who spent most of his rehab assignment with Class AAA Memphis, is starting at shortstop at batting seventh in his return to the lineup. A Communications Arts graduate from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, Rex claims to have JR Smith's conscience with his shot selection. For Marmol, both elements of DeJongs game carry equal weight. All-Star shortstop Paul DeJong apologized to Cardinals fans for his minor-league demotion, vowing to come back "stronger than ever" when he returns from Triple-A Memphis. Of the four hits he allowed, two here homers. He busted out quickly and then tanked again. Get viral MLB graphics, memes, rumors and trending news delivered right to your inbox with the Clutch Newsletter. It seemed very likely that once DeJong started facing the worlds best pitching again, his K rate would climb back up to 30%.