Paul DeJong

Player Information

Paul Sterling DeJong (də-YUNG; born August 2, 1993) is an American professional baseball shortstop and third baseman who is 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 Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2015 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2017 with the Cardinals, and led National League (NL) shortstops in home runs that season with 25. In 2019, he was an All Star, and led NL shortstops in fielding percentage, assists, putouts, and double plays.
Full Name :
Paul Sterling DeJong
Birthdate :
2 August 1993
Birthplace :
Orlando, Florida, USA
Gender :
Male
Residence :
Riviera Beach, Florida, USA
Nationality :
United States
Parents :
Keith DeJong (Father), Andrea DeJong (Mother)
Education :
Antioch Community High School (High School), Illinois State University (College)
Career Started :
2017
Notable Achievements :
All-Star (2019)
Current Team :
Free agent
Previous Teams :
St. Louis Cardinals (From 2017, To 2023), Toronto Blue Jays (From 2023, To 2023), San Francisco Giants (From 2023, To 2023), Chicago White Sox (From 2024, To 2024), Kansas City Royals (From 2024, To 2024), Washington Nationals (From 2025, To Present)
Drafted :
2015
Drafted by :
St. Louis Cardinals
Active Status :
From - 2017, To - Present

Biography

Paul DeJong is a professional baseball player known for his role as a shortstop in Major League Baseball (MLB). He began his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, making his debut in 2017. Over the years, he has played for several teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays and the Washington Nationals. DeJong has an impressive career batting average and has achieved All-Star status. His path in baseball reflects both successes and challenges, revealing much about his resilience and skill.

Early Life

Paul DeJong exhibited a passion for baseball from a young age, honing his skills throughout his childhood. He attended high school where he continued to excel in the sport, ultimately earning a spot on the collegiate baseball team at the University of Illinois.

During his time there, DeJong established himself as a talented shortstop, receiving recognition for his outstanding performance on the field. His dedication and hard work paid off when he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 38th round of the 2014 MLB Draft, although he chose not to sign.

Instead, he continued to develop his skills in college before being selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 4th round of the 2015 MLB Draft, marking a noteworthy milestone in his baseball career.

Family Life

Paul DeJong maintains a private family life, with little public information available about his family members. He is known to keep details about his parents and siblings under wraps, reflecting his preference for privacy.

While DeJong is active on Instagram, where he occasionally shares insights into his personal interests, specifics about his marital status and whether he has children remain undisclosed.

This suggests that he balances the demands of his professional baseball career with personal commitments, though further details are not widely documented.

Career

Paul DeJong was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 4th round of the 2015 MLB Draft and made his major league debut on May 28, 2017.

Over his career, he has played for several teams, including the Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, and currently the Washington Nationals.

DeJong has a career batting average of .228, with impressive totals of 140 home runs and 402 RBIs, highlighting his power-hitting capabilities.

Significantly, he was named an All-Star in 2019 and finished as a runner-up for the Rookie of the Year award in 2018, marking a strong start to his career.

However, in recent seasons, he has faced challenges with injuries and performance, experiencing a decline in his batting average to .204 in 2025 after a more productive .264 in 2023.

Net Worth

Paul DeJong’s net worth is estimated at approximately $28.75 million, primarily derived from his Major League Baseball contracts.

Throughout his career, he has drawn notable salaries including $9.17 million in 2023, $7.6 million in 2022, $5 million in 2021, $3 million in 2020, and $1.5 million in 2019.

He is currently under contract through 2025 with a $1 million deal.

Endorsements and personal investments may also contribute to his total wealth.