Chase Louis De Jong (born December 29, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. De Jong was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2nd round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Twins, Houston Astros, and Pittsburgh Pirates. He throws a fastball, cut fastball, slider, curve, and change-up.[1]
Chase De Jong | |
---|---|
Free agent | |
Pitcher | |
Born: Long Beach, California, U.S. | December 29, 1993|
Bats: Left Throws: Right | |
MLB debut | |
April 5, 2017, for the Seattle Mariners | |
MLB statistics (through 2023 season) | |
Win–loss record | 8–12 |
Earned run average | 5.42 |
Strikeouts | 140 |
Stats at Baseball Reference | |
Teams | |
Career
editToronto Blue Jays
editDe Jong was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays out of Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California in the second round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.[2] After signing for a bonus of $620,300,[3] De Jong was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays and made 6 relief appearances for the team, posting a 1–0 record with a 1.50 earned run average and 15 strikeouts over 12 innings, with only 1 walk.[4] He was promoted to the Bluefield Blue Jays prior to the start of the 2013 season, and made 13 appearances for the team, 10 of which were starts. In 2013, De Jong posted a 2–3 record with an ERA of 3.05 and 66 strikeouts over 56 innings pitched.[4] In 2014, he was promoted to the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts.[3] De Jong made 23 appearances for Lansing in 2014, 21 of which were starts, and compiled a record of 1–6 with a 4.82 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 97 innings pitched.[4] De Jong started the 2015 season in Lansing, making 14 starts and posting a 7–4 record, 3.13 ERA, and 77 strikeouts in 86+1⁄3 innings.[4]
Los Angeles Dodgers
editDeJong was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 2, 2015, for cash.[5] In 11 appearances (10 starts) for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes he was 4–3 with a 4.86 ERA.[4] He struck out six in six innings for the Quakes in the opening game of the California League championship series.[6] The Dodgers invited him to major league spring training in 2016.[7] To start the 2016 season, he was promoted to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League,[8] where he was selected to the mid-season all-star team.[9] In Tulsa, he developed a cut fastball under the tutelage of pitching coach Bill Simas.[1] After the season, he was named to the postseason all-star team and honored as the Texas League Pitcher of the Year.[10] In 25 starts for the Drillers he was 14–5 with a 2.86 ERA, earning him a late season promotion to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, where he allowed one run in 5+1⁄3 innings in his one start.[11] The Dodgers added him to their 40-man roster after the season.[12]
Seattle Mariners
editOn March 1, 2017, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for minor leaguers Drew Jackson and Aneurys Zabala.[13] The Mariners added him to the major league roster on April 3, 2017.[14] He made his major league debut against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston on April 5, 2017, gaining the loss by giving up a three-run home run to George Springer in bottom of the 13th inning in the Astros' 5–3 victory over the Mariners.[15] After the game, De Jong was optioned to the Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League after the Mariners activated Dillon Overton from the paternity list.[16]
Minnesota Twins
editOn July 30, 2018, De Jong was traded to the Minnesota Twins along with infielder Ryan Costello for pitcher Zach Duke.[17] He was called up in September of that year.[18] On January 30, 2019, De Jong was designated for assignment after the signing of Martin Perez was made official. He was outrighted on February 6. DeJong had his contract selected on April 6, 2019.[19] After a game against the Mets where he gave up 4 earned runs, 1 home run, and 3 walks in 1 inning pitched,[20] he was sent back down to Triple-A Rochester.[21] DeJong was outrighted off the roster on April 26, 2019.
Sugar Land Skeeters
editOn July 22, 2019, De Jong signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent following the season. On April 1, 2020, De Jong re-signed with the Skeeters for the 2020 season.
Houston Astros
editOn August 3, 2020, the Houston Astros acquired the rights to De Jong from the Sugar Land Skeeters. On August 23, 2020, De Jong was selected to the active roster.[22] In 3 appearances for the Astros, De Jong struggled to a 14.73 ERA. On October 30, De Jong elected free agency.
Pittsburgh Pirates
editOn January 5, 2021, De Jong signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.[23] On May 30, De Jong was selected to the active roster.[24] He made his season debut as the Pirates’ starting pitcher against the Colorado Rockies, going 5.0 innings while only allowing 1 run. De Jong was placed on the injured list with left knee inflammation on July 20 after being hit in the knee by a line drive off the bat of Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta.[25] On July 28, De Jong underwent season-ending surgery on the injury.[26] In 9 starts for Pittsburgh, he has worked to a 1-4 record and 5.77 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 43.2 innings pitched. On November 5, 2021, De Jong was outrighted off of the 40-man roster[27] and elected free agency the next day.
On March 16, 2022, De Jong signed a minor league contract to return to the Pirates organization.[28] Assigned to the Indianapolis Indians of the Triple-A International League to begin the year, he combined with Austin Brice and Yerry De Los Santos to throw a no-hitter on April 14.[29] On April 22, the Pirates selected De Jong's contract.[30] On August 30, De Jong earned his first career save after closing out a game against the Milwaukee Brewers with 1+2⁄3 scoreless innings.[31] He made 42 appearances out of the bullpen for Pittsburgh, registering a 6-3 record and 2.64 ERA with 59 strikeouts and 1 save in 71.2 innings of work.
De Jong began the 2023 season working out of the Pirates' bullpen, but struggled to a 10.61 ERA with 5 strikeouts in 5 games. On May 9, 2023, De Jong was designated for assignment following the promotion of Josh Palacios.[32] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Indianapolis on May 11.[33] In 5 outings for Indianapolis, he recorded a 2.84 ERA and 1.89 WHIP and 7:5 K:BB. De Jong was selected back to the active roster on June 4.[34] He allowed six runs on five hits and a walk in two innings of work before he was designated for assignment again on June 9 after Canaan Smith-Njigba was added to the roster.[35] He again cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A on June 11.[36] On October 2, De Jong elected free agency.
Personal life
editOn December 1, 2018, De Jong married Christina Langer, daughter of golfer Bernhard Langer.[37]
He is the cousin of former Blue Jays pitcher Jordan De Jong.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b "After the initial shock of being traded, right-hander Chase De Jong is excited to join the Mariners". The Seattle Times. March 2, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
- ^ Dakers, Tom (June 5, 2012). "Blue Jays 6th Pick in the 2012 Draft: Chase DeJong". bluebirdbanter.com. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
- ^ a b c Elliott, Bob (May 14, 2014). "Blue Jays prospect Chase De Jong following cousin's path". torontosun.com. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Chase De Jong Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
- ^ Weisman, Jon (July 2, 2015). "Dodgers acquire minor-leaguers Chase DeJong and Tim Locastro". Dodgers Insider. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ Norris, Bill (September 17, 2015). "Quakes rout San Jose Giants in Game 1 of Cal League finals". Inland Empire Daily Bulletin. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
- ^ Gurnick, Ken (February 1, 2016). "Dodgers invite 3 RHPs to Spring Training". mlb.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
- ^ Lewis, Barry (April 4, 2016). "Drillers' roster set for season opener". Tulsaworld.com. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
- ^ Stephen, Eric (June 14, 2016). "Alex Verdugo, Willie Calhoun among 9 Texas League All-Stars for Double-A Tulsa". SB Nation. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
- ^ Stephen, Eric (August 31, 2016). "Chase De Jong named Texas League Pitcher of the Year". SB Nation. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ^ "Chase De Jong Register statistics & history". Baseball Reference.
- ^ Gurnick, Ken (November 18, 2016). "De Jong among 3 added to Dodgers' 40-man roster". mlb.com. Archived from the original on November 19, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
- ^ Osborne, Cary (March 1, 2017). "Dodgers acquire two promising prospects from Seattle and clear a spot on 40-man". Dodgers Insider. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
- ^ Fiddler, JJ (April 3, 2017). "LB In MLB: Chase De Jong On Seattle Mariners Opening Day Roster". Gazette's Sports. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
- ^ "Seattle Mariners at Houston Astros Box Score, April 5, 2017". Baseball Reference. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
- ^ Johns, Greg. "Mariners activate Overton from paternity list". Seattle Mariners. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
- ^ "Mariners Acquire LHP Zach Duke from Minnesota". MarinersPR. July 30, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
- ^ "New Twins pitcher Chase De Jong brings his clubs to new club". Star Tribune.
- ^ Zencka, TC (April 6, 2019). "Twins Select Contract Of Chase De Jong, DFA Tyler Austin". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
- ^ "Chase De Jong Stats". Baseballreference.com. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
- ^ "Twins call up Andrew Vasquez, send Chase De Jong to minors". Startribune.com. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
- ^ "Astros Place Yordan Alvarez On 45-Day Injured List". MLB Trade Rumors. August 23, 2020.
- ^ "Pirates Sign Chase De Jong To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. January 6, 2021.
- ^ "Pirates Select Chase de Jong, Designate Ildemaro Vargas". May 30, 2021.
- ^ "Pirates notebook: Chase de Jong placed on IL after taking hit on left knee". July 20, 2021.
- ^ "Pirates' Chase de Jong: Undergoes season-ending surgery". July 28, 2021.
- ^ "Pirates outright seven players; Southpaw Chasen Shreve elects free agency". November 6, 2021.
- ^ "Pirates Re-Sign Chase De Jong To Minor League Deal". March 16, 2022.
- ^ "That's a No-No! Three Indians Hurlers Combine to No-Hit Saints".
- ^ McDonald, Darragh (April 21, 2022). "Pirates Select Chase De Jong, Designate Luis Oviedo". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- ^ "Pirates' Chase De Jong: First career save". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Pirates' Chase De Jong: Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. May 9, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ^ "Pirates' Chase De Jong: Clears waivers". cbssports.com. May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ "Pirates' Chase De Jong: Back with parent club". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
- ^ "Pirates' Chase De Jong: Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
- ^ "Pirates' Chase De Jong: Outrighted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. June 12, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
- ^ Strege, John (May 18, 2018). "Bernhard Langer's family has added a Major League Baseball player to its roster". golfdigest.com. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
External links
edit- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet