Top 20 Prospects: #17 Chase DeJong RHP

#17 Chase DeJong RHP

Born: December 29, 1993 in Long Beach, California, US (Age 18)

Acquired Via: Draft. by the 2nd round of the 2012 MLB  Amateur Draft from Woodrow Wilson HS in Long Beach, California

Bats: Left Throws: Right Height: 6’ 4’’. Weight:185 lb.

Baseball America Ranking- Not Listed

Baseball Prospectus Ranking- TBA        

FanGraphs Ranking- Not Listed
MLB.com Ranking- Not Listed

2012 Stats and Analysis:

W-L	IP	ERA	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	BABIP	K%	BB%	FIP	HR/9
1-0	12.0	1.50	0.667	11.2	0.8	.259	34.9%	2.3%	0.95	0.00 (LOL)

DeJong was terrific this year, in his very short stint with the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays. Stats can be skewed when you pitch a low amount of innings, and play in the lower level of the minors, just like #20 on the list, Tyler Gonzales. For example, that 0.00 HR/9 on DeJong will not stay that way. Many doubt that his K numbers will stay this way, and we’d sure hope so, but because of the type of pitcher he is, they most likely will see a drop of about 2-4 K/9.. There’s not much else to say other than that he was lights out in every aspect of the game,(though, once again, it was a very small sample size).

Scouting Report

To be honest, if we’re basing this on these stats alone, we wouldn’t know what his tendencies are, because of such a small sample size. So we must go further.

One thing that jumps out at me is his size. You always like a pitcher who is 6 feet, 4 inches. The part that scares me, is his weight. When you’re 6’4’’, you have to weigh more than 185 lbs to be very successful. It’s just too lanky; you need to build some muscle. With that being said, DeJong isn’t a power pitcher, as his fastball sits in the high 80s and sometimes rises to the low 90s. I’m sure the velocity will rise once he fills out his tall, lean frame, which gives him great upside. Dejong’s secondary pitches aren’t as lights out as some other prospects, but he uses his advanced head for the game to make up for it. With that advanced head comes the ability to make adjustments, and develop better than your average player.  He throws a hard, biting curve, and is just starting to throw a change up now.DeJong is different from other prospects because he doesn’t just go out there throwing, he’s a real smart pitcher. That is probably what is responsible for the superb stats. I’m not sure that will translate to the majors, and it may not even hold for higher levels of the minors, but right now, he has a ton of potential.

Where will he be in 2013, ETA? Projection?

Regardless of stats differentials, DeJong and Tyler Gonzales (#20), should be playing on the same team for most of next year. Extended Spring Training, then Bluefield/Vancouver appears to be where he’ll reside. I think his ETA is possibly late 2015, early 2016, but I also wouldn’t be too surprised if he took even longer. I think that only because DeJong has a lot of developing to do with his stuff.

My projection for DeJong is for him to be someone who gives you long relief, mop up duty, if I may. He’s that guy who will give you a start, but only if needed. As of right now, I would compare him to Dirk Hayhurst, with potential to have way more success, but as he improves, he could very well become similar to Carlos Villanueva.  He does have the potential to be a 3^rd or 4^th starter, but a lot of things will need to go right for Chase to get there.

If you have any comments or criticisms, leave them below.

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